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GambleAware publishes new report on the lived experience of gambling and gambling harms among Minority communities in Great Britain
GambleAware, the leading charity commissioning gambling harm prevention and treatment services in Great Britain, has published research focusing on the experiences of gambling harms among people from minority communities in Great Britain.
The study by Ipsos UK and ClearView Research, supported by the University of Manchester, has confirmed the role that stigma and discrimination can play not just in driving harms, but also in preventing people accessing help and support.
The report shows that people from Minority communities who have any kind of gambling problem.2 are 50% more likely to have experienced racism or discrimination in public, compared to those who do not have a gambling issue (48% vs. 32%). Some participants in the qualitative research described a link between their experiences of discrimination and racism, and susceptibility to gambling harms. These participants pointed to the role of racism and discrimination in exacerbating gambling behaviour, including feelings of social exclusion, reduced employment opportunities and heightened risk of mental health issues.
The report also shows that people from Minority backgrounds who gambled are three times more likely to say their gambling is a ‘coping mechanism’ to deal with challenges in their life, compared to White British people who gamble (18% vs. 6%).
Participants in the qualitative study also identified many barriers stopping them seeking support for their gambling, some of which were because they were members of a Minority community. People from Minority communities were less likely than people from the White British majority group to say they would feel comfortable talking to friends and family if they were worried about their gambling, and also less likely to say they would feel comfortable talking to a gambling support service provider or a healthcare provider.
There was also a relative lack of awareness in Minority communities of where gambling support was available, and some even had a lack of trust in healthcare providers and support services due to previous experiences of racism and discrimination they had faced when seeking healthcare.
Some participants in the study also said they felt they and others from Minority groups could be disproportionately influenced by gambling marketing and advertising. They noted that having limited understanding about the risks involved in gambling could have made them more susceptible to the gambling marketing and advertising they saw.
Zoë Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, said: “Gambling harms can affect anyone, but they can be more common and more damaging in communities that face social inequality – such as these minority groups. Fortunately, help is out there. The National Gambling Support Network offers confidential, tailored support for people from all backgrounds. It also does a lot of community outreach to raise awareness and increase early intervention, so that people from all backgrounds know where to turn and can get help before gambling problems turn into an addiction.”
Daniel Cameron, Research Director at Ipsos, said: “The findings from this study increase our knowledge of why people from Minority communities may experience gambling harm. The study shows that the unique experiences individuals from Minority communities face in their everyday lives can exacerbate the drivers of gambling behaviour and increase the likelihood of facing gambling harms.”
Wendy Knight, who has lived experience of gambling harm and took part in the study, said: “Looking back, I started gambling compulsively after having issues at work. During that period, I spent a lot of my time and money in casinos as gambling became my way of escaping.
“Also, my parents came to the UK from the West Indies during the Windrush era. Since arrival our lives have been about struggling for money. I think that because of the lack of opportunities in disadvantaged communities gambling seems like one of the few ways we could ever get big money.
“When I started recovery, I found it isolating as there weren’t any other black people there. When I walked into the recovery room it was full of white men, but I stayed because I wanted to recover. Plus, I am used to being the only minority in the room.
“However, much more needs to be done to make people from minority backgrounds feel comfortable to go to recovery services for help.”
Dr Dharmi Kapadia, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at The University of Manchester commented: “This research study has shown that minoritised people facing difficult, and often traumatic, life circumstances such as financial hardship, racism and other forms of social exclusion are at risk of gambling harms. Worryingly, gambling help services are often not seen as trustworthy by minoritised people due to past discriminatory experiences of statutory services. Gambling support services need to work on increasing confidence amongst minoritised groups, including how they organise, advertise and deliver services.”
This latest research builds on a Minority Communities & Gambling Harms: Quantitative Report that GambleAware released in March.
GambleAware will also be opening a new funding programme in December 2023, building on the recommendations from this Minority communities research. A total of £4.3m will available to organisations in England, Scotland and Wales.
Anna Hargrave, GambleAware Chief Commissioning Officer, said: “Our new funding programme is a response to research which demonstrated that both women and people from minority ethnic and religious communities face additional burdens of gambling harm as well as barriers in accessing services which meet their needs. Through the fund we will aim to reduce the inequality of experience of gambling harm for women and people from minority religious and ethnic communities.”
The gaming world is shifting. Today’s players don’t just chase bonuses — they expect loyalty programs that feel fair, transparent, and worth committing to. And for operators, that means finding smarter ways to keep players engaged for the long run. To meet these needs, RocketPlay has redesigned its VIP Club with a focus on transparency, simplicity, and rewarding ongoing engagement.
Why changing?
Players now expect more than short-term bonuses — they seek a loyalty experience that rewards long-term commitment, feels genuinely fair, and puts the player at the center. At the same time, operators need tools that sustain engagement and build enduring player relationships. This customer-centric vision inspired the redesign of RocketPlay’s VIP Club.
What’s different?
