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Lee Willows: ‘We should be humbled that addiction levels are coming down: do we really think that big state programmes, funded by a statutory levy and controlled by the NHS could do any better?’

Published

4 years ago

June 17, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Lee Willows, the long-standing lived-experience leader who came into the gambling space following an addiction that almost drove him to suicide, has warned that the UK risks losing its status as a world-class leader in Social Responsibility. Commenting after the Westminster Media Forum – Next steps for UK gambling regulation and Labour Party MP Carolyn Harris’s Westminster Hall debate on the statutory gambling levy, Willows said: “I firmly believe the UK is a global leader in Social Responsibility, but I worry that flame might be dimming as the funding debate becomes more about a desire to break-up the very eco-system that supported me and today supports many others. It is this Third Sector-led eco-system that to my mind, makes us world-class.”

Addressing the nature of the debate he questioned: “Why have we allowed it to come down to narrow choices between the NHS or the Third Sector to deliver a national programme of treatment – why can’t both co-exist? I have often said we need a choir of voices and organisations in this space. Why is it so difficult for start-up organisations – often led by individuals with Lived Experience – to access funding? Why is the funding debate consistently tarnished by some who feel there is a lack of independence as opposed to recognising the impact of that funding, which in my experience is completely independent. Finally, why are we not humbled that addiction levels are coming down and education and awareness is now at an all-time high, being led by superb charities in a considered, well-thought and evidenced manner?

“These divisions and the potential introduction of a statutory levy carry significant risks to my mind and in many ways undermines a lot of the good work that’s been undertaken. We have built an eco-system to deliver treatment, support and prevention that has impressive reach across the United Kingdom. This didn’t happen overnight, it took time, and a huge collective effort on behalf of many very decent people. A statutory levy risks being seen by operators as another tax and as a result dilute their level of involvement in reducing harms.

“Whilst there is much more to be achieved, we should be humbled by this progress. Do we really think that big state (NHS only) programmes, funded by a statutory levy can do any better? Will big state programmes enable agility and innovation? Will big state programmes deliver better value for money? Will big state programmes really provide the funding for very local services or take a risk on start-up organisations or ideas, particularly from those with Lived-Experience, often starting out as sole-traders? Will big state, one size fits all programmes, be able to deal with the complexities around gambling addictions?

“Several years ago, I led the work of a national reducing re-offending charity at the time when the Probation Services were being privatised. A slightly different scenario, but a similar outcome in that the PLC companies and the state won many of the contracts, forcing many charities to close. Wind the clock forward and re-offending rates today remain broadly where they were prior to privatisation. The tragedy is that re-offending rates were beginning to drop, prior to privatisation. Beneficiaries of services often would say that they had a personal connection with the staff member supporting them from charities, whereas they were more like a number when being supported by the larger companies. It has also been proven consistently that charity-run services almost always deliver better value for money.”

“It will not surprise you that I do not support a statutory levy. There is much comfort to take from the current eco-system and the many charities and non-profit organisations working hard in this space and it would be a big mistake to risk this. Additionally, I believe our prime commissioner of services in this space might want to ask themselves what they can do better to support start-up organisations and foster agility, spending their income in a timely manner, with a percentage aimed at small start-up organisations. I also believe they might consider their ballooning establishment chart, which for many seems excessive.”

Looking to the short/medium-term Lee Willows has identified an action plan in order to facilitate innovation, encourage agility and maintain the UK’s world-class status. He explained: “Firstly the new strategy to reduce gambling-harms should be fully costed (so we actually know how much funding we need as opposed to a blanket 1%); secondly some mandated guidance should be given to operators when making donations, based on percentages for treatment, prevention and research; finally larger businesses should in my opinion, be mandated to commit 50 percent of their LCCP RET donations to fund three-year funding commitments in order to ensure sustainability. Operators need certainty, so they can budget donations; charities and non-profit organisations need certainly so they can plan services”.

“The notion of a Gambling Commission held RET list is something I continue to support, but I would also question if it is appropriate that the Gambling Commission administer Regulatory Settlements. Perhaps having another body or organisation to oversee these would bring about some of the reflections I am proposing, particularly where prevention is concerned. This would enable the Commission to focus on its regulatory responsibilities.”

Belatra

Belatra Games signs content partnership with Wild.io

Published

51 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

belatra-games-signs-content-partnership-with-wild.io

Slots including Blast the Bass, Make it Gold, Bear’s Tricks and Foxy Eggs roll out on the crypto-first casino and sportsbook.

Belatra Games has partnered with Wild.io to expand its distribution in the crypto casino market, with the supplier’s slot portfolio set to be integrated into the Wild.io platform.

Under the agreement, Wild.io will add Belatra titles including Blast the Bass, Make it Gold, Bear’s Tricks and recently released Foxy Eggs.

Maria Zabauskaya, Business Development Manager at Belatra, said: “Partnering with Wild.io further strengthens our presence in the crypto gambling market through a key industry player. Wild.io is a great example of how a modern gaming platform should engage with its audience. We’re confident that our game mechanics, refined over more than three decades, together with the themes and stories enjoyed by players around the world, will fit seamlessly into the Wild.io offering and provide its audience with standout gaming experiences.”

