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Record sign-ups in 2021 push GAMSTOP registrants beyond 200,000

Published

5 years ago

April 6, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

GAMSTOP recorded its highest ever day for registrations in February 2021
An average of 5,500 people per month have registered since launch in April 2018
96% keep self-exclusion in place once the initial exclusion period has expired

More than 200,000 people are now registered with GAMSTOP, the free, independent national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, after a spike in numbers during lockdown.

Registrations in February 2021 increased 21% year-on-year, with nearly 6,500 people choosing to exclude themselves from all UK-licensed sites, which followed a 14% year-on-year increase in January when more than 7,000 people registered. There were 326 registrations on February 22^nd, the highest daily figure recorded in GAMSTOP’s history.

The 200,000 landmark, which was not expected to be reached until later in the year, coincides with the first anniversary of a shake-up in the self-exclusion system. From March 31^st last year it became a licensing requirement for all online operators to be registered with GAMSTOP.

According to the Gambling Commission, the total number of online bets rose by 12% from November to December 2020, and the trend towards more online gambling may be leading to more vulnerable individuals choosing to exclude themselves from all sites.

In January 2021, 49,328 GAMSTOP-excluded individuals out of a possible 177,038 attempted to gamble and were successfully blocked by the scheme. While this demonstrates the effectiveness of GAMSTOP, it also highlights that self-exclusion is not a silver bullet for those with a gambling addiction, who should always seek treatment alongside blocks they have in place.

GAMSTOP advocates a layered approach to tackling problem gambling and is collaborating with GamCare and Gamban on the TalkBanStop campaign, which promotes the use of a range of practical tools and support via The National Gambling Helpline.

Registration with GAMSTOP is free, with people asked to fill in personal details and select an exclusion period of six months, one year or five years. More than 120,000 of those who have registered chose to put in place a five-year exclusion, the longest term possible.

GAMSTOP was launched in April 2018 and, of those who chose shorter self-exclusion periods, and therefore became eligible to remove themselves from the scheme from October 2018 onwards, 96% left the exclusion in place. Since that date, 15,400 have removed their exclusion only to reinstate it.

Recently, the number of women registered with GAMSTOP surpassed 50,000, and the gender split on the scheme is 71% male, 29% female. 18-34 year-olds are the most prolific age group using GAMSTOP, accounting for 59% of all registrants.

Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP, said: “We’re pleased that GAMSTOP is serving as an effective safety net, providing crucial breathing space to those who are struggling with their gambling. With the rate of registrants continuing to rise, I would urge anybody putting self-exclusion from online gambling in place through GAMSTOP to also seek treatment. Awareness around self-exclusion schemes and blocking software has been increasing throughout the last year, and it is important that we continue to spread the message about what help is available to those who need it most.”

Matt Blanks, 35, is a recovering gambling addict who registered with GAMSTOP after his addiction led to him trying to take his own life. He now uses his experience to help other suffering with the addiction.

He said: “Signing up to GAMSTOP was a massive relief to me. I had previously had to self-exclude with each individual operator, and would simply move onto the next site who I hadn’t self-excluded from. It was like a game of whack-a-mole, and I kept relapsing. GAMSTOP helped me self-exclude from all online gambling sites in one go, giving me space to clear my head, seek support and kickstart my recovery journey.”

Diana Larina CMO at Evoplay

Evoplay promotes Diana Larina to Chief Marketing Officer

Published

34 minutes ago

May 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

evoplay-promotes-diana-larina-to-chief-marketing-officer

Evoplay has promoted Diana Larina to Chief Marketing Officer, expanding its senior leadership team.

Larina joined Evoplay in 2022 as Head of B2B Marketing. She was promoted to Head of Growth Marketing in 2023 and appointed Head of Marketing in November 2024.

Evoplay said Larina has led marketing initiatives spanning brand, performance and partner-focused campaigns, and contributed to a shift towards a more B2C-focused approach aimed at strengthening player engagement.

