Latest News
GAMSTOP marks fifth anniversary with parliamentary reception as record numbers chose to self-exclude
- Lords event hosted by peer who first advocated multi-operator self-exclusion
- GAMSTOP has registered more than 380,000 users since its inception in April 2018
- May 2023 was a record month for registrations, eclipsing March 2023
Parliamentarians, regulators, gambling charities operators, and those with lived experience, gathered at Westminster to mark the fifth anniversary of GAMSTOP, the UK’s independent online gambling self-exclusion scheme.
The event on Wednesday June 14th was hosted by Lord Browne of Belmont, who first advocated a national gambling self-exclusion scheme, and former gamblers spoke about the importance of GAMSTOP in helping them overcome their problems.
GAMSTOP was launched in April 2108 and two years later it became a licensing condition for all UK operators to integrate with the scheme, in addition to operating their own self-exclusion schemes. More than 380,000 people have registered with GAMSTOP since its inception, choosing to exclude themselves from all UK operators for a period of either six months, a year or five years.
Last month was GAMSTOP’s busiest ever with a record 8,594 new consumers registering for the free service, 90 more registrations than the previous record in March 2023.
Users interviewed recently by independent research agency, Sonnet, said that GAMSTOP provided an important safety net and self-exclusion was helping their recovery. The House of Lords reception brought together former gamblers, who shared their experiences in a video played to guests.
Stacey Goodwin, from Chesterfield, who is recovering from an eight-year addiction, said:
“GAMSTOP was vital for me in my recovery. I’ve had a lot of comments during my recovery such as ‘you’re so strong’ but I don’t feel that way. The truth is that when I don’t feel in a good place, GAMSTOP is the tool that is strong for me.”
Matt Blanks, who started gambling at 11 and lost around £700,000, said:
“GAMSTOP really is a lifeline not only for me, but for a lot of people struggling with gambling harm. It gives you the chance to stop and reflect and take away the temptation of gambling”.
Jack Scott, who has overcome his gambling addiction to become a successful endurance runner, said:
“GAMSTOP smashed through the roadblock, I was sick of the person I had become. With a tool like GAMSTOP, if it can promote you being the best person of yourself why would you not tick that box?”
Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP, told guests:
“We are constantly looking at ways we can improve the experience for our consumers, ensuring that GAMSTOP offers secure and effective exclusion from online gambling for those who have registered. We are also looking at improving consumer journeys both in terms of enabling them to seamlessly exclude from all gambling, not just online, and ensuring that they are signposted effectively to further support and treatment should they want it”.
Speaking at the event, Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones OBE, National Clinical Advisor on Gambling Harms for the NHS, said the UK was leading the way on self-exclusion and called for further work to be done with land based self-exclusion. She said:
“We are fighting tech with tech. Patients are frustrated by self-exclusion measures because they cannot beat them. Some patients are returning to bookmakers because that’s the only thing left to do. They are using cashback from Tesco to get around bank blocks. There’s an enormous need to block people from going into bookmakers by having a universal scheme for the country”.
Industry Awards
Trailblazers recognised at ICE Barcelona as Landmark Award winners announced
The 2025 edition of the ICE Landmark Awards, the initiative which celebrates milestone achievements and successes in international gaming, took place on the middle day of ICE Barcelona. Presented on the show floor during the world’s biggest ever gathering of gambling industry professionals, the Landmark Awards recognised watershed events, milestone achievements and contributions from a cross-section of progressive organisations and individuals.
Explaining the background to the Awards, Stuart Hunter, Managing Director of Clarion Gaming said: “We felt that there was a place for a totally original Awards program which was accessible, open to everyone in the industry and which recognised a very significant milestone or achievement.
“The first edition of the Landmarks to be held in Barcelona represents a stellar line-up of winners all of whom have made a major contribution to the industry. I am delighted to confirm that the 2025 Landmark Award winners are: EvenBet Gaming (20th Anniversary); Win Systems Group(30th Anniversary); International Betting Integrity Association (20th Anniversary); Novomatic Group (45th Anniversary); Aristidis Tsikouras, CEO of GeWeTe (25-years of service with the MERKUR Group); Pieter Remmers, founder-chairman of Assissa G4 (35-years dedicated to responsible gambling); Tracy Cohen, director of marketing at TCSJOHNHUXLEY (30-years’ service to the industry) and Jan Jones Blackhurst, board member at Caesars Entertainment and CEO-in-residence at the International Gaming Institute, University of Nevada Las Vegas (Pioneering leadership in gaming, politics and philanthropy).
Reflecting on his Landmark, Pieter Remmers confirmed: “I’m very happy to receive this award. I’ve been in this business a very long time. When you look at my resumé, it seems like my career has been dedicated to responsible gambling, so it’s very gratifying to have my work recognised in this way.”
