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GamCare highlights sharp rise in gambling-related issues this Christmas, new research reveals
People with gambling issues are more likely to be turning to the activity this festive period than last year, according to new research from the gambling support charity, GamCare.
In a recent survey from YouGov of over 4,000 UK adults, commissioned by the charity, three-fifths (59%) of those who experience problems due to their gambling** say they are more likely to gamble at Christmas than other times of the year – up from 37% last year.
Advisers on GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline are highlighting how the festive period can be a testing time for those struggling with their gambling, as well as family and friends affected.
Last December, the Helpline saw a 39% increase in calls and online chats compared to the same month in the previous year, making it the busiest Christmas period on record.
Additionally, the survey highlights:
- Over half (53%) of people gambling at harmful levels say they have spent money intended for presents, food, or other seasonal expenses on gambling.
- Nearly three in five people gambling at harmful levels (59%) are more likely to gamble during the festive season compared to just 6% of people who gamble without issues.
- For those gambling at harmful levels more than half (53%) reporting increased feelings of stress or anxiety due to gambling and 56% said that gambling made them feel more isolated.
- Two in three (65%) people gambling at harmful levels have concerns someone in their family or household might overspend on gambling during the festive period. This compares to one in 25 (4%) of those who are not.
Mark Weiss, Deputy Chief Executive, at GamCare said: “The festive period can be a difficult time for those struggling with gambling, but it can also provide a good opportunity to open up about the issues you’re facing. Our new research shows that there has been an increase in people who already have gambling issues saying they are more likely to gamble over the festive period than at other times of the year.
“GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline provides free confidential support 24/7, 365 days of the year – including Christmas Day and the whole of the festive season. There are many ways you can get support, whether it’s calling an Adviser or using our live chat and WhatsApp features in case you are concerned about privacy while family and friends are around.”
GamCare Helpline Advisers often hear about the financial strain caused by early December paydays. One Helpline Adviser said: “An extra temptation to gamble can stem from most people having an early December payday. This, alongside the added financial pressures associated with Christmas, the influence of alcohol, changes in routine, and high-profile sporting events, can conflate the struggles someone with gambling harms may already be going through.”
Another Helpline Adviser said: “There’s a lot of image consciousness around Christmas and people feel the pressure to go further than they can financially afford. Whether it’s presents, food, or family spending, all of these things can lead to debt.
“The anxieties and pressures of Christmas creates a drive to find additional funds. Therefore, some people may be thinking about using gambling to fund the financial pressures that Christmas brings.”
GamCare’s Helpline Advisers are available one-to-one over the phone or on live chat 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133. People can also get free one-to-one support sessions through the National Gambling Support Network, wherever they are in Great Britain.
The post GamCare highlights sharp rise in gambling-related issues this Christmas, new research reveals appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
GR8 Tech launches ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame—an easy-to-launch solution designed specifically for the needs of experienced businesses: casino brands aiming to dominate sports betting without hiring an army of sportsbook specialists, or operators fed up with tech bottlenecks stunting their growth.
“We dedicate a lot of time to talking to the market, and one thing kept coming up: too many products are built for entry-level needs. That’s fine… until it is not. Operators that grow beyond the basics often hit a wall. Their current platform needs improvement and differentiation that comes slowly, if at all; at the same time, switching to something new just means discovering another set of limitations down the line,” shares Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech. “There was clearly a gap—a well-formed demand for a solution tailored to mature operators who know what their players want and are done settling for tech that slows them down or boxes them in.”
ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame was created to tackle these advanced challenges, enabling operators to differentiate with market-leading content and a customizable front-end while maintaining full control over crucial areas like player engagement and risk management. Feature-rich right out of the box, the solution drives the ultimate revenue boost with its AI-driven toolset.
“ULTIM8 is built for results. Operators using our iFrame solution see up to 50% GGR uplift through features that come ready to deploy—odds personalization, parlay tools, and dynamic cashout,” comments Sergey Ghazaryan, CRO at GR8 Tech. “Coupled with the geo-tailored layouts and widget-based frontend flexibility, these things give operators the ability to shape the ultimate experience for their audiences, while keeping full control over performance and profitability.”
