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National Gambling Support Network helps over 110,000 people as self-referrals increase by 50% since April 2023
New data released today reveals how many people have been supported by the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) since its launch in 2023, with data also showing an increase in self-referrals by over 50% in year two. Waiting times for a first assessment are also shown to be offered after an average of just two days.
Since April 2023, the NGSN has supported over 110,000 people over the two years since launch. This is based on the number of individuals who accessed services including the National Gambling Helpline, regional providers, primary care and residential services. These fall into three tiers of support (Tiers 2-4) including assessments, brief interventions, extended brief interventions (EBI), treatment sessions, reviews and aftercare.
The impact of a region-first approach, which is designed to deliver local support and services for people, and access to providers with knowledge and understanding of the local community, can be seen through more individuals accessing support directly from their local provider, with self-referrals into the system increasing by over 50% since launch.
Brief Interventions (BI), which involve short-term strategies aimed at addressing gambling harms through time-limited conversations, allow early engagement and support before challenges escalate, and offer advice and signposting to further help if required. Increasing early support has been central to the NGSN and as a result, these have seen a significant rise in the second year of the Network, having nearly doubled with a 93% increase, from 11,000 to over 21,000 people receiving a meaningful intervention.
Person-centered support means that people are also accessing the service that works for them and around their personal lives and circumstances, such as peer support, group work and 1:1 therapy. The average waiting time for a first assessment is now an average of two days across the network.
Through increases in outreach and engagement activity and improvements to tools such as the GambleAware service finder to enhance awareness of support available amongst frontline professionals and the public, individuals are more likely to engage with local support services directly.
Since the launch of the GambleAware service finder website in July 2024, we have seen an estimated 21,000 people directed to NGSN provider referral options, which includes links to email addresses, phone numbers, self-referral forms and websites.
Those with the most severe cases of gambling harm will often require Tier 4 treatment, which is the most specialised and intensive level of care within the NGSN, where a person stays at a residential treatment centre.
Jackie Menzies, from Southport, is one person who has benefited from the support of the NGSN and its tier 4 care. Jackie started gambling when he was 20, and after realising that the effects of gambling harms were having an impact on his mental health and wellbeing, he was directed to support from Cheryl Williams at NGSN provider, Adferiad, with the service he received described as “lifesaving.”
Jackie, now 38, said: “I owe Cheryl and the team at Adferiad my life.
“From the moment I was introduced to them, I was contacted, informed, and treated with respect and understanding for both myself and my addiction. I was guided and informed of what options might be available to me and how I might be able to get help.
“I had treatment at their Parkland Place Centre and from the empowering attitudes of the staff, I have enrolled in a Level 3 counselling course at my local college, and I’m looking to the future to be able to help people who are suffering from addictions like I am to grow and be able to find peace and happiness again.”
Anna Hargrave, Deputy Chief Executive at GambleAware, says: “The second year of the National Gambling Support Network presented an opportunity to take the learnings from year one and focus on how we can best support those affected by gambling harms.
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of people being supported and importantly, an increase in brief interventions and self-referrals, which means we can support people earlier and reduce the potential for further harm.
“The expertise within the Network is unrivalled and providers play a key role in helping people across the country, whether that be at the start of their journey, or supporting them at the end. We look forward to working with the future commissioners and the NGSN with the integration of the network into the future system to ensure providers can continue offering their crucial services.”
Significant work has gone into improving the support and care individuals receive, with the NGSN delivering a range of successful interventions, from increased prevention activities and community-based early interventions to continued development on expanding more efficient pathways into structured treatment. In so doing, this has ensured and enabled more people to access support and achieve strong outcomes, through a no wrong door system to reducing the impact of gambling harms.
Joy Allen, Police & Crime Commissioner for Durham and vocal advocate for prevention of gambling harms, said: “Gambling, like any addiction, has the power to completely control the lives of those affected and those closest to them. It can negatively impact individuals financially, emotionally, socially and in terms of their mental wellbeing.
“We need to think of gambling-addiction in the same way in which we think of and support those with Drugs and Alcohol addiction. It is an illness that can lead people to commit crime to feed their addiction and those in its thrall need rehabilitation, not censure. It can certainly lead to abject misery. It is estimated that there are nearly 500 gambling related suicides a year in England highlighting the urgent need to encourage more people to seek help. In 2023 around 5% of the North East population aged over 16 was classified as an ‘at risk’ gambler, often spending more than they afford and chasing losses leading to financial strain, anxiety and stress.
“In response, and in line with the priorities I’ve placed on tackling gambling harm, Durham Constabulary has signed the National Gambling Charter which commits the Constabulary to providing specialist training for its officers so that they can identify those at risk and signpost them towards support. I urge other organisations to do the same. Collectively we can, and will, do more.”
