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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.”

ADM

Peter & Sons says it now reaches 70% of Italy’s ADM-licensed operator market

Published

29 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

peter-&-sons-says-it-now-reaches-70%-of-italy’s-adm-licensed-operator-market

Studio cites integrations with Sisal, SNAI, PokerStars, Eurobet, Betsson Italy, Lottomatica, Goldbet and Diecimilauno via Octavian and Light & Wonder.

Peter & Sons said it has expanded its distribution in Italy and is now live with approximately 70% of the country’s leading operators under the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) license.

The studio attributed the milestone to operator partnerships including Sisal, SNAI, PokerStars, Eurobet, Betsson Italy, Lottomatica, and Goldbet and Diecimilauno, with distribution supported by aggregators Octavian and Light & Wonder. Peter & Sons said the network is expected to grow further.

Italy remains one of Europe’s most established regulated iGaming markets, with concentrated operator share and extensive go-live requirements. Peter & Sons said Italian players can access titles including Barbarossa Dragon Empire, Barbarossa Revenge, and Thunderhawk.

Lauryn Duncan, Head of Sales at Peter & Sons, said: “Italy has become one of our most important markets, not because it was new to us, but because of how quickly it has evolved into a key part of our distribution network. Reaching 70% of the market is a strong validation of the partnerships we’ve built with leading operators and aggregators. It’s a market that demands quality, structure, and consistency, and we’re proud to see our games resonate so well within that environment.”

The post Peter & Sons says it now reaches 70% of Italy’s ADM-licensed operator market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Blue Bird Bonus

EdgeLabs Signs Content Partnership with Stake

Published

29 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

edgelabs-signs-content-partnership-with-stake

EdgeLabs has signed a new content partnership with Stake that will bring more than 50 games from the EdgeLabs portfolio to the platform, including Blue Bird Bonus, Diamond 10x and Mark of Z, alongside casino-style titles such as Emily’s Treasure and Kandy Land Keno. The agreement expands EdgeLabs’ reach with a major global operator while giving Stake access to additional multilingual content and promotional tools across key markets.

In addition to its slot titles, Stake will also leverage EdgeLabs’ casino-style games, including the fish-shooting title Emily’s Treasure and keno game Kandy Land Keno, enhancing the overall player experience within its ecosystem.

Founded in 2017, Stake has rapidly become one of the world’s largest online casino and sportsbook. With a major focus on community engagement, the platform also offers a sweepstakes casino model, providing free-to-play experiences to its users.

Similarly, EdgeLabs’ team brings decades of industry experience, building a high-quality game portfolio supported across 35 languages and 95 currencies, with reach across North America, Europe and Asia. The studio focuses on optimizing partnerships through offering bespoke content, pre-release exclusives and a fully integrated suite of promotional tools.

By combining efforts, both companies aim to accelerate their respective commercial growth objectives and further establish themselves as key players for online free-to-play entertainment.

Marina Rodov, CEO of EdgeLabs, said: “We’re delighted to take our relationship with Stake to the next level. We will now be able to work closely and mutually boost our business by providing our best-in-class games, promotional tools, and account management. We are confident that with our games and Stake’s volumes, this will be a fruitful partnership for both companies.”

Caelum Ferrarese of Stake said: “We’re very excited to begin our partnership with Edgelabs. With Edgelabs’ catalogue of top-quality slots content, combined with a close, working relationship, the sky is the limit for what we can achieve together across a wide range of markets.”

The post EdgeLabs Signs Content Partnership with Stake appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Australia

IGS Awarded 15-Year Electronic Gaming Machine Monitoring Licence in Victoria

Published

29 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

igs-awarded-15-year-electronic-gaming-machine-monitoring-licence-in-victoria

Bally’s Intralot S.A. (Bally’s Intralot) has announced that its Australian subsidiary, Intralot Gaming Services (IGS) has been awarded a new 15-year Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) Monitoring Licence for the State of Victoria, effective 16 August 2027.

This landmark award positions Bally’s Intralot to deliver a new generation of technology, transparency and collaboration to one of the world’s most mature and highly regulated gaming markets.

Approximately 26,300 EGMs will be connected to the Monitoring System which will provide a vital role in ensuring the ongoing integrity of EGM transactions in gaming venues. It will also provide data and information on EGMs for regulatory, harm minimisation, taxation and research purposes.

Under the licence, IGS will also be responsible for the delivery, operation and maintenance of the statewide Pre-commitment System for all EGMs in Victoria, including 2628 EGMs at the Melbourne casino.

A New Technology Era for Victoria

IGS will deploy a next-generation, cloud-enabled monitoring platform designed to deliver:

• Real-time monitoring and reporting

• Advanced data analytics capabilities

• Best-in-class cybersecurity protections

• Scalable architecture to support evolving regulatory requirements

• Future-ready integration enabling seamless connectivity with venues, manufacturers and regulatory systems

“This award represents a major milestone for Bally’s Intralot and IGS and is a significant investment in the future of Victoria’s gaming technology infrastructure. We look forward to working with the Victorian Government, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, and industry stakeholders to deliver a secure and transparent monitoring system that supports integrity and player protection,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of the Bally’s Intralot Group.

IGS and Bally’s Intralot will commence planning and stakeholder engagement in the coming months to support a carefully managed, smooth and seamless transition.

The post IGS Awarded 15-Year Electronic Gaming Machine Monitoring Licence in Victoria appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.