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Over $100k worth of free support to problem gamblers

Published

5 years ago

January 28, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Gambless first big milestone offers a glimpse into where its users come from and confirms the importance of mhealth support

The release of Gambless, a new mobile app tackling gambling addiction, was announced last September. The app, which is accessible on both iOS and Android devices, offers resources to problem gamblers, including informative articles, a self-care diary, coping-skills exercises, diagnostic tests and an emergency chatbot.
Today, less than 5 months later, Gambless announces to have already given away several hundred free codes, allowing access its psycho-educational resources, amounting to over $120.000.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
After the initial months of organic growth, at the beginning of December, Gambless decided to start surveying its users about their location and their most frequented gambling operators.
These data was gathered anonymously, and now it gives a better understanding of its userbase: in the past 8 weeks, 27% of registered users came from the United Kingdom and Ireland, 24% from the USA, 12% are Australians, 10% Italians and 5% Canadians. And while there are people registering from all over the world (30+ countries), a handful of countries account for more than 3/4 of its users.

The pie doesn’t aim to give a global picture of the gambling addiction issue, considering that at the moment Gambless is available in just 3 languages (EN, IT and RU). But it offers an interesting vantage point.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND MHEALTH
Gambless has been created and developed by the same team of psychologist who designed Mindspa, another mobile app targeting a broader audience on mental health topics. Combined, the two apps count over 250,000 registered users in less than a year, with 000s of positive reviews.
Studies show that problem gambling often overlaps with other issues. 43% of problem gamblers have also alcohol issues, 25% struggle with drugs, 60% have comorbidity with anxiety and depression, and the list goes on. And from its conception, Gambless mission has been to provide prevention and support to problem gamblers, with a holistic approach on mental health.
Gambless aims to address first and foremost the mental health of vulnerable individuals, offering programs covering emotional intelligence, loneliness, stress, jealousy, and features a collection of hundreds of coping skill exercises on feelings like anger, anxiety, resentment, self-distrust, frustration, sadness, guilt, apathy, fear, and so on.
In this context, it is also extremely important that the role of mhealth (mobile health) support.
Smartphones nowadays have a penetration of over 80% in many countries. Thus, thanks to mhealth, treatment and other resources can be accessed more easily, regardless of socio-demographic aspects. Furthermore, support via mobile phone gives that sense of privacy that often prevents problem gamblers from getting the help they need.

GAMBLESS PLEDGE
It is a known fact that only between 1 and 3 percent of problem gamblers get support each year. With the help of technology, there is the opportunity to both increase awareness and create a diverse and more accessible landscape of support options. And Gambless vows to take its active part to this change.

Damjan Stamenkovic CEO of Expanse Studios

QTech Games signs Expanse Studios to distribute 60+ games via aggregator platform

Published

47 minutes ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

qtech-games-signs-expanse-studios-to-distribute-60+-games-via-aggregator-platform

QTech Games has signed a supplier partnership with Expanse Studios, the iGaming development division of Meridian Holdings Inc., to integrate and distribute Expanse content through QTech’s aggregation platform.

Under the deal, QTech customers will gain access to 60+ Expanse proprietary titles spanning crash games, slots and table games. The companies said the content is designed for mobile-first play and includes “retention features and sticky mechanics,” alongside a wider range of scratch, number and card-based titles.

Expanse Studios also said it has made its slot portfolio compatible with the social casino segment, adding to table games and other titles it already positions for social operators. The rollout forms part of Expanse’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in North and South America.

QTech Games CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “We’re committed to rolling out more and more high-class content and product innovation that drives revenue for our partners. So, this deal with Expanse Studios extends our impressive sequential pipeline for the year – and showcasing our flexible array of content which solves for fine-grained, local requirements in countries where light, rapid-load games are a must. Furthermore, by intelligently introducing social casino versions of its popular games, new modern audiences are now at our partners’ fingertips.”

Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, added: “As QTech’s platform is a gateway to more and more global audiences, and new distributional efficiencies for Expanse. So, we can’t wait to see how our highly engaging games perform across this largely greenfield landscape of emerging markets.”

The post QTech Games signs Expanse Studios to distribute 60+ games via aggregator platform appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BIS

Legality of Brazil’s betting platforms to be a central theme at BiS Brasília

Published

10 hours ago

April 27, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

legality-of-brazil’s-betting-platforms-to-be-a-central-theme-at-bis-brasilia

Betting sector moves forward amid regulatory debate and reinforces the need for clear rules and a safe environment in Brazil

The advancement of sports betting regulation in Brazil has placed the sector at the center of important discussions regarding legal certainty, tax revenue, and economic development.