With all these advanced features, GR8 Tech’s ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame still maintains one of the key decisive factors of all iFrame solutions—quick launch time. As long as operators provide everything necessary for the launch from their end in time, the business can go live within just one week.
Sergey Ghazaryan adds: “GR8 Tech aims to become the first choice for operators looking for high-performance sportsbook-driven solutions. ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame is a very important step towards this goal—an ultimate showcase of our sportsbook expertise, packed in a convenient, easy-to-integrate form, tailored to the demands of the mature operators that have been unanswered up until now. Well—not anymore.”
Contact GR8 Tech for an in-depth guide through the ultimate sportsbook solution.
The post ULTIM8 SPORTSBOOK IFRAME: Ultimate Solution for Operators Who Have Seen It All appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Rapidly expanding content provider offers tasty treats and sugary thrills with the brand new Sugar Mix slot
Popular iGaming content provider BGaming is serving up a delectable treat with the launch of the brand new Sugar Mix slot.
Matching the ever-present demand for creative sweet-themed slot action, Sugar Mix invites players into a charming pastry shop where the shopkeeper guides them on a quest for big wins and exciting bonus action.
Sugar Mix immerses players in a colorful world of sugary delight, while an exciting Free Spins bonus round, complete with the dynamic Swap feature, keeps players on the edge of their seats for every spin. The game cooks up a tasty 4,000x maximum win, while the attractive 97.37% RTP is the icing on this delightful cake.
This flavorsome theme also lends itself perfectly to mobile gameplay, and the aesthetic will instantly resonate with players used to playing candy-colored mobile titles.
Players who want to sweeten the deal even further can treat themselves using the Buy Bonus feature, allowing them to trigger the Free Spins bonus with the Swap mechanic for 50x their stake.
Julia Alekseeva, CPO, said: “The Sugar Mix concept was created by BGamers during last year’s company Hackathon, with our development team diligently helping bring it to life.
We’ve poured a lot of creativity into crafting a world that is as delightful to look at as it is to play in. We’re particularly excited about the Swap feature, which adds an extra layer of anticipation during the Free Spins round and helps elevate the Sugar Mix from similarly themed games.”
The post BGaming Bakes Some Delicious Slot Fun with Sugar Mix appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AGS (NYSE: AGS), a leading supplier of high-performing slot, table, and interactive products and services to the global gaming industry, today announced two key appointments that will significantly strengthen its international operations. Arthur Rotziokos has been appointed as the Senior Director of Product Management – Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Richard Orozco has assumed the role of Senior Director of Product Management – International. Both report to Rob Ziems, AGS’ Chief Business and Legal Officer, who oversees international business.
“With tremendous growth potential and plenty of greenfield in international markets, AGS is well-poised to seize new opportunities on the global stage. Both Arthur and Richard bring unparalleled expertise and a deep well of gaming industry experience that will be vital to AGS’ global expansion strategy. Their leadership will be instrumental as we accelerate our international reach and advance our product offerings in these key markets,” said Rob Ziems.
Arthur Rotziokos, based in Sydney, Australia, will lead AGS’ entry into the rapidly expanding APAC market. With over three decades of experience in the gaming industry, including his most recent role as Vice President of Research & Development at Light & Wonder, Rotziokos is well-positioned to drive AGS’ strategic expansion across the region. His career spans roles at leading companies such as Ainsworth Game Technology and IGT, where he developed strong industry relationships and pioneered game development initiatives that led to business growth in global markets.
Richard Orozco, an experienced leader in international product management, will oversee AGS’ global product strategies, focusing on regions such as Latin America and Europe. Orozco joins AGS with extensive experience in managing product portfolios across international markets, including his most recent role as Vice President of Product Strategy at Ainsworth Game Technology. In his new role, he will work to drive market performance, optimize product lifecycles, and strengthen AGS’ market share in key international territories.
With both Rotziokos and Orozco taking on pivotal roles, AGS is poised to build its brand and gain a foothold in key international markets, further enhancing its commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming products and solutions to operators and players worldwide.
The post AGS Appoints Arthur Rotziokos and Richard Orozco to Lead International Growth Efforts appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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