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New research shows students are borrowing money to gamble
More than one in three university students who gamble are borrowing money to do so, new research has revealed.
A survey of 2,000 students across the UK found that 80% of them have gambled and 41% of this group admit that gambling has had a negative impact on their university experience, including missing lectures, assignment deadlines and social activities.
More than one third (35%) are using money either from their student loan, overdraft, have borrowed from friends or are taking out payday loans to help fund their gambling. Nearly one in five (19%) admit to using their student loan to gamble.
The independent research, conducted by Censuswide, was jointly commissioned by GAMSTOP, the national online self-exclusion scheme, and The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM), a charity that educates and safeguards vulnerable people against gaming and gambling-related harms.
The mean gambling spend for students is £31.52 per week and almost one in five (18%) admit to spending more than £50 per week, although 45% say they spend no more than £10 a week. Nearly four in ten (38%) say they gamble at least once a week, with 63% gambling at least once a month.
More than one in four (28%) say they are gambling as often, or more often, than before the pandemic and 29% say they are spending as much or more than they did before the pandemic. The most popular gambling products during the pandemic have been the National Lottery (32%), online sports betting (25%) and online bingo (18%).
Almost half the students who gamble (46%) say that making money is a motivation – the most common reason given – and one in four (25%) say they enjoy the risk. More than half (52%) say that gambling makes them feel excited and one in three (33%) say it makes them happy, compared to one in five (21%) who describe feeling anxious.
Amongst students who gamble, more than one in three (36%) have invested in cryptocurrency in the last 12 months – compared to just 17% of students who do not gamble.
Students also revealed that their friends are the biggest influence on their gambling (34%) with nearly one in four (23%) most influenced by social media and 14% of students identifying gambling advertising as a key influence on their gambling.
The new research on student gambling is the first published since the pandemic and follows previous research commissioned by YGAM in 2019. The previous report produced by Red Brick Research found that 264,000 students in the UK were at some risk from gambling harm with around 88,000 already defined as problem gamblers.
Following the publication of the report, YGAM are joining forces with GAMSTOP and RecoverMe, an app that provides self-help tools to those suffering from a gambling problem, to launch a campaign raising awareness of gambling harms amongst students and promoting support available to students who may be struggling. During the ‘Gambling Support University Tour’ the three organisations will visit university campuses throughout the UK to speak to students and university staff. YGAM will also be offering City & Guilds assured training to the university teams to better equip them to support their students. A ‘Gambling Support University Tour’ visit can be arranged by contacting [email protected]
Bray Ash, 29, is studying mental health nursing at King’s College London, having previously studied at Leeds University and has experienced gambling harms first-hand while in higher education. He told how easy it was to get caught up in gambling.
“When you go to university for the first time and you have student finance, money from your parents and other financial support you can be tempted to gamble recklessly. It took over my life – I wasn’t studying, I was just sitting in my halls gambling. At my second year of university, I ended up gambling away my student loan in the first 24 hours.
“It is important that students have access to organisations, such as YGAM, to educate them about gambling and provide support and that they are aware of essential tools such as self-exclusion if they are experiencing problems with their gambling. I know that it would have benefited me when I was at my lowest point”.
Daniel Bliss, Director of External Affairs at YGAM, said: “This research provides us with some valuable insights into the behaviours of students during the pandemic. We’re keen to build on this piece of work to better understand how our programmes can safeguard and support students. The findings reiterate the importance of educating our young people on the risks and harms associated with gambling. Education is a powerful tool to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and understanding to help prevent harm.”
Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP, said: “Gambling-related harm on our campuses is a subject that is rarely addressed, but for any students experiencing problems with their gambling, self-exclusion can give them valuable breathing space whilst they seek additional help. With online gambling increasingly prevalent during the pandemic, the research shows the importance of raising awareness of a free online self-exclusion service, which is accessible to all”.
Adil Nayeem, Co-founder of RecoverMe, said: “This research highlights how the student population can be a high-risk group for gambling-related harm. We created RecoverMe when one of our close friends at university struggled with a gambling addiction and did not know where to turn. RecoverMe gives students multiple strategies to manage acute urges and support those suffering from a gambling problem with a discreet, flexible and evidence-based programme”.
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Fast Track is issuing this statement regarding an isolated incident that occurred in early October.
Fast Track experienced a highly sophisticated cyber attack that specifically targeted two clients operating on the Fast Track Platform.
Upon detection of the breach, Fast Track immediately ceased the attack and informed the affected parties.
Fast Track confirms that no other clients have been impacted by this incident.
Further details will be provided as they become available and appropriate to release.
If you have any questions regarding this incident, please email [email protected].
The post Important Information regarding Fast Track services appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
GAMOMAT is taking players on a colourful adventure with its new title, Frooty Troupe Sun Splash. This feel-good game launches the new Frooty Troupe series, transporting players to exciting worlds, with more to be revealed in time.
Relax Gaming has launched Masked Treasures, a volatile Aztec-inspired slot packed with mystery symbols and free spins. Set deep in the jungle on a 5×3 reel layout, Masked Treasures invites players to uncover sacred rewards hidden behind ornate gold masks, with a maximum win potential of 5,000x the stake.
