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GAMSTOP is putting vulnerable online consumers back in control
More than eight out of ten (82%) consumers have stopped or reduced their gambling since registering with GAMSTOP, according to the first independent evaluation of the UK’s online self-exclusion scheme.
The report by research consultancy Sonnet, based on surveys of more than 3,300 users and in-depth interviews, found that 84% felt safer from gambling-related harm and more in control of their gambling after registering with GAMSTOP. Eight out of ten (80%) said that the self-exclusion scheme had delivered on their intended outcomes, whether they wanted to stop gambling completely, reduce their gambling or simply to take a short break.
Although financial losses were often an important trigger for registering with GAMSTOP, consumers also reported significant improvements in their well-being:
- 77% felt more in control of their personal or household finances
- 72% reported improvements in their levels of anxiety and stress
- 63% enjoyed an improvement in the quality of their family relationships
- 60% found they were better able to focus at work
- 40% reported they were consuming less alcohol
The report’s recommendations include:
- Longer self-exclusion periods – currently, the maximum self-exclusion is five years, which had been selected by 71% of consumers surveyed, but four out of ten wanted the option of excluding themselves from all online gambling for longer
- Helping consumers to access specialist support – 53% of GAMSTOP’s users have not previously used gambling-related support services so the scheme can be a bridge to other organisations offering help with gambling addiction by working more closely with them
- Actively engaging with family and friends of consumers – only 28% of consumers were supported by friends or family, with many too embarrassed or ashamed to seek help, so raising awareness of the service among those affected by a loved one’s gambling will provide a broader support network for consumers and their families
- Responding to the threat posed by unlicensed gambling websites – The scheme’s users are deliberately targeted by unlicensed sites – an issue highlighted in GAMSTOP’s response to the DCMS Gambling Act review – and 10% reported accessing them while self-excluded so greater controls on these sites are required to prevent them being exposed to temptation
- More research into the harmful effects of advertising – consumers consistently expressed their frustration at being exposed to gambling advertising and wanted greater protection
More than 200,000 consumers have registered with GAMSTOP since the scheme’s inception in 2018. The report found that GAMSTOP had reached a broad cross-section of the population across all demographic groups.
Women aged over 44 were identified as an important demographic, making up 53% of all women surveyed, and the report recommends reaching out to older age groups more generally, together with specific initiatives aimed at people with below national average income. It advocates a marketing strategy to target high-risk groups, making the service more visible through online searches and on operators’ websites.
The report concludes:
“This study shows very strongly that GAMSTOP is successfully achieving a reduction in gambling-related harm with far-reaching positive impacts for consumers being clearly shown in our interviews and survey… Our findings show that GAMSTOP is effective across all age groups, gender groups and, importantly, for all types of online gambling.
The vast majority (of consumers) report a very positive experience of using the service, and our research highlights that it is effective both in terms of delivering consumers’ objectives but also in alleviating a wide range of gambling-related harms”.
An office worker in his 30s, who was spending up to £300 per spin on online slot machines and ran up debts of more than £10,000, registered with GAMSTOP after his partner left him and he feared losing his job. He told researchers that, having self-excluded for five years, he felt safe from temptation during lockdown and has stopped gambling completely. He is now paying back his debts to family and friends and said: “I think this service saved my life. Best thing I ever did is cancel my demons by using this amazing service”.
A delivery driver in her mid-twenties, who was spending almost her entire weekly wage on gambling, and had tried self-excluding from individual websites, found that registering with GAMSTOP helped her take control of her gambling. She is getting married this year and has built up her savings. With the support of her family and partner, she has restricted herself to the occasional £5 bet on football at high street bookmakers and intends to renew her self-exclusion every five years to resist the temptation of betting online.
She said: “The last year I haven’t gambled at all, it was hard at first but now I don’t miss it and the money I have saved is unbelievable”.
Fiona Palmer, chief executive of GAMSTOP, said:
“We are grateful to Sonnet for carrying out this very detailed evaluation of the service and are studying their recommendations carefully. We are delighted to know that vulnerable consumers who have registered with GAMSTOP have found it has helped them control their gambling and made a positive impact on their lives.