The National Gambling Support Network is available for anyone who is experiencing harm from gambling and wants support for it, including people who are affected by someone else’s gambling. All services are free and confidential.
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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Spinomenal has released its supernatural slot, Baba Yaga Tales Hold & Hit, a fresh take on the hugely popular original hit. Players step into an eerie world of Baba Yaga dominated by a dark forest shrouded in mist and mystery. Spinomenal’s Slavic slot is presented within a frame made from twisted branches and arcane symbols, featuring the infamous Baba Yaga, her crooked forest hut, and a fiery phoenix.
PG Soft has released its swashbuckling slots adventure, Dead Man’s Riches. This latest release from PG Soft’s studio is a 5-reel, 3-row video slot featuring Travelling Wild symbols with increasing multipliers. Players must stand with two pirate crews on the hunt for one legendary treasure beneath the seas. The Wild Red Skull symbol, Wild Blue Skull symbol and Wild Captain symbol substitute for all symbols except Scatter symbol.
Million Games is excited to unveil Yin Yang, a visually stunning Chinese-themed slot that blends traditional symbolism with thrilling modern mechanics. This unique game features dual 3×3 reel sets, with synchronised spinning and Yin & Yang Bonus Symbols unlocking Free Spins with a powerful 3×6 merged grid.
Thunderkick has raised the steaks with the launch of Milk the Cow, the latest addition to its diverse content portfolio that fuses the popular Wild Field mechanic with a Hold & Win feature to unlock 5,000x jackpot wins. Whimsical cows roam the reels of this 5×5 cluster pays slot, where the Wild Field mechanic returns following its success in the recent release, Archie O’Loggins and the Enchanted Masks.
MGA Games has announced the release of its latest production: Athena’s Treasure, a 5-reel adventure slot set in Ancient Greece. In this thrilling game, players will join mythical characters like Athena, Pegasus, and Perseus in their quest for hidden treasures among forgotten temples. With stunning visual design, Athena’s Treasure offers an epic experience full of mystery, fantasy, and big win potential.
Push Gaming has launched Regal Knights, a bold new title that blends the excitement of classic slot gameplay with a dynamic medieval twist. Designed for those who enjoy the simplicity of traditional slots but want added progression and depth, Regal Knights provides a well-balanced mix of familiarity and modern game design. Central to the gameplay is the Mystery Symbol, which reveals wilds, paying symbols, or the Golden Mystery Symbol.
Stakelogic continues to expand its portfolio of visually striking, feature-rich video slots with the launch of Tiger Temple 88, a thrilling 243-ways-to-win experience set in a world of ancient riches, fierce tiger guardians, and powerful bonus mechanics. Set against the tranquil beauty of cherry blossom forests, Tiger Temple 88 draws players into a mystical world where a tiger guardian protects sacred treasures hidden deep within a long-forgotten temple.
Players set sail, spin the reels and plunder epic jackpots in Blackbeard’s Lucky Bucks Hold & Win from in-demand provider, Rival. This is a swashbuckling slot where players get to unleash the cannons and light up the reels as they command the high seas and discover the treasures within. But no pirate voyage is complete without unexpected twists and turns along the way, and that’s exactly what happens in Blackbeard’s Lucky Bucks, with a trove of bonus features ensuring plenty of action spin after spin.
Amusnet has released its latest video slot game, Caramelo Sortudo. This new dog-themed slot is with 3×3 layout and a variety of special features. This latest slot release does not feature traditional paylines. Instead, it uses a Reel Ways Pay mechanics, which means the game pays on all reel ways for combinations of a kind. Keep an eye out for the Grilled Chicken Bonus, which is triggered by landing 3 Scatter/Bonus symbols on the reel and brings various multipliers to the table.
Play’n GO turns up the heat with Fire Joker 100, the latest entry in its iconic Fire Joker series. This 3×3 video slot builds on the blazing legacy of the original, offering players a refined, retro-inspired game with intensified mechanics and a few scorching surprises. The mischievous Fire Joker returns, smirking from the reels and stacked three-high in all his fiery glory. Classic symbols like stars, sevens, and fruit sizzle against a glowing red-orange backdrop, but this familiar setup conceals powerful enhancements.
Just Slots has just announced the launch of its next game, ‘Book of Arcane 100’. In this new, magically charged adventure, players step into the role of a budding mage, learning from the most powerful spellcasters at an ancient and mysterious school of magic. Book of Arcane has max win potential of a staggering 100,000x, on top of this the game will conjure up a brand new exciting gamble feature that can boost wins.
