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We must be guided by the education sector to deliver effective prevention programmes to young people
YGAM Chief Executive Lee Willows reflects on some of the key topics to emerge from three reports published last week and highlights the valuable contribution the charity is making.
Last week was a significant week for everyone connected the gambling industry. Reading the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) annual progress report; The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report and the Lords Select Committee report, it was pleasing to read these reports all featured insight from people with direct experience of the tragic harm that gambling can cause some individuals, such as the YGAM Founders. As Chief Executive of the YGAM charity and personally as someone who lost everything to a gambling addiction, I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute my insight and experiences. Such inclusion would have been unheard of five-years ago. Having three incredibly helpful reports published in quick succession over a period of five days is in many ways helpful and timely as YGAM continues to evolve our strategy. I congratulate everyone involved in producing three fascinating reports that will inform the debate moving forward.
At YGAM, we strongly believe that prevention, including education is an essential component to reduce gambling-related harms. We engage with the education sector daily and we are constantly listening to the needs of teachers, practitioners and young people. It is very clear from these conversations that teachers and practitioners need and appreciate our resources more than ever. The feedback we get from teachers, practitioners and young people and the insight from external evaluations is overwhelmingly positive and there is an enormous demand for information on gambling and gaming. Whilst it was pleasing to see education feature in all three reports, the voices of the professionals working in that sector should also be taken into consideration. We must continue to be guided by professionals working in the education sector to deliver effective prevention programmes to young people.
The focus on the blurred lines between gaming and gambling is welcomed. The YGAM workshops help build digital resilience and educate people on the different types of games accessible to children. We agree with the DCMS Select Committee and the Children’s Commissioner that loot boxes that contain the element of chance should not be sold to children under 18. The concern about allowing children to access loot boxes is that it is conditioning them to gambling behaviour from an early age. Building on our discussions with DCMS we look forward to contributing to the government’s call to action on loot boxes which will hopefully lead to consideration of an appropriate regulatory intervention.
The debate around gambling advertising and the impact it has on younger generations is imperative. You do not have to work in this sector to notice that gambling adverts dominate the promotional spaces at most sporting events. The YGAM resources tackle this topic head on as we continue to raise awareness of the potential harms and the support available. We believe concerns about marketing and sponsorship should be addressed by evidence-based analysis that puts the safety of young people first and we look forward to contributing to this debate.
When the Gambling Commission launched the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling-Related Harms, there was real hope for change and there has been some positive change; yes more can be done and some actions need to move in a more expedient manner, but change does take time. I also worry that in the desire to affect structural change, or radically change strategic direction part way through a national strategy may result in valuable insight being lost. I do see many people and organisations coming together to deliver the strategy which is superb and that is where we will continue to have a relentless focus.
Certainly in my time in YGAM I have seen Safer Gambling teams within operators increase from one employee, who led Safer Gambling work on a part-time bases, to now large Safer Gambling teams with twenty plus employees working full-time in this area of work. In that time, I have also seen and been fortunate to work alongside others who have been affected by gambling-harms set up their own organisations and I have witnessed the rise of passionate campaigners who demand change, often following tragic circumstances. At the heart of all this work is a shared commitment to reduce-harms and it would be so oxygenating if more time can be spent finding common goals and delivering the national strategy.
As a prevention charity we will continue to focus on the delivery of education, building and sharing insight and demonstrating impact. This is a crucial period for the future of this sector and everyone at YGAM looks forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholder groups to ensure all young and vulnerable people are safe from gaming and gambling related harms.
Finally, YGAM has published its strategic plan 2019 – 2021 and within our annual review filed with the Charity Commission and Companies House we share progress against our strategic goals and insight. However next week, we will have a dedicated page on our website which will also show this progress, insight, and our impact in a succinct manner. I am incredibly proud of the YGAM team and many colleagues from all parts of the sector (inc charities, trade bodies, operators, regulators, ABSG, DCMS, teachers, young people, EbEs); working hard to make a difference in this space.
Lee Willows
Chief Executive, YGAM
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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
BGaming invites players to roll back the years and turn up the heat with the all-new Hot Chilli Bells slot. The game combines the best-performing features of previous hits like the Wild from the Elvis Frog Series, the Expanding Wild from Fruit Million, and the ability to choose your paylines from the popular Burning Chilli X slot.
