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YGAM launch ‘Parent Hub’ as university research highlights loot box danger amongst children
National charity, YGAM has joined with research teams from Newcastle and Loughborough Universities to help parents and carers understand the danger of loot boxes, with one young respondent in the Economic and Social Research Council funded project confirming how he spent nearly £500 buying packs of random cards.
The expert insight and advice is being posted on YGAM’s new ‘Parent Hub’ website www.parents.ygam.org. The hub which has been developed thanks to funding received from Lottoland, GVC and Playtech, provides families with the resources, information and activities to help build digital resilience and safeguard children. ‘Parent Hub’ helps explain why children are drawn to purchase loot boxes, ranging from the surprise and suspense of opening a box and the desire to win something rare, to receiving specific items that deliver an in-game advantage or boost their social status.
The research covers the potential harm loot boxes can cause, such as young people’s exposure to and normalisation of gambling style systems, as well as the emotional and financial harm from repeat spending – with one young person telling researchers how he spent nearly £500 in a mobile card game by buying packs of random cards, playing for up to seven hours a day. The advice covers how parents can take important steps to safeguard children, including the use of parental controls and identifying potential signs of harm.
“For some children, the act of opening a loot box is as important as what it contains” explains Dr James Ash, Reader in Technology, Space and Society at Newcastle University, who is leading the research. “Feelings of surprise and suspense lead to the repeat purchase of loot boxes. But this is often short-lived.
“Children and young people have told us how they feel disappointment, frustration, anger, and regret at loot box purchases, yet they are still driven to purchase again. This is concerning, given the deliberate design of these mechanisms – the visual stimulus, the randomised contents, and the very unfavourable odds for unboxing rare items – which can lead to repeat loot box purchases.”
Amanda Atkinson, Head of Parental Engagement at YGAM said the research will help inform and develop the charity’s educational programmes so that all young and vulnerable people are safe from gaming and gambling related harms. She stated: “Certainly the enormous variety of games and in-app purchases that are available can make it confusing for parents to keep on top of safety controls. Through our educational resources, we are focused on providing crucial information to parents so they can identify changes in behaviours and understand the effects this may have on mental and financial wellbeing.”
In collaboration with GamCare, YGAM is delivering the UK’s ground-breaking National Gambling Education and Prevention Programme. Supported by members of the Betting and Gaming Council, the £10 million programme will reach over 3 million young people to raise awareness of the risks of potential gaming and gambling related harms.
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Belatra
Belatra Introduces Big Bang 2, Igniting the Gaming Universe
Belatra, a prominent creator of inventive online slots, has turned its focus to the universe with its dynamic new slot, Big Bang 2.
Originating from the endless abyss, Big Bang 2 showcases a unique cascading system placed on an 8×8 grid. A successful combination is created when five or more matching celestial bodies align either horizontally or vertically, with every win causing a series of explosions and new symbols falling into position. Captivating imagery and a cutting-edge score enhance this celestial display.
The Black Hole is located at the center of the game and serves as a Wild symbol. It contains its own multiplier in the main game, rising by one every time it helps form a winning combination. When several Black Holes contribute to a win, their multipliers are summed and applied to the overall payout.
True Giants measuring between 2×2 and 5×5 can show up on the grid at any moment. Every one comes with a multiplier that matches its width. The larger the planet, the greater the reward. The Planet Rain ability can activate unexpectedly and changes an ordinary round into a significant occurrence by providing an immediate increase to all winning groups.
In every round, a Coin Spawn Zone triggers at three random locations. Planet detonations in this area emit Cosmic Coins worth between 1 and 100, which are consumed by the Black Hole that has the greatest multiplier on the field.
Landing three or more Black Holes on the grid activates five Free Games. Black Holes remain established until the bonus concludes, increasing in power with every cascade. The Coin Spawn Zone starts with four positions and increases by one cell after each spin, enhancing the opportunities for larger victories.