Diana Larina, CMO at Evoplay, said: “I’m incredibly proud of what the marketing team has achieved at Evoplay and I’m excited about what comes next. This promotion is a reflection of the hard work of everyone around me, and I look forward to continuing to push boundaries, build the brand and drive growth as we expand our presence across global markets.”

Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, added: “From the moment Diana joined us, she demonstrated exceptional drive, leadership and ambition. Her journey through the company is a testament to both her talent and dedication, and this promotion to CMO is incredibly well deserved. Diana has consistently delivered impactful results while inspiring those around her, and I’m confident she will continue to play a key role in shaping Evoplay’s future.”

The post Evoplay promotes Diana Larina to Chief Marketing Officer appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Playson supplies slots to StarVegas in Switzerland deal via Greentube

Published

34 minutes ago

May 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

playson-supplies-slots-to-starvegas-in-switzerland-deal-via-greentube

Playson has partnered with Swiss online casino operator StarVegas to distribute its slot content in Switzerland, with integration handled via Greentube.

StarVegas is operated by Casino Interlaken. Under the agreement, StarVegas players in Switzerland gain access to Playson titles including Thunder Coins XXL: Hold and Win, Coin Strike: Hold and Win and Pink Joker: Hold and Win.

Blanka Homor, Sales Director at Playson, said: “Switzerland is a key area of opportunity and growth for Playson, and through StarVegas, we look forward to reaching even more local players and meeting the high demand for our games with a highly regarded and responsible partner.”

Mayke Wolf, COO at StarVegas, said: “As one of the first licensed Swiss online casinos, StarVegas offers a wide selection of games from leading international providers and a high-quality gaming experience tailored to the Swiss market. Our players are huge fans of Playson’s thoughtfully crafted portfolio, with its larger-than-life slots and characters that resonate strongly and stand the test of time. This makes the integration a natural addition to our platform, and we are delighted to bring this highly requested content to our players. The full portfolio can be accessed via starvegas.ch as well as through the popular StarVegas mobile apps.”

The post Playson supplies slots to StarVegas in Switzerland deal via Greentube appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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UAE Lottery and Zulekha Hospital run orthopaedic workshop for Berkeley UAE workers

Published

34 minutes ago

May 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

uae-lottery-and-zulekha-hospital-run-orthopaedic-workshop-for-berkeley-uae-workers

The UAE Lottery, operated by The Game L.L.C (a Momentum Group company), partnered with Zulekha Hospital to deliver an orthopaedic workshop for residents in Berkeley UAE’s shared accommodation on April 30, 2026.

The one-hour session, titled “Stronger Body, Safer Work”, focused on injury prevention, posture improvement, safer lifting techniques, and basic exercises for workers in physically demanding roles involving lifting, movement, and repetitive tasks.

Zulekha Hospital specialists led the workshop, including Dr. Saleh Kagzi, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon, and physiotherapist Ms. Ceona Prakash Chopde, who delivered live stretching and strengthening demonstrations. Organisers also offered optional onsite medical consultations for participants to discuss back, neck, shoulder, and joint concerns.

Commenting on the initiative, Suzan Kazzi, Associate Director of CSR at Momentum – The UAE Lottery, said: “Through H.O.P.E. we are proud to deliver initiatives that promote health and wellbeing across various communities in the UAE. This workshop reflects our commitment to bringing practical, accessible support directly to those who can benefit most.”

Dr. Aniruddha Lahiri, Senior Director Administration at Zulekha Hospital added: “We were delighted to partner with The UAE Lottery on this important initiative. Prevention, movement, and early care play a vital role in maintaining long-term health, particularly for individuals in physically demanding professions. We hope that our practical advice helps participants in their daily lives.”

The post UAE Lottery and Zulekha Hospital run orthopaedic workshop for Berkeley UAE workers appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.