Amid recent debates over possible market restrictions, the postponement of new projects such as the launch of Caixa Econômica Federal’s betting platform, and the ban on prediction markets, specialists continue to emphasize the importance of consolidating a regulated, transparent, and sustainable environment for the industry.

More than just a trend, the legalized betting market is increasingly being viewed as a strategic opportunity for the country, with the potential to generate jobs, attract international investment, and significantly boost public revenue.

Regulation is also seen as an essential path toward ensuring consumer protection and combating informality.

In this context, BiS Brasília, confirmed to take place on June 2 and 3, positions itself as the leading discussion forum for the sector in Latin America.

The event will bring together authorities, operators, regulators, and experts to debate the future of the industry at what is considered a decisive moment for its consolidation in Brazil.

“It is not simply about allowing or banning betting, but about how to structure a responsible market that creates value for the entire chain—from operators to consumers—while remaining under effective public oversight,” said Alessandro Valente, chairman of BiS Brasília.

“Legality brings predictability, attracts serious companies, and creates more effective control and enforcement mechanisms.”

Another key point is the role of regulation in promoting responsible gaming. With clear rules in place, it becomes possible to implement stronger policies to prevent risky behavior, while also ensuring greater transparency in operations.

“Brazil has the opportunity to build one of the most relevant regulated markets in the world. Events such as BiS are essential to align expectations, share international best practices, and accelerate this process responsibly,” he added.

Held in Brasília, the center of the country’s main political and economic decisions, the meeting reinforces its strategic role by bringing together the different stakeholders involved in shaping this new scenario.

Expectations are that this edition will go down in history as a milestone in the maturing debate over the legality of betting in Brazil.

BiS Brasília

Now in its second edition, BiS Brasília is an iGaming and betting industry event dedicated to fostering dialogue between the private sector, government authorities, and society on the development of the regulated gaming, casino, and lottery market in Brazil.

Held in the federal capital, the event gathers business leaders, authorities, and experts to discuss strategic topics such as regulation, integrity, innovation, taxation, and responsible gaming.

BiS SiGMA South America is part of the SiGMA World group’s portfolio of events, a global leading brand in organizing B2B events and a business platform for the gaming and betting ecosystem worldwide.

The post Legality of Brazil’s betting platforms to be a central theme at BiS Brasília appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

iGaming

PokerStars sets $50m+ guaranteed Anniversary Series for May 10–June 3

Published

14 hours ago

April 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

pokerstars-sets-$50m+-guaranteed-anniversary-series-for-may-10–june-3

Online festival spans 461 tournaments and includes three Main Events on May 24 plus a $500,000 GTD Sunday Storm PKO final on May 10.

PokerStars will run an online Anniversary Series with more than $50m in guarantees from May 10 to June 3, 2026, the operator said on April 27. The schedule includes 461 tournaments and is positioned to mark PokerStars’ 25th anniversary, alongside the 15-year milestone for Sunday Storm.

The festival’s buy-ins range from $5.50 to $15,000, with qualifiers starting at $0.55, according to the company. PokerStars said it will also distribute more than $650,000 in Anniversary Series Lucky Dip tickets during the series.

PokerStars is headlining the series with three Main Events on May 24:

a $109 tournament with a $1.5m guarantee,
a $1,050 Main Event with a $2.5m guarantee,
and a $5,200 Main Event with a $2m guarantee.

Weekly Sunday events include Sunday Million, Sunday High Rollers, and Mystery Bounty specials, with Second Chance Main Events (PKO) scheduled for May 31.

The operator is also running a Sunday Storm 15th anniversary Progressive Knockout tournament with a $500,000 guarantee for an $11 buy-in. Phase 1 events are underway, with Phase 2 set for May 10.

“We’re proud to celebrate 25 years of PokerStars bringing big money poker tournaments safely to players around the world,” said Steve Clarricoats, Associate Director of Online Scheduling. “Putting $50 million up in guarantees shows our focus remains on bringing the best of PokerStars to more players in a variety of tournaments.”

More relevant data as follows:

PokerStars: https://www.pokerstars.com/ Official operator site for tournament schedule and eligibility by market.
PokerStars Blog: https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/news/ Company’s news hub where the full Anniversary Series details and formats are typically published.
PokerStars Power Path: https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/promotions/power-path/ Source for information on the $0.50+ qualification routes referenced in the announcement.

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