Hot Mode activates when three Black Holes land alongside a “+1” symbol. This mode has six high-intensity games with an expanding Coin Spawn Zone. Players can also choose to jump straight into the action by purchasing either the standard Bonus Games or the high-intensity Hot Mode. Whichever option they choose, the win potential in these modes is immense, reaching up to 10,000x the initial bet.
Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, said: “Big Bang 2 takes players on an unforgettable mission through deep space packed with rewarding mechanics, from merging Black Holes to expanding Coin Spawn Zones and win potential reaching 10,000x. This game is crafted for players who appreciate style, aesthetics, and the thrill of epic discoveries in the infinite expanse of gaming.”
The post Belatra Introduces Big Bang 2, Igniting the Gaming Universe appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Booming Games
Booming Games releases 64 Nuggets Hold and Win
Booming Games, a leading provider of premium gaming content, has unveiled 64 Nuggets Hold and Win, a thrilling new slot where players can dig for glittering treasures. Featuring a 5×5 grid and 30 fixed paylines, the game offers an impressive maximum win potential of 10,000x. Set in a mysterious gold mine with a distinctive art style, 64 Nuggets Hold and Win promises high-stakes excitement for players chasing big wins.
The game’s Gold Rush Respins feature elevates the action, locking winning symbols in place while the reels continue to spin. As symbols accumulate, multipliers can appear to boost payouts, keeping gameplay engaging and rewarding.
Adding further intensity, the Boom Blitz Hold & Win feature grants three respins and offers coin prizes of up to 1,000x. Special Boom Blitz symbols can either expand the grid to 8×8 or increase coin values up to 5x, raising the maximum win potential to a staggering 10,000x. Players can trigger this feature by landing five or more Cash Coins or by filling the Cart Collection Pot.
“Packed with stunning visuals, dynamic features, and powerful modifiers, 64 Nuggets Hold and Win delivers non-stop action,” said Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games.
“Players can chase golden rewards on every spin, while the Boom Blitz Hold & Win feature keeps excitement high and engagement strong. It’s a thrilling experience we’re proud to bring to our audience.”
64 Nuggets Hold and Win is now live and ready for players seeking their next big jackpot adventure.
The post Booming Games releases 64 Nuggets Hold and Win appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Energy Roulette
ENJOY unveils next-generation hybrid live experience Energy Roulette: Hold & Win
ENJOY, the innovative iGaming content developer, has expanded its Live portfolio with the launch of Energy Roulette: Hold & Win, a next-generation hybrid that blends classic live roulette with electrifying Hold & Win slot mechanics.
The game refreshes the timeless 37-cell roulette experience by adding two to seven randomly selected Lucky Numbers on each spin, each capable of triggering the Bonus Game for an extra layer of excitement.
At the heart of Energy Roulette lies a fully integrated 3×3 Hold & Win slot bonus, activated when the ball lands on a Lucky Number. Players begin with three spins, collecting Energy Balls and Jackpot Symbols worth 5x to 500x, alongside suspense-building Mystery Symbols. Each symbol locks in place and resets the spin counter, with a full grid triggering a 2x multiplier across all collected values.
The bonus feature also offers jackpot rewards of up to 4,000x, adding significant big-win potential for players seeking high-stakes thrills.
With its sleek, modern design and seamless fusion of roulette and slot-style gameplay, Energy Roulette: Hold & Win reinforces ENJOY’s commitment to pioneering hybrid live casino experiences.
“Energy Roulette: Hold & Win represents our vision for the future of live casino – classic gameplay elevated with the excitement and rewards of slot features,” said Tomass Dimza, Live Casino Product Owner at ENJOY Gaming.
“By embedding a full 3×3 Hold & Win bonus into live roulette, we’re giving players something familiar, but with a completely new level of engagement.”
The post ENJOY unveils next-generation hybrid live experience Energy Roulette: Hold & Win appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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