The insights in this report are extremely helpful and we welcome the opportunity to look at all suggestions for further improvements to the service, including extending the length of the maximum exclusion period to give them peace of mind that they will benefit from the long-term protection that GAMSTOP provides”.
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affiliate automation
ReferOn Shortlisted for “Best Affiliate Software 2026” at SiGMA Awards South America
ReferOn, the next-generation affiliate management platform, has been shortlisted for the “Best Affiliate Software 2026” category at the upcoming SiGMA Awards South America.
The nomination recognises ReferOn’s continued growth and the platform’s ability to support operators with scalable, transparent, and efficient affiliate management solutions in increasingly complex markets.
ReferOn has become a trusted foundation for businesses worldwide looking to scale their operations. With rapid adoption across the globe, the platform is now the go-to choice for companies that need to scale quickly and reliably. Because the platform handles large volumes of data with ease, it is a vital tool for teams that need speed and precision. In such a competitive market, we provide the accuracy and simplicity required to stay ahead, allowing our users to focus on their goals without the technical stress.
A New Chapter: The Era of “Refie”
This nomination arrives at a defining moment for the company, after the 2025 launch of Refie, the latest evolution of ReferOn. We have humanized B2B software with Refie, an integrated assistant that acts as a helpful navigation layer for our users. This milestone completely removed the struggle of getting started on the platform by visually guiding people through complex steps, making sure everyone can find their way without any stress or confusion.
Refie transforms repetitive daily tasks into an engaging experience that actively minimizes human error. It was specifically designed to eliminate the manual bottlenecks affiliate managers have traditionally faced, making their daily operations much faster and more efficient.
Alex Bukin, General Manager at ReferOn, commented: “Being shortlisted for the SiGMA Awards South America is a strong recognition of the progress our team has made. We are focused on building technology that simplifies affiliate management and gives operators clearer, faster access to the data they need to grow. With Refie and our upcoming developments, we’re continuing to move in that direction”.
Ambitious Plans for 2026
In 2026, ReferOn will upgrade Refie with sophisticated gamification to boost user engagement and streamline daily tasks for affiliate managers. These updates will introduce personalized, smart features, establishing a new industry benchmark for affiliate technology.
Cast Your Vote
We invite all industry peers and partners to support the work we’re doing. If you are a registered delegate attending SiGMA South America 2026, your voice matters.
- Award Category: Best Affiliate Software 2026
- How to Vote: Voting is open exclusively to delegates who hold valid event tickets. Please visit the official SiGMA Awards portal to cast your vote for ReferOn.
The post ReferOn Shortlisted for “Best Affiliate Software 2026” at SiGMA Awards South America appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
ELA Games Contributes to Discussions on Scalable iGaming Ecosystems and Studio Innovation at HIPTHER Prague Summit
ELA Games recently took the stage at the HIPTHER Prague Summit, joining top industry leaders to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of the iGaming sector. Represented by Yaroslav Soloshenko, Head of Business Development, the studio participated in a forward-looking panel focused on building a more scalable iGaming ecosystem and advancing game innovation for 2026 and beyond.
Rather than just looking at incremental changes, the panel challenged speakers to envision an ideal, universal platform of the future before tackling everyday industry challenges. From there, the conversation shifted to real-world strategies, exploring how enhanced operator-supplier collaboration, gamification, and advanced platform architecture will shape the next generation of iGaming.
One focus of the session was the ongoing evolution of game development and distribution. The group highlighted the necessity of building bespoke, trust-based relationships with operators to secure the best visibility in increasingly crowded game libraries. Tied to this was the critical importance of early operator feedback and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) testing, with panelists noting that smaller studios often have a distinct advantage in implementing operator-driven changes faster than larger competitors.
The topic of artificial intelligence was also raised, with the point made that some studios already have proof-of-concept for fully AI-generated slots. This led the panelists to tackle the relationship between AI and traditional game design, weighing the balance between mass-produced, AI-generated content and the slower, human-led craftsmanship required to build higher-value games.
Addressing the realities of market distribution, the panel discussed how operators are becoming much stricter about the number of games they release to prevent market oversaturation. They also examined how rigorous testing rules in regulated regions can significantly delay product launches. Weighing in on these challenges, Soloshenko brought ELA Games’ forward-thinking perspective to the table, advocating for the ideal of a single global license to reduce regulatory barriers and accelerate market entry.
