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Affordability checks will undermine the safer gambling success story, argues Gambling Business Group CEO, Peter Hannibal
Peter Hannibal, chief executive of the cross-sector Gambling Business Group, has warned that the introduction of affordability checks as proposed by the UK Gambling Commission, will jeopardise the current low incidence of problem gambling and in the process undo much of the positive work that’s been achieved by the industry in partnership with its regulator and the wider stakeholder community, including the safer gambling agencies and charities.
Commenting on the Gambling Commission’s proposal that players should be required to provide evidence of affordability based on the highly controversial creation of a monthly discretionary spend ceiling – a figure which the cross-party think-tank the Social Market Foundation has recommended is set at £23 a week (£100 pcm) – Peter Hannibal said: “I would like to stress from the outset that although the Gambling Commission’s affordability proposal has been framed in relation to online players, it would be naïve in the extreme to assume that the principles and philosophy will not be extended to all gambling entertainment activities across all verticals including Adult Gaming Centres, Licensed Betting Offices and Bingo Clubs in some shape or form.
“While this proposal is wrong on virtually every level imaginable, the biggest concern for all those who genuinely care about safer gambling and continuing the UK industry’s internationally acclaimed success story in consistently maintaining problem gambling levels to below 1 percent for the last three decades, is the impact affordability checks will have on driving players away from regulated and responsible sites to unregulated offshore sites.
He added: “Currently the demand to play on unregulated sites is limited but the unintended and I assume unforeseen consequences of affordability checks will be to create such a market and then to sustain it.
“Make no mistake, this is prohibition by another name and wherever you look in the world prohibition has never worked and will never work, more than often creating exactly the set of problems that it sets out to address.”
Hannibal believes there’s a danger a proposal of this significance does not receive the necessary degree of scrutiny particularly in relation to its’ impact on safer gambling. He explained: “In December I contacted DCMS regarding what I feel was a balanced and logical set of Terms of Reference for the Review of Gambling, but pointing out that it was illogical for the Gambling Commission to be continuing their own unilateral consultation into what it refers somewhat euphemistically as ‘customer interaction requirements and guidance’.
“I argued that it would be more logical to include any proposals for controls on consumption – that could have a profound impact on the public – as part of the Government Review. It would also be in the public’s interest for proposals for such intrusions into personal affairs to be subject to the same Aim and Objectives as those DCMS have set out for the Review of the Act which appear free of preconceptions and well considered.
“The affordability proposal raises a huge range of quite fundamental ethical, legal and practical issues – not least a precedent for state intervention in consumer spending alongside a quite startling presumption that gambling entertainment, enjoyed responsibly by 99 percent of consumers, represents a public health issue way beyond that of tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption or obesity. As such it merits much deeper, evidence-based scrutiny.”
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Hölle Games Goes Live with Starcasino in the Netherlands, Bringing German-Crafted Slots to Dutch Players
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Hölle Games, the Berlin-based video slots studio with a proud “Made in Germany” identity, has officially launched its content with StarCasino.nl, one of the Netherlands’ most recognised online casino brands. This partnership marks an important step in the company’s expansion into regulated European markets and introduces Dutch players to Hölle Games’ distinctive blend of classic slot design and innovative creativity.
With this integration, StarCasino.nl’s Dutch customers can now experience Hölle Games’ most popular titles, including Fruits, Reel Wolf and Hellish Seven. Known for their striking character artwork, immersive themes and high-quality audio-visual design, the games combine a nostalgic slot feel with modern entertainment value.
The collaboration between Hölle Games and StarCasino.nl is built on a shared commitment to safe, responsible, and regulated entertainment. For StarCasino.nl, the addition of Hölle Games’ content strengthens its mission to offer Dutch players both variety and quality, with a focus on memorable gameplay experiences.
Robert Lenzhofer, CEO of Hölle Games, commented: “We are thrilled to bring our games to the Netherlands in partnership with StarCasino.nl. Dutch players will now be able to enjoy our titles, which combine German craftsmanship, creative design and reliable performance. This launch highlights our focus on delivering entertainment in regulated European markets and reflects our growing momentum as a studio.”
A spokesperson for StarCasino.nl, Pieter van den Bos, Director at Starcasino, added: “At Starcasino we want to bring our customers the best that online slots have to offer. By adding Hölle Games to our library, we are enriching our portfolio with content that is fresh, visually distinctive and highly entertaining. We are confident that Dutch players will embrace these titles just as much as audiences in other European markets.”
The partnership underlines Hölle Games’ position as a rising force in the iGaming industry and confirms Starcasino’s dedication to offering its community access to leading international content. Together, both brands are set to deliver a more engaging and enjoyable experience for players across the Netherlands.
The post Hölle Games Goes Live with Starcasino in the Netherlands, Bringing German-Crafted Slots to Dutch Players appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Tom Smallwood, Chief Commercial Officer at OpenSlots
The growth of AI in the industry is a talking point you cannot ignore. From sceptics to those convinced it will have a big role to play, AI dominates discourse. However, it is widely accepted that it will play a significant role in product development. In our industry, the biggest misconception is that AI will replace creativity in game development. In my experience, it has the power to do the exact opposite. I’ve watched countless studios struggle with the same challenge of transforming creative vision into market-ready slot games without requiring a six-figure budget a six-month timeline only to fail to achieve distribution. Yet that’s exactly what the traditional route to market looks like now.
