Latest News
New support for NHS to treat gambling addiction
The NHS is set to benefit as new levy will raise an estimated £100 million of new funding for research, prevention and treatment of gambling addiction.
Following publication of the gambling white paper in April, the Government is now taking the next step in mandating payments from the sector by launching a consultation on the design of the proposed gambling operator levy.
Currently, not all gambling companies contribute equally towards the existing voluntary levy, with some operators paying as little as £1 towards research, prevention and treatment. The Government is therefore acting to ensure all operators contribute their fair share.
In order to improve research, prevention and treatment of gambling harm, the Government is minded to set the levy as a new 1% fee on gross gambling yield for online gambling operators, while traditional betting shops and casinos will pay a proposed fee of around 0.4%.
The white paper has proposed a fair and proportionate approach to levy rates between various operators, taking into account the difference, for example, in operating costs and the levels of harmful gambling associated with different gambling activities.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:
We are taking the next step in our plan to protect those most at risk of gambling harm with a new levy on gambling operators to pay for treatment and research.
All gambling operators will be required to pay their fair share and this consultation is an opportunity for the industry, clinicians, those who have experienced gambling harm and the wider public to have their say on how the proposed gambling operator levy should work.
The introduction of this levy will strengthen the safety net and help deliver our long-term plan to help build stronger communities while allowing millions of people to continue to gamble safely.
Technology has reshaped where, when and how people gamble and there has been a significant rise in online gambling behaviour due to the ease of access on smartphones, with people able to gamble anytime and anywhere.
Figures from the NHS Digital Health Survey also indicate that some of these online products are associated with elevated levels of gambling-related addiction and harm with ‘problem gambling’ rates eight times higher for online slots and casino game players than in the population as a whole.
Under the proposed levy, the gambling industry will no longer have a say over how money for research, prevention and treatment is spent. Instead, the Gambling Commission will distribute funding directly to the NHS and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which coordinates research and innovation funding, under the strategic direction of government. The levy will be underpinned by legislation meaning firms will be required to pay.
The funding delivered through the levy, which will deliver substantial new investment for the NHS in England, Scotland and Wales, will increase access to treatment and support for those experiencing gambling-related harm. It will also help to develop a truly national approach to prevention and fund independent, high-quality research to inform policy and practice.
In July this year, the NHS announced that seven new specialist gambling addiction clinics will open in Milton Keynes, Thurrock, Derby, Bristol, Liverpool, Blackpool and Sheffield this year. This is in addition to the seven clinics already in operation in London, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, and Telford, as well as an additional national clinic, which treats both gambling and gaming addiction in children and young people, in London.
Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said:
We know that gambling addiction can devastate lives, which is why we are working quickly to implement our bold plans for reform.
This consultation brings us a step closer to being able to provide £100 million of new funding for research, prevention and treatment, including ring fenced investment for the NHS to help gambling addicts.
Gambling firms should always pay their fair share and this new statutory levy will ensure that they are legally required to do just that.
Health Minister Neil O’Brien said:
Harmful gambling can affect people’s savings, ruin relationships, and devastate people’s lives and health.
Gambling companies should pay their fair share towards the costs of treatment services, but we want to hear from as many people as possible about how the new statutory levy should work.
We continue working to support those affected by gambling harms. Twelve of the planned fifteen NHS gambling addictions clinics have now opened across the country providing vital support services for thousands of people experiencing gambling-related harms as well as their loved ones. The remaining three are expected to open by the end of the year.”
Henrietta Bowden-Jones, National Clinical Advisor for Gambling Harms, said:
I welcome this Levy which reflects the government’s decision to fund gambling treatment, prevention, research and education in an independent and evidence- based way allowing us to continue our work of eradicating all gambling harms from society.”
NHS mental health director Claire Murdoch said:
Gambling addiction destroys people’s lives and with record numbers turning to the NHS for support, the health service has met this demand head on by opening four new specialist clinics in recent months, with a further three opening later this year.
The NHS has long called for a statutory levy because it is only right that this billion-pound industry steps up to support people suffering from gambling addiction and I am pleased that action is being taken to prevent people from coming to harm in the first place. It is now vital we continue working in partnership to ensure we provide effective prevention, education and treatment for this condition.
The Government’s gambling white paper, published in April 2023, set out a range of measures to improve player protections and reduce the risk of gambling addiction and harm in the smartphone era. Measures such as financial risk checks to better alert operators to risky behaviours, stake limits for online slots, tighter controls on marketing of bonuses and a new mandatory gambling operator levy are designed to reduce risk and improve player protections.
The Government and Gambling Commission continue to implement the measures set out in the white paper with a view to having key elements in place in summer 2024.
Latest News
SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator: Largest Content Hub Certified in Brazil
The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, the largest content hub in the iGaming industry, has secured Brazilian certification, becoming one of the first in the market to achieve this milestone.
Regulatory rules for iGaming come into effect in Brazil on 1 January 2025. According to them, platforms, aggregators, sportsbooks, and providers must undergo certification. Companies aiming to provide their services in Brazil in 2025 and beyond have been preparing for this transition throughout the year.