A Wild.io Casino Manager added: “We are very pleased to welcome Belatra’s suite of games to Wild.io, and this is not only a content deal but the start of a partnership that we are excited to build. Our interactions with Belatra have always been genuinely friendly and with an open approach. Belatra produces great games and a sharp understanding of what today’s online players are looking for and that is exactly the type of supplier we want by our side.”

The post Belatra Games signs content partnership with Wild.io appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

PG Soft locks and loads with arcade-inspired Zombie Blasters

Published

51 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

pg-soft-locks-and-loads-with-arcade-inspired-zombie-blasters

PG Soft, a world-class digital mobile games company, has loaded up its latest release, Zombie Blasters, a slot that draws its inspiration from the golden age of arcade machines.

Zombie Blasters is a 5 reel, 6 row video slot that is brought to life with bright pixelised graphics and animated arcade style symbols. The game is inspired by old school arcade nostalgia and undead apocalypse thrills, weaving both into every spin, all set against a retro cabinet backdrop with jaunty electronic beats and distorted synth soundscapes.

The main game is powered by Multiplier symbols. At the end of each spin one or more x2 Multiplier symbols may land on the reels and the total win is multiplied by the total value of all Multiplier symbols on the grid.

The Multiplier Wheel takes the action to another level. During a winning spin, the Alarm symbol can appear. This will trigger the wheel to spin and reveal a multiplier from x5 to x50. The Alarm symbol and any Multiplier symbols already present on the reels are then upgraded to that value before wins are paid.

Landing four, five, or six or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels triggers the Free Spins Feature with 10, 15, or 20 free spins respectively. Any multipliers you land during your free spins are added together and remain at the bottom of the reels until the feature ends. If you can land three or more extra Scatter symbols you are awarded with five extra free spins.

Players seeking instant action can also tap the Feature Buy button to launch the Free Spins Feature at the price displayed, with wins of up to x10,000 of the initial bet.

PG Soft’s spokesperson commented: “Zombie Blasters takes players in the firing line of a pixelated arcade shootout, where the rewards belong to those quickest on the draw. The real showstopper is the Multiplier Wheel, and with the stacking multipliers in Free Spins, explosive wins are never far away – just one Alarm symbol away.”

The post PG Soft locks and loads with arcade-inspired Zombie Blasters appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

3 Majestic Drums

Spinomenal marches to the beat of 3 Majestic Drums

Published

51 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

spinomenal-marches-to-the-beat-of-3-majestic-drums

Leading iGaming content provider Spinomenal is marching to the beat with 3 Majestic Drums, the latest addition to its renowned Wildlife series.

Taking place on a sweeping African savannah at sunset, the 5×3 reel frame is bathed in the warm glow of an amber horizon, towering acacia trees and the colours of the wild. The instrumental soundtrack beats to the pulse of the continent and players are tossed into an atmospheric adventure from the first spin.

The majestic Lion is the Wild symbol and substitutes for all symbols except for the Bonus and Special Bonus symbols. The Lion pays x10 for five on a line, x2 for 4, x0.5 for 3. There are 3 to 4 Wild combinations but they only pay if a Bonus or Special Bonus symbol follows.

The heart of the game is based on four sparkling diamond symbols. The common Bonus symbol can show up on the reels, and three powerful Special Bonus symbols – BOOST, MULTI and COLLECT – have unique abilities during the Bonus Game. The MYSTERY symbol may only appear in the Bonus Game and can randomly transform into a BOOST, MULTI, COLLECT or Jackpot symbol.

The Bonus Game is triggered by six or more qualifying symbols – in any combination of Bonus and Special Bonus symbols. The trigger symbols are locked on the screen as three spins start. Each new symbol landed resets the spin counter to three. The Bonus Game ends if three spins pass without a new symbol appearing or if total winnings reach the maximum x3000 multiplier.

During the Bonus Game, Jackpot symbols can appear randomly and trigger the Major Jackpot (x150 the total bet), Minor Jackpot (x50) or Mini Jackpot (x20). Players will win the Grand Jackpot if all 15 cells are filled, which is x3000 the total bet.

The Bonus Blast Feature can also trigger at random during the base game, scattering additional Bonus and Special Bonus symbols randomly on the reels to help trigger the Bonus Game.

If you want to get into the action quickly, then you can make use of the Buy Feature, which offers instant entry into the Bonus Game, at a price scaled to your chosen bet.

Spinomenal CO-CEO, Omer Henya commented: “3 Majestic Drums takes the pulse of the African wild to the reels in spectacular fashion. The Bonus Game with the BOOST, MULTI and COLLECT mechanics adds a multi-layered, ever-changing dynamic where each spin has the potential to change the game dramatically. We’re confident players will have a great time marching to the beat of this wildly entertaining title.”

The post Spinomenal marches to the beat of 3 Majestic Drums appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.