Evoplay has launched Hocus Pocus Sorcery, where the night comes alive with glowing gems, enchanted books, and mischievous black cat. Hocus Pocus Sorcery captures the Halloween spirit with a supernatural flair. Players are welcomed into a moonlit world of bubbling cauldrons and mysterious symbols, where each spin offers a chance to unlock powerful features and hidden rewards.
Players will feel the power of the herd and find strength in every spin in Buffalo Wild Collection, the latest slot from in-demand iGaming content provider, ICONIC21. Buffalo Wild Collection takes players to the Great Plains, where they follow these magnificent beasts towards potentially big wins.
TaDa Gaming, is hoisting the Jolly Roger for a barrel full of gold in new release Lucky Macaw. An unusual grid layout sees three reels and three rows, with the centre reel holding an extra position/fourth row, plus 10 fixed paylines. Set in Pirate Cove with the galleon anchored offshore, Captain Macaw is ready to parley with players for pirate coins and bags of gold cash symbols.
Endorphina has announced the release of its newest title, Sloteus Gold. Featuring 5 reels, 4 rows, 25 fixed paylines, and a royal treasure narrative, Sloteus Gold is now available in online casinos. This new Endorphina slot invites players on a royal adventure for King Sloteus’ Gold, where valuable coins with multipliers up to x15 are in play.
Amusnet has released its latest slot game – 40 Lucky Wilds Hot. This sizzling online slot turns the temperature up with classic charm, vibrant symbols, and electrifying winning potential. Designed with 5 reels and 40 fixed paylines, 40 Lucky Wilds Hot invites players into a world where every spin crackles with excitement.
Million Games, together with Million Stars partner studio Yugo Workshop, has announced the launch of FreakShow Hotel, a Halloween-themed 5×3 video slot designed to deliver both festive fun and serious win potential. Set inside Count Drac’s haunted hotel, the game invites players to join a supernatural banquet filled with ghosts, monsters, and high-paying surprises.
Stakelogic has unveiled its latest enchanted adventure, Leprechaun’s Loot, where Irish folklore meets inventive mechanics. Starring Pip O’Spin, a cheeky leprechaun from the emerald hills with a gift for turning rainbows into gold, the game combines playful storytelling with exciting Hold ‘N’ Win action.
Play’n GO breathes new life into ancient Chinese mythology with Bao Shi, a visually striking 5-reel slot centred around the mythical Lion God, Lioras. Set amidst mist-shrouded mountains and long-forgotten temples, Bao Shi beckons players to release Lioras from an ancient spell cast by a malevolent warlord, bringing prosperity to those brave enough to beat the drums of destiny.
Evoplay has launched Trick or Treat Joker, a spooky slot where mischief and mayhem rule the night. Led by the sinister yet charming Joker, this Halloween-themed release blends spooky visuals with classic fruit symbols for a mischievous twist on conventional gameplay. Pumpkins, cobwebs, bats, and glowing symbols create a haunting setting for an eerie adventure.
Spinomenal is celebrating this year’s Halloween with the release of its new title, Spooky Halloween. Spinomenal’s chilling slot is set within a forest cloaked in fog, surrounded by twisted trees and glowing candles illuminating the 5×4 layout. Adding to the haunting experience is an atmospheric soundtrack, echoing with eerie chimes that builds anticipation with every spin.
Amusnet has released its latest video slot, Wild Fortune. This 5-reel, 40-fixed-payline video slot features nine beautifully designed symbols. The Wild symbol expands on all reels and positions, helping players to complete winning combinations and unlock hidden treasures.
The post Week 41/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Introducing Riot Games’ newest title to the esports landscape
DATA.BET, the award-winning sports betting solution supplier, has pioneered the betting market by launching 2XKO, a new dynamic competitive format.
2XKO marks a new addition to the global esports scene. With its fast-paced, double-elimination structure, it brings a distinctive rhythm of short yet high-stakes matches — a setup that potentially opens new avenues for betting engagement and audience retention as the format evolves.
At this stage, DATA.BET’s coverage focuses on key pre-match markets, including Winner and To Reach the Final for overall tournament outcomes, as well as Winner within individual matches. During the final stages of the competition, the company also plans to expand its offering with Map Winner markets for each map.
What makes 2XKO unique is the combination of short-form, high-intensity gameplay. This setup maximizes player engagement, mirroring the popularity of competitive fighting games worldwide while translating seamlessly into a betting environment.
DATA.BET debuted its 2XKO betting coverage at the upcoming 2 NICE KO tournament in Nice, France (Oct 10–12, 2025), featuring nearly 300 players across top fighting titles.
Bogdan Holovnov, Head of Esports at DATA.BET, said: “Esports thrives on creativity and innovation, and 2XKO is the perfect example of how new formats can drive excitement for players and bettors alike. At DATA.BET, we’re proud to be the first to bring this to market — giving our partners exclusive access to content that captures the speed, intensity, and global appeal of fighting games. This launch reinforces our commitment to expanding esports betting with fresh, high-impact experiences.”
The post DATA.BET the First to Launch 2XKO Offering appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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