We combined two separate systems — Lifetime Loyalty (XP) and Seasonal VIP Progress (SP) — into one unified program. Progress is now tracked along a single, straightforward path with clear rules for leveling up and confirming VIP status each season. Players can easily see how their deposits, bets, and other actions move them closer to better rewards. Now each new VIP level unlocks a new surprise — up to 10% weekly cashback, 5% Live cashback, up to 25% daily deposit insurance, bonuses for level-ups, and much more! Plus, the base VIP level is now permanent, recognizing players’ ongoing commitment.
How does this help business?
The new VIP Club is designed to keep players engaged longer and more often. Its simple, gamified approach motivates players to stay active, which helps improve retention and overall player activity across all games — slots, live casino, and sports betting alike.
Listening to our players
At RocketPlay, we don’t just listen to our players — we act on what we learn. The VIP Club continuously evolves through player insights, behavioral data, and performance analysis to stay aligned with modern gaming habits. This iterative, customer-centric approach strengthens long-term loyalty while driving measurable retention and LTV growth. The new VIP Club reflects RocketPlay’s strategy of combining innovation with sustainable business impact — creating value for both players and the brand.
Blueprint Gaming
Blueprint Gaming strengthens European foothold with Finnish state lottery Veikkaus partnership
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Blueprint Gaming
has bolstered its presence across Europe after securing a new partnership with Veikkaus, the Finnish state lottery.
Veikkaus’ player base across Finland now benefits from Blueprint’s entire portfolio, featuring branded titles Rick and Morty: Strike Back, The Flintstones and ted Afterparty, as well as its iconic King Kong and Fishin’ Frenzy franchises.
Comprising over 1,200 top iGaming professionals, with responsible gaming firmly at its core, Veikkaus operates all gambling content offered throughout Finland, covering lottery, casino and sports betting.
The state-owned organisation has now elevated its diverse gambling portfolio through a library of feature-rich games known for their vibrant visuals, proven retention-focused mechanics and immersive gameplay.
Blueprint Gaming’s latest agreement underlines its ambitions of continuing to expand its global footprint across the industry’s most progressive markets, bringing its ever-expanding content to a new wave of players.
Samuel Haggblom, Director of Key Accounts at Blueprint Gaming, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with Veikkaus, one of Europe’s most respected and responsible state-owned operators, in a move that significantly strengthens our presence across the continent.
“Finland continues to stand as an exciting opportunity for Blueprint, and through this collaboration, we are bringing our market-leading portfolio, from much-loved franchises to our latest innovations, to a whole new audience of players.”
The post Blueprint Gaming strengthens European foothold with Finnish state lottery Veikkaus partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has published its Statement of Strategy for 2025 to 2027, setting out its strategic priorities over the next three years as it establishes a robust regulatory and licensing regime for the gambling sector and delivers on its public protection mandate.
Established on a statutory basis in March 2025, the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 sets out the framework and legislative basis for the GRAI which will operate as an independent, self-financing regulator under the remit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Minister Jim O’Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration launched the new Strategy alongside Mr Paul Quinn, Chair of the Authority, and Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI.
The Statement of Strategy sets out the GRAI’s priorities over the next three years with particular focus on six functional areas with related strategic goals reflecting the GRAI’s legislative mandate:
• Licensing
• Monitoring and Compliance
• Enforcement
• Consumer Protection and Awareness
• People, Organisation, and Governance
• Digital First
Each goal is supported by objectives and deliverables which will guide the GRAI’s progress through to 2027.
Jim O’Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs Migration, said: “I commend the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland on the publication of its first Statement of Strategy, which is an important milestone for the Authority, the gambling sector in Ireland and for the wider public.
“This strategy is not just about regulation; it is about educating the public, protecting those vulnerable to gambling harm, and ensuring that the industry operates to the highest standards of integrity and social responsibility. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am committed to supporting the Authority in delivering on its mandate.”
Paul Quinn, Chairperson of the GRAI, said: “As a newly established independent regulator, we have been entrusted with a vital public mandate: to ensure that gambling in Ireland is conducted in a safe, fair, and transparent manner, with the interests of individuals, families, and the wider community at its heart.
“Our work is grounded in the principles of prevention, protection, and evidence-based regulation. This Statement of Strategy sets out the roadmap to delivering a modern, fair, and trusted regulatory regime that reflects the constantly evolving nature of gambling and the expectations of the Irish public.
“Establishing the new licensing arrangements, compliance management, and enforcement functions during the term of this Strategy is central to reducing the likelihood of gambling harms and will underpin a well-regulated gambling market in Ireland.”
Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI, said: “The Statement of Strategy outlines the vision, mission, and values of the Regulator through to 2027. Each goal within the Strategy outlines a thorough approach to our main functions, from building a robust licensing regime that will ensure operators are consistently adhering to standards to supporting research and educational initiatives that enhance our capabilities as a Regulator.
“The GRAI’s Statement of Strategy 2025 – 2027 has been approved by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and we look forward to achieving our strategic goals together.”
The post GRAI Publishes 2025-2027 Strategy Statement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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