AI is removing the technical barriers that risk keeping creative minds locked out of our industry. At OpenSlots, we’re beginning to see firsthand how AI can help turn a game creator’s ‘napkin sketch’ into a playable prototype in a fraction of the time.
The hidden costs of traditional slot development
The harsh reality facing game creators today is staggering. Developing and distributing even a basic slot requires substantial budgets and months of specialised expertise. Factor in regulatory compliance, RNG certification, and multi-platform optimisation, and smaller studios face insurmountable barriers.
These costs aren’t just financial, they affect the creative output too. When a single game requires months of mathematical modelling, extensive asset creation, development and technical integration it is inevitable that innovation stagnates. Game developers tend to play it safe, but even then, they risk not getting any ‘airtime’ in the face of the overwhelming quantity of games released by larger studios. The result is a market flooded with similar games, from the same providers, while innovative ideas never see daylight.
The OpenSlots approach
At OpenSlots, we are building a platform aimed at non-technical professions in which every element of the development process is optimised. Our AI-powered system lets operators and game designers create professional slot games through an agentic interface and AI-powered game creation workflows all on a tried and trusted RGS. You describe your vision, say, a high-volatility Norse mythology theme with cascading reels, and OpenSlots, backed by human expertise, handles everything from the creation of your game design document to the game build itself. We even have an WYSIWYG editor prior to publishing.
Real democratisation means accessible innovation
True democratisation isn’t just about making existing processes slightly easier, it is about changing who can participate. When we enable game creators to describe their vision in natural language and watch AI generate playable prototypes, we’re not replacing human creativity, we’re amplifying it. The most successful implementations don’t replace human expertise, they eliminate tedious and costly tasks that prevent creative professionals from focusing on innovation. This is as true for an operator as a studio. We do not see AI as a magic wand, to make everything easy, especially in a highly regulated industry. However, it is an enabler that can create a certain originality and independence for B2Cs and a voice to smaller game design studios.
Why this matters now
The timing for this transformation couldn’t be more critical. The slots market generates over half of total casino revenue, with operators facing pressure to deliver personalised, engaging content at speed. As mobile gaming dominates consumer spending and competition grows, the traditional development model can’t keep pace with market demands.
This creates an opportunity for platforms that can democratise game creation while maintaining quality and compliance. The industry needs solutions that allow rapid iteration and testing, branded content creation, and market-specific customisation, all without the costs that have historically limited who can participate in game development.
Building the future of game creation
The winners in this transformation won’t be the companies with the most advanced AI algorithms. They will be the ones who best understand how to apply AI practically to real challenges.
The future belongs to platforms that combine industry knowledge with cutting-edge AI capabilities. It’s not about auto-generating second rate game assets, just to for the sake of speed and cost, but leveraging the power of AI to amplify human expertise and give the chance for innovation. In many ways we are giving people the chance to make mistakes. And that, of course, is how we grow.
The question isn’t whether AI will transform gaming development. It’s whether we allow the broader ecosystem be part of that transformation or left behind by it.
The post AI isn’t replacing creativity in gaming – it is democratising it appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Bet on Games announces the expansion of its very own gaming ecosystem—positioned as a true “universe of games.” With a single API, operators gain access to more than a hundred titles across multiple genres: crash games, slots, lotteries, and hybrid formats. Each game is presented as a unique “planet” with its own character and dynamics, giving operators a broad spectrum of content and players a diverse gaming journey.
At the heart of this universe lie crash games—the driving force behind today’s industry growth.
- Aerobet is all about takeoff and risk. Players place their bets before launch, and as the airplane climbs, the multiplier rises. The challenge is to cash out before the plane disappears from the screen. Its simple mechanic, built around an ever-increasing multiplier, makes every round unpredictable and full of suspense.
- BarioJet takes players into an arcade-style adventure. Here, the hero with a jetpack keeps flying higher while the multiplier grows each second. The task is to secure the winnings before the character soars away. The fast pace and transparent mechanics turn every session into a thrilling test of reflexes.
In the slots category, Bet on Games continues to build on classic formats. A standout example is Monkey Magic 2: Choice—a 6-reel slot inspired by mythology. With its striking visual style and bonus features, it has become one of the central planets in the Bet on Games universe.
Key advantages of Bet on Games:
- Single API for seamless integration
- 100+ titles in the portfolio
- Familiar mechanics in a fresh format
- Bonus features and in-game enhancements
- Modern visuals and adaptive design
In this way, Bet on Games offers not just standalone products but an entire ecosystem—a universe where every game is part of a greater whole. For operators, this means streamlined integration and stronger player engagement. For players, it’s the constant thrill of discovering new worlds.
And the Bet on Games universe is still expanding—with new “planets” and ever-fresh gaming experiences on the horizon.
The post Bet on Games Presents Its Gaming Universe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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