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GambleAware: New gambling prevalence methodology review published

Published

5 years ago

May 14, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

GambleAware has today published commissioned research, authored by Professor Patrick Sturgis and Professor Jouni Kuha of the London School of Economics, which investigates how methodological differences between surveys affect the accuracy of estimates of gambling harms. The research was commissioned following a 2019 YouGov study which found substantially higher rates of gambling harms across Great Britain than had previously been reported by the 2016 and 2018 Health Surveys for England.

The research was commissioned to identify the best way to determine gambling participation and prevalence of gambling harms in Great Britain and to develop a better understanding of how methodological factors might account for the differences between the results of the YouGov study and the Health Survey for England’s results. The surveys reviewed in the report produced widely varying estimates of ‘problem gambling’[1] in Great Britain, indicated by a PGSI score[2] of 8+, ranging from 0.7% to 2.4% of adults.

The research reviewed eight different surveys into gambling participation and prevalence of gambling harms to identify differences in results and what causes them. The key finding is that surveys using predominantly, or exclusively online self-completion responses produce consistently higher estimates of gambling harm compared to surveys which use paper self-completion techniques as part of a face-to-face interview.

The primary cause of this discrepancy was found to be selection bias in online surveys. Selection bias in this instance refers to the fact that online surveys skew towards people who are comfortable using online technologies and who use the internet regularly. These people are also more likely to be online and frequent gamblers, meaning online surveys tend to over-estimate gambling harm.

Given these findings, the researchers shared the following recommendations for future prevalence surveys:

Given the high and rising cost of in person surveys, measurement of gambling prevalence and harm should move to online surveying.
The move to online interviewing should be combined with a programme of methodological testing and development to mitigate selection bias.
In person surveying should not be ceased completely; probability sampling and face-to-face interviewing should be used to provide periodic benchmarks.

GambleAware commissioned this study to better understand the true demand for treatment and support for gambling harms across Great Britain and will use the findings of this study to inform and direct the future Annual Great Britain Treatment and Support surveys. Data from the surveys will continue to be used to update GambleAware’s interactive maps, which show in visual format the prevalence of gambling participation and harms at local authority and ward level across Great Britain.

Professor Patrick Sturgis, Department of Methodology at the London School of Economics, said: “Our research has found that online surveys tend to systematically overestimate the prevalence of gambling harm compared to face-to-face interview surveys. However, given the very high and rising cost of in person surveying, and the limits this places on sample size and the frequency of surveys, we recommend a shift to predominantly online data collection in future, supplemented by periodic in person benchmarks.”

Alison Clare, Research, Information and Knowledge Director at GambleAware, said: “We want our prevention, treatment, and support commissioning to be informed by the best available evidence, and having survey data we can be confident in, within the constraints of data collection in an increasingly online world, is key. GambleAware’s annual GB Treatment & Support survey is an important tool in building a picture of the stated demand for gambling harms support and treatment, and of the services, capacity and capability needed across Great Britain to meet that demand.

BVGroup

BVGroup community jackpot pays nearly £1m across 501 UK players

Published

38 seconds ago

June 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

bvgroup-community-jackpot-pays-nearly-1m-across-501-uk-players

BVGroup’s opt-in Epic Community Jackpot has paid out nearly £1 million to 501 customers across its UK iGaming brands, following a drop on June 30, 2026. ThrillTech, which supplied the jackpot technology, said the payout is the first UK “Community Jackpot” of its kind.

The main winner, playing on BetVictor’s online casino, received £488,035.59. BVGroup said 500 additional players across BetVictor, Heart Bingo, Smooth Spins, Betano, Parimatch and TalkSPORTBET each received £976.07 from the same prize pool.

According to the companies, the jackpot was configured to allocate 50% of the total prize to the main winner and distribute the remaining 50% across contributing players, using ThrillTech’s ThrillPots engine. Peter Mareš, Chief Technical Officer at ThrillTech, said: “This is the first community jackpot of its kind in the UK, enabling operators to reward hundreds or even thousands of players with a single jackpot instead of just one. Distributing these payouts at scale requires absolute precision. Our robust technology effortlessly handles the complex mathematics and has advanced protocols in place to ensure that all payouts are delivered exactly as intended.”