The SOFTSWISS team announces that its Game Aggregator is the first to fully comply with regulations, completing all necessary preparations and receiving the certificate to ensure smooth and efficient operations for its clients.
SOFTSWISS has also obtained certification for integration with the world’s largest game providers – Pragmatic Play, Evolution, and Playtech. These providers offer a diverse range of games tailored to suit the preferences of Brazilian players, from immersive live dealer experiences to engaging slots and table games, ensuring entertainment for every type of player.
According to recent Kantar research conducted in November 2024, the overall satisfaction index for the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is 8.1 out of 10. Remarkably, half of the respondents rated the product a 10 or 9. Customer support service satisfaction scored even higher, at 8.4 out of 10.
The Game Aggregator also boasts a key advantage: consistent 99.999% uptime, which is crucial for the iGaming business.
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, notes: “According to our information, the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is the first aggregator fully prepared, both technically and legally, to work in Brazil when the new regulations take effect. This is a significant achievement that the team has worked on diligently and systematically. Our work doesn’t stop here – we are actively adding new providers to help our clients expand their presence in this promising Brazilian market, which is no longer ‘the sleeping giant’. It has awakened, and SOFTSWISS is at the forefront of this exciting transformation.”
To support this high level of performance, earlier this year SOFTSWISS appointed Rubens Barrichello, the Brazilian Formula 1 legend, as a Non-Executive Director, demonstrating its strong commitment to the local market. To ensure efficient operations and promptly address ongoing matters, SOFTSWISS also has a dedicated team of local business development managers in Brazil.
SOFTSWISS team will be available to discuss partnership in Brazil and other markets at the first major iGaming event of 2025 – ICE Barcelona, taking place on 20–22 January, at stand 2G42.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator: Largest Content Hub Certified in Brazil appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Digitain has promoted Group Chief Strategy Officer to CEO of Relum
Digitain, the leading provider of sportsbook and casino platform solutions, announced today that Edmond Ghulyan, the Group Chief Strategy Officer, has been promoted to CEO of Relum, the casino engine solution provider that is part of the Digitain Group of Companies.
Edmond has held several key leadership positions within the Digitain Group over the past seven years, including Chief of Centrivo Products and Group Chief Strategy Officer. He brings extensive experience in the iGaming industry, along with expertise in digital strategy, product innovation, operations, and market-product fit strategies. His comprehensive understanding of both B2B and B2C iGaming supply chains will be invaluable in further scaling Relum’s product offerings, including casino aggregation services and market expansion.
Digitain’s Group Founder, Mr. Vardges Vardanyan, commented on the promotion: “I am delighted to have Edmond lead the Relum team. With his extensive experience in product and commercial development at Digitain over the years, Edmond will support and facilitate comprehensive solutions as Relum expands its services to B2C partner operators in high-growth markets.”
Edmond Ghulyan, CEO of Relum, expressed his enthusiasm for the new role: “I am truly excited to have played my part of Digitain’s growth journey, and now Relum, a company that has consistently expanded its business solutions within the global regulated iGaming supply chain. The company’s customer-centric approach and commitment to its people in delivering complex solutions for today’s multi-jurisdictional regulated operators have always impressed me. I eagerly look forward to scaling the Relum business with new and existing partners and leading the product and sales team in the coming months.”
The post Digitain has promoted Group Chief Strategy Officer to CEO of Relum appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Argentina
ZITRO CELEBRATES THE LAUNCH OF ITS FIRST WAP IN ARGENTINA AT THE HIPÓDROMO DE PALERMO
Zitro, a leading global gaming company, has announced the successful launch of its first Wide Area Progressive (WAP) in Argentina, with over 45 slot cabinets initially installed in five gaming halls located at the Hipódromo de Palermo. The product selected for this project is the successful game “Mighty Hammer Ultimate” on Zitro’s premium cabinet, “Altius Glare.”
This system represents the first WAP in South America. A shared jackpot called “Mega Pozo Mighty Hammer” starts at 50 million Pesos and grows progressively, making it the largest accumulated prize in the region. The official inauguration was held on December 19th during the exclusive “Noche de Palermo” event, including a live performance by the renowned Argentinian band Los Totora.
Company Directors commented: “We are very pleased to introduce Argentina’s first WAP at the Hipódromo de Palermo. This project – for which we partnered with Zitro – reiterates Casino Club’s commitment to innovation, always under the premise of offering our customers an entertainment experience that exceeds all their expectations.”
For her part, Alejandra Burato, Regional Director of Zitro for LatAm, commented: “The launch of our first WAP in Argentina is a very important milestone for Zitro, as it confirms our company as a supplier of machines for WAPs. Attending the inauguration event and seeing firsthand how our products connect with players has been a pleasure, providing a unique and different entertainment experience in the region. Additionally, I want to highlight the excellent marketing surrounding the launch, contributing to its success. Finally, I would like to thank Casino Club for their trust and collaboration, which has allowed us to present this innovative proposal in such a renowned and emblematic place as the Hipódromo de Palermo.”
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