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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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Southampton Football Club is pleased to announce that Midnite, the fast-growing UK sports betting and online casino operator, will become the club’s official training kit partner for the 2025/26 season.
The partnership will see Southampton FC become the first football club to partner with Midnite as part of their rapid brand growth.
The deal continues Midnite’s momentum of high-profile marketing activities, including sponsorship of the 2025 World Snooker Championship and 5’s coverage of the FIFA World Club Cup.
Founded in 2018 by Nick Wright and Daniel Qu, Midnite has been hailed as a new disruptor to the betting industry, challenging the status-quo of the UK’s online gambling market by delivering the best value for customers.
The Midnite branding will sit across training kits for both the Men’s and Women’s First Teams. Its logo will also feature on the back of the Men’s First Team shirt and shorts. Midnite’s branding will also appear around St Mary’s Stadium, including in the dugouts.
Connecting Saints fans like never before
The partnership will see Midnite and Southampton collaborate throughout the season to connect Saints supporters to their club like never before. A host of supporter and community activities will be launched to engage and involve the fanbase in the build-up to the season and throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Southampton and Midnite will also collaborate to support Saints Foundation during the course of the season to support its fundraising ambitions and experiences for participants. Saints Foundation is the club’s charity, which works to provide life-changing opportunities to help people and communities in the city thrive.
Greg Baker, Chief Revenue Officer for Southampton Football Club, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our latest club partner. Midnite is disrupting its sector and developing a dynamic challenger brand.
“As a club we pride ourselves on our ability to challenge the status quo and we see a clear alignment with Midnite’s innovative approach. We look forward to working with them throughout the 2025/26 season.”
Midnite Vice President of Growth Jonathan Shaw said: “We’re excited to partner with Southampton for our first-ever football club sponsorship. At Midnite, our mission is to bring our players closer to the games they love, and this high-profile partnership marks the latest step in our brand awareness journey as we continue to grow, with plenty more to come.
“As a fully licensed UK operator, we’re committed to ensuring our players enjoy a safe, responsible, and entertaining experience. We can’t wait to engage with Southampton fans and contribute to what promises to be an exciting and successful season ahead.”
The post Southampton Football Club welcomes Midnite as its newest partner appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SOFTSWISS and Eduardo Barrichello Take the Next Step in 2025 FIA WEC with 24 Hours of Le Mans Debut
SOFTSWISS celebrates a major milestone in its collaboration with rising Brazilian driver Eduardo (Dudu) Barrichello. The talented motorsport star has successfully completed his debut at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, a pivotal round in the ongoing 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Held from 15 to 16 June at the historic Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France, the 24-hour endurance race is one of the most prestigious events in global motorsport. First run in 1923, it forms part of the coveted Triple Crown of Motorsport, alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. The race challenges every aspect of a driver’s performance, combining speed, consistency, and strategic depth – values that closely reflect the approach SOFTSWISS brings to its own operations in the highly competitive iGaming industry.
At just 23 years old, Eduardo Barrichello added this legendary event to his growing international racing résumé, competing with the Racing Spirit of Léman team in an Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo. His performance at Le Mans represents not only a personal career achievement but also a proud moment for Brazilian motorsport and a significant chapter in his WEC journey.
“Le Mans isn’t just another race – it’s the kind of challenge you grow up dreaming about. Representing Brazil on this stage is a huge honour, and stepping onto that track for the first time is a defining moment in my career. Endurance racing pushes you beyond your limits – physically, mentally, and technically. Having SOFTSWISS as a partner for the entire WEC series this year means a lot,” Eduardo comments.
The collaboration between SOFTSWISS and Eduardo Barrichello builds upon the company’s long-term commitment to performance, innovation, and operational excellence. It extends a relationship with the Barrichello family, which began in 2024 when Rubens Barrichello, Formula 1 legend and Eduardo’s father, was appointed Non-Executive Director in Latin America at SOFTSWISS.
“In motorsport, milliseconds can define outcomes; in iGaming, it’s responsiveness, stability, and foresight that define leadership. At SOFTSWISS, we embrace this mindset – continuously optimising our solutions, anticipating market shifts, and pushing the boundaries of technology. Like a Le Mans team, we race through every 24 hours with unwavering resilience – only our race never ends. Our systems are built to deliver flawless performance, every day, hour after hour, without pause,” highlights Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS.
As part of its presence at Le Mans, SOFTSWISS also welcomed a group of partners and guests to experience the race firsthand. The programme included VIP lounge access, helicopter flights over the circuit, access to exclusive camera-only track zones, paddock entry, and hot laps in a real race car. Guests also enjoyed conversations with Rubens and Eduardo Barrichello, creating a unique opportunity to connect motorsport, technology, and partnership in an unforgettable setting.
Earlier this year, SOFTSWISS announced its broad partnership with the rising motorsport talent for the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
The post SOFTSWISS and Eduardo Barrichello Take the Next Step in 2025 FIA WEC with 24 Hours of Le Mans Debut appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Global entertainment brand SkillOnNet is deepening its existing partnership with Stockholm-based game studio Thunderkick to launch the developer’s unique, engaging slot titles in Ontario.
The Canadian province is one of the most exciting regulated markets in North America, and the Ontario players will now gain access to Thunderkick’s full portfolio of highly acclaimed games via SkillOnNet-powered online casino brands such as PlayOJO, SlotsMagic, and SpinGenie.
Thunderkick is known for its independent, boundary-pushing slot games like Pink Elephants, Esqueleto Explosivo, and Beat the Beast and has established a strong reputation for creativity and originality in the iGaming space. The deal allows the studio to further expand its global footprint while giving Ontario players the chance to enjoy a fresh wave of premium content.
Ontario’s regulated online gaming market, which officially opened in 2022, has quickly become a key market for the iGaming industry, and SkillOnNet was among the first brands to secure licensing in the province. The expansion reinforces SkillOnNet’s commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment in regulated markets globally.
Jani Kontturi at SkillOnNet said: “Thunderkick has been a key partner of ours in other markets, and we’re delighted to bring their outstanding content to Ontario. This region is fast becoming a vital part of our operations, and we’re confident players here will respond just as positively to Thunderkick’s games as they have elsewhere.”
Mariam Dodosh, Account Manager at Thunderkick said: “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with SkillOnNet and enter the Ontario market together. Our games have a track record of strong performance, and we’re excited to see them go live in one of the most dynamic new regions in iGaming.”
The post Thunderkick’s portfolio makes Ontario debut through SkillOnNet brands appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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