Kendoo, has launched its most feature-rich title to date with the release of jungle adventure slot Wild Cats Fire: Hold and Win. Set against an exotic jungle backdrop teeming with hidden treasures, the game delivers a visually stunning and immersive slot experience. Wild Cats Fire offers untamed excitement with 20 pay lines, a jackpot accumulation mechanic, and engaging features that keep players entertained with every spin.
Betsoft has released Fury Dragon – Hold & Win, a thrilling new video slot that brings the power and mystique of the East to life. This 5-reel, 3-row slot game immerses players in a fiery world of golden riches and fierce dragons, offering an exciting gameplay experience with every spin. Set against a backdrop of burnished gold and imperial red, Fury Dragon – Hold & Win invites players to seek the legendary Golden Dragon, whose fiery power can bring about incredible rewards.
El Gordo is dead—long live the slaughter. Nolimit City is back in the wild, wild west with Tombstone Slaughter, the latest chapter in the beloved Tombstone Universe a sequel to the wildly popular Tombstone R.I.P and Tombstone No Mercy. This one is slightly more special with its record breaking Max Win potential—the highest ever seen on a Nolimit City slot! This is yet another sequel that Nolimit City has decided to bless their fans with, following the release of xWays Hoarder 2 in 2025. And this is only the beginning..
As Chinese New Year approaches, Zillion Games is proud to present a selection of games that reflect the richness of this celebrated holiday: Golden Dragon Deluxe. Golden Dragon Deluxe invites you to meet the majestic Golden Dragon, a symbol of fortune and prosperity, in this thrilling slot with 25 win lines and a 95.25% RTP. Snow Dragon. Snow Dragon offers 25 paylines and three types of wild symbols, with thrilling features like Hold and Ring Mode, where respins lock valuable symbols for big rewards. During free spins, a giant shifting wild moves across the reels, activated by collecting 3 scatters in the base game!
Step into a land of magical thrills and captivating rewards in Mystic Multipliers, the latest slot game launch from Slammer Studios. Mystic Multipliers is packed full of Druid-enhanced slot game features including Cascading Reels, Free Spins and of course, enchanting Progressive Multipliers. This spell-binding slot invites players to explore a world of magic and mystery where eight or more matching symbols pay anywhere on the reels.
“Geilomat” is already available, an intentionally horrendous looking 5×4, 25 payline slot and the latest title from Hölle Games. A Geilomat (in German) is a machine that’s absolutely over the top bonkers, crazy, and yet somehow cool. It also must be completely tacky and very loud (colour and noisewise), so the Hölle team spent a lot of time making sure it looks appropriately awful- and they have really succeeded.
TaDa Gaming is rounding up the year with pots of gold and a wealth of wins in Money Pot. The feature loaded slot offers Scatters, Multipliers, Mystery Symbols, Jackpots and the Golden Lock & Respin feature, in a three reels, three rows, three fixed paylines release. Traditional Yuanbao ingots bring multipliers from 0.5x to 10x depending on their colour.
Booming Games are signing off the first month of the New Year in spectacular style, thanks to the launch of the brand spanking new slot: Jester Bells Bonanza. The latest arrival comes hot on the heels of this month’s Wild Wings of Phoenix Deluxe’s release, and the results are just as spectacular. Jester Bells Bonanza is a 6×5 game that pays anywhere, with plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
Gaming Corps is excited to announce the launch of the Gates of Hellfire slot. Prepare for a journey into the underworld’s darkest depths in a game, unlike any other slot on the market. The Gates of Hellfire slot uses a unique payment system, requiring players to defeat a sinister selection of demon enemies on the reels to secure wins, with a maximum prize of 5,000x the player’s stake up for grabs.
Scorching gameplay awaits in Blueprint Gaming’s latest instalment to its beloved game series, Cash Strike Hotstepper Megaways™, offering an array of mechanics further boosted by expanded reels, increasing the chance of lavish wins up to a fierce 50,000x the original bet. Returning to a classic 3×3 grid, a feast of fruit symbols adorn the matrix alongside iconic flaming gold coins, with each of the three reels showing up to five symbols at once and offering as many as 125 different wins per spin.