During the session, Soloshenko emphasized the necessity of uniting departments to achieve complete, A-to-B game design. He stressed the fundamental alignment required between product and business teams, noting that because the business division operates on the frontline of the market—tracking industry changes and operator demands—they must actively help guide the product’s direction. To achieve this, he advocated for transitioning away from a factory-line style of production in favor of a “boutique” approach, where all teams collaborate intimately from the initial project kick-off all the way to release day.
“Participating in the HIPTHER Prague Summit gave us a great opportunity to explore how development strategies must adapt to current industry realities,” said Yaroslav Soloshenko, Head of Business Development at ELA Games. “The foundation of our approach is continuous collaboration, both internally and externally. By working as closely as possible with operators to share early MVPs, we gather invaluable feedback. When those insights are handed directly to a unified development team, it allows us to consistently develop titles crafted exactly for what the market needs at any given time.”
Being a part of these high-level industry talks is part of ELA Games’ strategy to remain closely aligned with operator needs and player expectations as the market evolves.
Play the demo and other games here: www.elagames.com/our-games
The post ELA Games Contributes to Discussions on Scalable iGaming Ecosystems and Studio Innovation at HIPTHER Prague Summit appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
América Latina
BiS SiGMA South America by Softswiss reúne autoridades do esporte, mídia e apostas esportivas
Evento de iGaming traz nomes importantes para discussões do mercado
Entre os dias 07 e 09 de abril, no Expo Transamérica, em cidade de São Paulo será palco do maior evento de iGaming da América Latina, com debates e discussões sobre o setor e sobre como o mercado pode impactar a economia mundial. A Bis SiGMA South America by Softswiss trará autoridades de peso e dará ao publico a oportunidade de conhecer inovações e governança das apostas esportivas.
O setor financeiro já confirmou presença de nomes como Isaac Sidney Menezes Ferreira, presidente da FEBRABAN, Ricardo Silva Siqueira, diretor-presidente da Caixa Loterias e Ricardo Saad, presidente do COAF.
Já no setor de apostas Fabio Macorin, Subcretário da Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas (SPA) estará presente.
O meio esportivo não ficará de fora, nomes como Michelle Ramalho, vice-presidente da CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol) e Caio Porto Ferreira, delegado e procurador do STJD já estão na lista de autoridades que estarão no evento.
Já relacionados à mídia, Paulo Saad, vice-presidente do Grupo Bandeirantes e Vinicius Lummertz, da Revista Exame e ex-secretário de Turismo.
Os debates acontecerão em três palcos diferentes dentro do evento, com moderadores e especialistas para trazer cada vez mais conhecimento e reconhecimento do mercado para o publico.
Toda agenda pode ser encontrada no site: https://brazilianigamingsummit.com/agenda/
Sobre o BiS SiGMA South America by Softswiss
O BiS SiGMA South America by Softswiss integra o portfólio global de eventos do SiGMA Group, uma das principais plataformas internacionais dedicadas à indústria de jogos, apostas e tecnologia, com edições realizadas em diferentes regiões do mundo.
Realizado anualmente em São Paulo, o BiS SiGMA South America by Softswiss consolidou-se como o maior e mais tradicional evento de negócios do setor de iGaming e apostas da América Latina, reunindo operadores, fornecedores de tecnologia, plataformas, investidores, representantes do poder público e mídia especializada em um ambiente voltado à geração de negócios, troca de conhecimento e desenvolvimento do mercado.
Para a edição de 2026, a expectativa é receber 18.500 participantes, contar com mais de 400 expositores e patrocinadores e uma programação de conteúdo com 250+ palestrantes, reforçando a escala do evento, sua relevância internacional e o papel de São Paulo como principal hub de negócios do setor na região.
Além da feira de negócios, o BiS SiGMA South America by Softswiss oferece uma programação robusta de conteúdo, painéis, workshops e premiações, abordando temas como inovação, operações, tendências de mercado e boas práticas da indústria, contribuindo ativamente para a evolução e profissionalização do ecossistema.
The post BiS SiGMA South America by Softswiss reúne autoridades do esporte, mídia e apostas esportivas appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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