The companies also pointed to a previous payout on BetVictor’s “The Jackpots” product last month, when a single BVGroup player won £1,531,130, also powered by ThrillPots. Side bet, opt-in jackpot prize pools are player funded and sit on top of base casino games or sports wagering activity, with this implementation designed to distribute a single drop across a wider pool of contributors.

The post BVGroup community jackpot pays nearly £1m across 501 UK players appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

Booming Games renews Hollywoodbets Durban July activation partnership

Published

39 seconds ago

June 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

booming-games-renews-hollywoodbets-durban-july-activation-partnership

Provider plans on-site game demos and a new Golden Gallop release on Hollywoodbets later this year.

Booming Games has renewed its activation partnership with Hollywoodbets for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, returning for a second year at the event at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse.

The company said it will run a cowboy-themed stand aligned with the event’s “Country Allure” theme, offering demo versions of games and a branded “Spin and Win” wheel for prizes. Booming Games added that Founder Max Niehusen, Vice President of Product Moritz Blume, and Head of Africa Solomon Godwin will attend.

Ahead of the event, Booming Games said it has been running a nationwide giveaway offering prizes including VIP experiences at the Hollywoodbets Durban July and a soccer shirt signed by Ronaldinho.

The companies also pointed to a broader commercial pipeline, with Booming Games stating that new releases are set to go live on the Hollywoodbets platform later this year. One of those is Golden Gallop Hold and Win Extreme 10,000, which Booming Games described as the latest entry in its Golden Gallop series, featuring a 5×3 grid, 25 fixed paylines, a maximum win potential of 12,000x, and bonus features.

Solomon Godwin, Head of Africa at Booming Games, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Hollywoodbets for the Hollywoodbets Durban July again this year, and the launch of the latest game in the Golden Gallop series is the perfect way to celebrate. This year’s event also marks two years since we launched in South Africa, one of the world’s fastest growing and most exciting casino gaming markets.”

Wayde Dorkin, Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, said: “Booming Games is a key partner for Hollywoodbets, and we are pleased to be building on last year’s collaboration at the Hollywoodbets Durban July. In a crowded market, the quality of Booming Games’ offering and customer-focused approach to game development provides the foundations for a long and fruitful partnership, which we hope will remain strong for many years to come.”

The post Booming Games renews Hollywoodbets Durban July activation partnership appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BetMGM

Gaming Realms launches Marilyn Monroe Slingo with BetMGM

Published

40 seconds ago

June 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-realms-launches-marilyn-monroe-slingo-with-betmgm

Gaming Realms has partnered with BetMGM to launch Marilyn Monroe Slingo, an exclusive Slingo title for the operator. The companies announced the release on 30 June 2026.

According to Gaming Realms, the game combines its Slingo mechanic—blending slots-style reels with a bingo grid—with Marilyn Monroe-themed visuals tied to celebrations marking the centennial of the star’s birth.

Ian Robson, Commercial Account Management Lead at Gaming Realms, said: “We are thrilled to further strengthen our partnership with BetMGM through the launch of Marilyn Monroe Slingo. Working closely with BetMGM, we’ve created a bespoke title that captures the glamour and excitement associated with Marilyn Monroe while delivering the engaging gameplay that Slingo fans know and love.

“We look forward to seeing players enjoy this release and the unique blend of entertainment and Slingo action it offers.”

Rob Passerino, BetMGM’s Director of Gaming, said: “Partnering with Gaming Realms allows us to combine an iconic figure with the proven, popular Slingo format. Bespoke games like this are central to how BetMGM differentiates and we are confident our players will love celebrating Marilyn Monroe’s centenary with this new release.”

The post Gaming Realms launches Marilyn Monroe Slingo with BetMGM appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.