Jason Foley-Train, head of International Development at the International Betting Integrity Association added: “We’re delighted to receive this prestigious Landmark Award from Clarion Gaming. ICE is a cornerstone of the gaming industry, and it’s an honour to be recognised by an event with such a rich history and enduring impact.”
Since their introduction in 2019 over 50 individuals and organisations have been recognised with an ICE Landmark Award. Recipients have included the innovators, developers, entrepreneurs, pioneers and personalities who make the international gambling industry truly unique.
The post Trailblazers recognised at ICE Barcelona as Landmark Award winners announced appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
LIVESCORE ANNOUNCES DIMITAR BERBATOV AS OFFICIAL EUROPEAN BRAND AMBASSADOR
LiveScore, the global sports media business and one of the world’s leading real-time sports update providers, has today announced former Premier League and Bulgarian football star Dimitar Berbatov as official European brand ambassador for both LiveScore Media and LiveScore Bet; two central components within the LiveScore Group sports ecosystem, across Europe.
LiveScore has been Fuelling Fans’ Passion for Sport since being founded in 1998 and has evolved to become one of the world’s best-loved media brands. This partnership underscores the brand’s commitment to enhancing the experiences of football fans worldwide through drawing on the expertise of Berbatov for content, media appearances and campaign work.
With an illustrious career spanning Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Fulham in the Premier League, the Bulgarian remains a revered figure in the sport with a strong UK profile. Berbatov was recently the ambassador for LiveScore’s ‘Extra, Added Time’ campaign, where he encourage fans to take additional time for their mental health.
As part of this campaign, throughout November, LiveScore donated £250 to charity for every key Premier League moment delivered via its app post-90 minutes.
Dimitar Berbatov, Official European Ambassador for LiveScore and LiveScore Bet, said: “I’m excited to continue my partnership with LiveScore, following the success of our ‘Extra Added Time’ campaign. Together, we’ve shown that football can inspire positive change, and I’m excited to build on that momentum.
“LiveScore has been a leader in delivering real-time football updates, always ensuring fans are at the forefront of the action. As someone who has lived and breathed the sport, I’m proud to represent the brand and look forward to helping bring fans even closer to the game we all love.
LiveScore CEO Sam Sadi commented: “We are proud to welcome Dimitar Berbatov as our brand ambassador. His iconic status in European football, combined with his ability to inspire fans on and off the pitch, makes him the perfect fit for LiveScore.”
The post LIVESCORE ANNOUNCES DIMITAR BERBATOV AS OFFICIAL EUROPEAN BRAND AMBASSADOR appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Balkans
BEGE and EEGS 2025 Dates Announced!
Get ready for an unforgettable experience, because we’ve got some exciting news! The dates for the Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo (BEGE) 2025 and Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) have officially been locked in!
��️ When? – November 26-27, 2025
� Where? – Inter Expo Center, Sofia
Join us for two exhilarating days packed with fascinating talks, networking with industry leaders, startups, and loads of fun activities. Here are some of the key events and highlights you can look forward to during this edition:
Exhibition Hall – Discover innovative products and services from leading companies in the industry. Our exhibition features a diverse range of exhibitors, showcasing the latest technologies and solutions in gaming and entertainment.
Networking Opportunities – Connect with fellow professionals, potential partners, and investors during different networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and idea exchange. With over 80 exhibitors from 60 different countries, this is the perfect chance to build valuable relationships and explore new business opportunities.
BEGE Awards Ceremony – We are privileged to recognize the best achievements in the industry over the past year. Join us to celebrate the outstanding performances and contributions of individuals and companies that have made a significant impact on the industry.
The legendary BEGE Party – After an exciting day of networking and learning, get ready to let loose and have a blast at the BEGE Party! Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment, music, and celebration. Expect an electrifying atmosphere, special performances, and great company. Don’t miss out on the ultimate networking
and entertainment experience
Startup Zone – Explore the next big thing in gaming with our Startup Zone, showcasing innovative new companies that are redefining the industry landscape.
Keynote Presentations – Hear from industry visionaries as they share their insights on the latest trends and innovations in gaming and entertainment.
Panel Discussions – Engage with experts on critical topics such as regulatory changes, technology advancements, and market strategies that will shape the future of the industry.
Proximity Zone – Become a part of the live-stream interviews throughout both days of
the exhibition.
Mark your calendars, set those reminders, and get ready to join the best in the business!
We’ll be rolling out more details soon, so keep an eye on your inbox for updates, sneak peeks, and all the juicy tidbits. Trust us, you won’t want to miss what we have planned!
Let the countdown begin!
The post BEGE and EEGS 2025 Dates Announced! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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