Red Rake Gaming presents Hawaiitopia, its new and exciting video slot that transports players to a tropical island full of excitement and wins. With innovative features, big multipliers and delightful fruits, Hawaiitopia provides a unique gaming experience. Thanks to its 7×7 format, Cascading Reels and Cluster Wins, each spin presents a chance to win. By lining up 5 or more consecutive identical symbols, either horizontally or vertically, players can land successive wins that gradually accumulate to make up the final win.
Right in time for the Season of Love, Amusnet is glad to unveil its newest Online Casino portfolio addition, Diamond Plus – Valentine’s Edition. The game offers a different perspective on one of the company’s most popular video slots, Diamond Plus. It will be available throughout the entire year, ready to bring some romance to everyone who needs it. The dazzling new game release combines a visually pleasing environment, enchanting ambient music, and a variety of vibrant symbols across the 5 reels and 10 fixed paylines.
The post Week 5/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission paves the way for Kambi to provide its premium sports betting solutions in Las Vegas and across the Silver State
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”), the home of premium sports betting solutions, has received approval for its Nevada gaming licence applications, marking a significant step towards launching in one of the world’s most iconic betting markets. The Nevada Gaming Commission approved Kambi’s application for Manufacturer & Distributor Licenses and an Information Services License, following a unanimous recommendation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (“NGCB”) earlier this month.
The licences will enable Kambi to provide its industry-leading sportsbook technology and services to nonrestricted gaming establishments in Las Vegas and across the state of Nevada for the first time. With limited B2B competition in the state due to the high regulatory requirements, Nevada presents Kambi with future growth opportunities in line with its strategy to expand its footprint across the Americas.
Kambi has been at the forefront of the regulated US sports betting industry since 2018, processing the first legal online wager outside of Nevada following the repeal of PASPA. This latest achievement underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class sportsbook solutions while adhering to the highest standards of regulatory compliance and corporate probity.
Werner Becher, CEO of Kambi, said: “Securing approval for our licences in Nevada is an important milestone for Kambi and a testament to our market-leading technology, regulatory expertise and corporate integrity. Nevada is widely known as the gold standard for betting and gaming regulation, insisting on a standard that few companies can meet, and is therefore recognition of Kambi’s unwavering commitment to excellence. We would like to thank both the Commission and NGCB for their thorough review and approval of our applications.”
The post Kambi Group plc secures licensing approval in Nevada appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Red Desert Games content developed by leading industry veterans set to further add to Light & Wonder’s innovative offering.
Red Desert Games launches its new and innovative slot content via the Light & Wonder content marketplace, through the Light & Wonder
Spark studio partner program.
Red Desert Games is an emerging slot studio founded by land-based and iGaming industry veterans. The young studio team members have over 100 years combined experience in the global slot industry and are now applying their substantial knowledge, experience, and deep passion for slots to create innovative and engaging content to delight and excite.
As part of this new agreement, iGaming content developed by Red Desert Games will be distributed exclusively across Canada and the USA to Light & Wonder’s extensive operator network and elsewhere around in other key regulated markets via Light & Wonder’s Infinity aggregation platform.
The addition of Red Desert Games to the Light & Wonder Spark studio partner program’s roster of premium game studios further cements Light & Wonder as one of the world’s leading content marketplaces. It demonstrates once again Light & Wonder’s ongoing commitment to diversifying its content offering, as well as providing an opportunity for independent studios to significantly boost their international reach.
Edgar Pau, Co-Founder of Red Desert Games said: “We are extremely excited to be selected by Light & Wonder to join their partnership program. Light & Wonder has an unrivalled footprint and is the perfect fit to distribute our range of innovative and engaging games to its global network.”
“We have been extremely impressed by the whole Light & Wonder team and our interactions to-date. Their product feedback, enthusiasm to work with us and recognition of the uniqueness of our content has given us encouragement that they are the right partner to launch us into the global market.”
Steve Mayes, Senior Director of Partners at Light & Wonder, added: We are delighted to welcome Red Desert to the Light & Wonder Spark studio partner program. Our program is committed to collaborating with the most forward-thinking and innovative new studios, and Red Desert’s distinctive game concepts, inventive mechanics, and meticulously crafted, visually captivating titles truly embody these values. We are excited to support their global expansion and look forward to a promising and successful journey together.
The post Red Desert Games Signs Deal with Light & Wonder appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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