Latest News

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.”

Arizona Lottery

Scientific Games rolls out Momentum systems upgrade for Arizona Lottery

Published

2 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

scientific-games-rolls-out-momentum-systems-upgrade-for-arizona-lottery

New central gaming and retailer management systems support expanded draw game features across the Lottery’s 3,600 retail locations.

Scientific Games said a new suite of systems technology is now powering the Arizona Lottery’s statewide sales, including updates to its draw games portfolio. The rollout is based on Scientific Games’ Momentum ecosystem, incorporating a central gaming system and a retailer management system.

Arizona Lottery Executive Director Alec Thomson said the technology and game changes are intended to modernize operations and refresh the draw game lineup. “Our teams have been working hard behind the scenes with the Scientific Games teams, and we are thrilled to see this project come to life. The changes to our draw games will give our players bigger value, more ways to play and even more chances to win,” Thomson said. “Ultimately, the advanced technology ecosystem modernizes our operations and positions the Arizona Lottery for future growth.”

The Lottery’s draw game changes include an update to The Pick featuring an automatic multiplier on every play and an add-on called The Pick PLUS, the addition of a daily midday drawing for Pick 3, the launch of a new Pick 4 game with midday and evening drawings, and the addition of Powerball Double Play.

Scientific Games said it also upgraded its gem | suite software to support the expanded draw portfolio and to manage retailer licensing, communications and business intelligence across the Arizona Lottery’s network of 3,600 retailers. “As the Arizona Lottery’s systems technology partner since 2015, Scientific Games is focused on readying the Lottery for long-term sustainability through advanced systems and software, and exciting new products that engage players and drive proceeds to the good cause programs that benefit Arizonans,” said John Schulz, President, Americas & Global Instant Products.

Scientific Games has supplied products and services to the Arizona Lottery for 45 years, including Scratchers games and licensed brands, and supports the Lottery from a Phoenix location, according to the company.

The post Scientific Games rolls out Momentum systems upgrade for Arizona Lottery appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

2026 FIFA World Cup

Flashscore: UK World Cup traffic hits 2.35M users ahead of England vs Norway

Published

2 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

flashscore:-uk-world-cup-traffic-hits-2.35m-users-ahead-of-england-vs-norway

Flashscore says England vs Mexico is its fourth most-watched match globally so far, drawing 17.5M live followers on the app.

Flashscore reported a lift in UK fan engagement ahead of England’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway, citing new usage data from its tournament coverage.

The company said it has recorded 2.35M unique UK users and 387.7M views across its World Cup content so far, spanning live scores, match centres, previews, articles and audio.

Flashscore also pointed to deeper “second-screen” consumption patterns in the UK during the same period, including 1.6M match preview views, 1.23M article views and 147K audio plays.

In global terms, Flashscore said England ranks seventh for team profile opens. England’s Round of 16 match against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium was the fourth-most popular match of the tournament on the app, attracting 17.5M live followers and generating 53.2M views.

On player interest, Flashscore said England captain Harry Kane ranks 20th globally for player profile opens, with 3.9M—just behind Brazil’s Vinicius Junior on 4.0M. Norway striker Erling Haaland is eighth, with 5.7M profile opens.

The post Flashscore: UK World Cup traffic hits 2.35M users ahead of England vs Norway appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Amusnet Italy

Amusnet Italy Enters into Partnership with Entain

Published

2 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-italy-enters-into-partnership-with-entain

Amusnet Italy has launched its premium gaming portfolio on Entain’s prominent online casino brands, bwin and Gioco Digitale, marking a significant step in strengthening its presence within the regulated Italian market.

Through this strategic partnership, local players will gain access to the provider’s premium casino content, known for its exceptional reliability, captivating mechanics and top-tier design. This launch marks the beginning of a phased rollout, with a fully certified portfolio consisting of 174 high-performing titles from Amusnet’s catalogue.

The initial release, which went live on July 1, features the majestic slot Extra Crown Classic Buy Bonus. This royal, fruit-themed game masterfully blends a traditional aesthetic with modern video slot dynamics, featuring expanding Crown Wilds and dual Scatter symbols. It elevates excitement with an innovative Buy Bonus option for instant action alongside Amusnet’s signature 4-level mystery Jackpot Cards bonus game, providing a truly immersive player experience.

“Partnering with premium brands like bwin and Gioco Digitale is a major milestone for our growth in Italy. Launching onto Entain’s platform allows us to reach a wider audience and bring high-quality entertainment to Italian players,” said Polina Nedyalkova, Amusnet Italy Director.

Both bwin and Gioco Digitale are premier online casino brands operating under the global sports betting and gaming giant Entain, utilising a shared platform to deliver secure and cutting-edge gaming experiences. By aligning with these highly trusted brands, Amusnet is well-positioned to leverage their robust market positioning and extensive, loyal user bases to drive long-term engagement and growth.

With this strategic alliance, Amusnet Italy reinforces its commitment to driving growth in the local iGaming market alongside top-tier operators.

The post Amusnet Italy Enters into Partnership with Entain appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.