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.
Aviatrix
Aviatrix expands into Venezuela with FacilitoBet
Aviatrix, the innovative crash game that is quickly growing in popularity across Latin America and elsewhere, has added FacilitoBet to its portfolio of operator partners.
The deal sees FacilitoBet integrate Aviatrix into its proprietary GEO VES platform, making the game available to its players across Venezuela.
This is a major move by Aviatrix’s into the Venezuelan market, following numerous deals elsewhere in Latin America over the past 12 months.
Gabriela Novello, Head of Business Development LATAM at Aviatrix, said: “We want to bring Aviatrix to the most respected brands across Latin America, and FacilitoBet absolutely meets those criteria. By integrating us into their own platform, we’re able to work directly with the FacilitoBet team to bring a truly world-class experience to players across Venezuela. This is another important step in the Aviatrix journey.”
Henry Sanchez, Director of FacilitoBet, said: “Crash games have become a true phenomenon over the last couple of years, and we love Aviatrix because it brings something unique to the genre. The game is engaging, and their team is extremely helpful when it comes to onboarding to our own GEO VES platform. We are sure Aviatrix will be a big success among our players.”
Aviatrix is quickly becoming Latin America’s favourite crash game, following integrations with NGX, Salsa Technology, Vibra Gaming, Cactus Gaming, RedCap, Virtualsoft, Casa de Apostas, Portugabet and many more.
Latest News
Atlaslive and Alea Partner to Revolutionize Casino Offerings with Data-Driven Player Insights
Atlaslive, a leading B2B software provider in the global iGaming industry, has announced an exciting partnership with Alea, a data-driven casino game aggregator. Together, the two companies will deliver highly customized, data-focused gaming experiences designed to boost player engagement and drive operator success.
Atlaslive’s multi-functional platform empowers sports betting and casino operators with a customizable, scalable solution. Partners have the freedom to tailor the platform to their brand style and market preferences, whether they’re focused on a regional niche or a global audience.
With over 15,000 games in Atlaslive’s casino library, which includes slots, live casino games, table games, virtual games, lotteries, and more, operators can offer a diverse selection to match any player demographic. This vast collection will now be complemented by Alea’s aggregation, creating an unmatched selection of casino content.
Lidiia Vakulenko, COO of Atlaslive, commented on the collaboration: “At Atlaslive, our goal is to provide operators with not only a powerful platform but also the tools and content they need to stand out in a competitive market. Our partnership with Alea enhances our already robust casino offering with even more game diversity, while adding sophisticated data insights that help our partners design player experiences tailored to their audience. This partnership is a game-changer for both companies and our partners.”
In addition to its extensive game portfolio, Atlaslive’s platform provides operators with advanced tools to create custom segments and automated marketing triggers. This allows operators to design personalized campaigns and offers based on player behavior, boosting engagement, retention, and ultimately, revenue.
Jordi Sendra, CEO of Alea, also commented on the collaboration: “We are thrilled to partner with Atlaslive, a company that shares our vision of using data and technology to drive innovation in iGaming. Together, we can offer operators not just a vast range of top-tier games, but the deep player insights they need to refine their strategies and maximize engagement. We believe this partnership will open up new possibilities for both companies and the operators we serve globally.”
By bringing together Atlaslive’s dynamic platform and Alea’s data-driven approach, this partnership is set to transform the way casinos operate, providing powerful tools that will help them grow and thrive in the competitive iGaming landscape.
The post Atlaslive and Alea Partner to Revolutionize Casino Offerings with Data-Driven Player Insights appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Gaming
Nolimit City revisits the brutal factory life in Outsourced: Slash Game
Nolimit City takes you back to the grind with its latest release, Outsourced: Slash Game. For those who thought their consumerist cravings were a safe indulgence, think again. Following in the footsteps of Outsourced, this new addition pulls back the curtain on the sweat and sacrifice lurking behind those everyday luxuries—this time with a dash of danger. Outsourced: Slash Game is the studio’s second venture into crash-style gameplay, the first being xCrash™ in Skate or Die – but this time it’s a standalone crash game!
In Slash Game, players have to make some cutthroat decisions as a laser traces the outline of their hand, increasing the multiplier with every pass. Players hit “stop” to cash out, locking in the multiplier when they feel the timing is right. After which, they will be shown the potential winnings if they wouldn’t have stopped. But here’s the catch: if players hesitate a second too long and the laser slips, all the winnings are lost. A live scoreboard displays the Top Win, Top Miss and Last Round, so that players can keep track of their previous rounds.
Outsourced: Slash Game is not a familiar Nolimit City slot to some players but could cause some excitement with an increasing multiplier and a maximum payout of 1,500x the base bet. Outsourced: Slash Game, unlike Nolimit City’s high-volatility slots, is rated as ‘Medium Volatility’ but don’t let that fool you as it still includes the risk of losing your hand.
Per Lindheimer, Head of Product at Nolimit City, said: “Get back to work, will you? We’re bringing players back to the unrelenting factory floor of Outsourced with an all-new twist. Slash Game is a standalone take on our crash-style games, and it’s packed with plenty of heart-stopping moments (and maybe a few hand-stopping ones, too). We’re thrilled with how it turned out and we hope that our fans will be too!“
‘Outsourced: Slash Game’ will be available to all Nolimit City partners on November 5th, 2024.
The post Nolimit City revisits the brutal factory life in Outsourced: Slash Game appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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