Evoplay has released Wild Pounce, a high-volatility jungle-themed slot designed to deliver fast-paced action and strong engagement through dynamic free spins and progressive multipliers. Set deep within a tropical jungle, Wild Pounce invites players into a world of fluttering butterflies, colourful birds, and elusive jaguars. Played across a 5×4 reel layout with 25 paylines, the game’s centrepiece is its Free Spins mode, where Jumping Wilds move across the grid on every spin, increasing win potential throughout the round.
Playson, the accomplished digital entertainment supplier, cranks up the energy in its intense new release, Thunder Coins XXL: Hold and Win, where a revamped bonus game supercharges players to grand returns. Golden bells, a feast of fruit icons, and fiery red sevens instantly radiate energy across the title’s expanded 5×3 grid and 15 paylines, accompanied by golden coins and the coveted Thunder Bonus symbols.
The iconic gang of treasure-hunting misfits are back for the highly anticipated The Goonies™ Megaways™ Quest for Riches, as Blueprint Gaming™ enhances the series with boosted collect modifiers including One-Eyed Willy’s Treasure Chests. The muti-stage Cash Collect system is driven through the Treasure Map sitting above the reels where players benefit from a host of lavish modifiers for every cash collect symbol landed. Streak Collect, Expand Collect, Respin Collect, Match Collect and then Skeleton Key are unlocked before the coveted Treasure Chests.
Booming Games is turning up the heat with the launch of Burning Classics 5000, the latest and most explosive addition to its Burning Classics game series. Building on the foundation of one of the company’s most beloved titles, this revamped classic slot delivers fiery visuals, timeless gameplay, and an electrifying boost in win potential—now offering a max payout of over 5000x your stake.
ELA Games, an innovative game development studio, announces the official release of its newest title, Rabbit Winpot Deluxe. Step into the spotlight and witness a magical showdown between Rabbit the Magician and their formidable opponent, the Lion! The unique 3×1 slot reimagines slot gaming with a new and entertaining format that creates a fast gameplay environment, with each spin full of suspense.
Gaming Corps announced the launch of Hyena Heist, the next daring entry in its A-MAZE-CADES™ series. Players join a trio of mischievous Laughing Hyenas as they execute a daring bank robbery, pursuing bags of cash, bars of gold and sparkling jewels on a dynamic 5×5 grid. In Hyena Heist, every winning combination triggers the signature A-MAZE-CADES™ cascade mechanic.
Get front row seats to an epic clash between two rival gods in Battle of Myths – an action-packed addition to the Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt line-up that pits dragon against tiger in a divine skirmish where free spins and multipliers will ultimately decide the victor. Set to an imposing backdrop of mountaintop dojos jutting from the heart of the rainforest, Battle of Myths is an Asian mythology-inspired slot that sees legendary warriors fight for control of the kingdom and the heart of the princess with the help of cascading reels and powerful wild features.
The post Week 22/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The next highly anticipated gaming event on EGT Digital’s calendar is SiGMA Asia, which will be held on June 3rd and 4th in Manila. Together with EGT, the iGaming provider will welcome visitors at booth 1113 to reveal its impressive selection of innovations and bestsellers.
The guests will be able to try out EGT Digital’s wide range of over 140 casino games spanning a variety of themes, as well as further increase their chances of winning with the Bell Link, Clover Chance, High Cash, and Single Progressive jackpots. The 4-level multi-denomination Gods & Kings Link will be presented for the first time locally. It received positive feedback after its recent official debut and is expected to get a warm acceptance also from Asian operators and players. Currently including 3 games: Ape of Luck, Glorious Alexander, and Rise of Ra, with more to join in the coming months, it will offer the show attendees numerous bonuses and a lot of fun.
EGT Digital will also demonstrate X-Nave, its in-house developed “all-in-one” betting platform, providing all the tools and features needed for building and maintaining a successful online business or for improving current performance. X-Nave includes 4 main modules: Sport Product, Gaming Aggregator, CRM Engine, and Payment Gateway. Depending on the operators’ needs, each of them can be used as part of the complete solution or independently, as they can integrate with developments from third-party providers.
“EGT Digital’s products have enormous potential for the local markets, and SIGMA Asia provides us with a great opportunity to showcase them to many potential future clients in the region,” said Mariana Manchina, Director of EGT Philippines. “In addition, we are also looking forward to the prestigious SiGMA Asia Awards, where our company is shortlisted in the Best Sportsbook Provider 2025 and Best Platform 2025 categories.”
The post EGT Digital’s innovative developments to captivate visitors at SiGMA Asia 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
EGT is pleased to announce that it will participate in this year’s edition of SiGMA Asia, which will take place on 03 and 04 June in Manila. “We have prepared a fascinating selection of products developed specifically for the Asian markets, so don’t miss the chance to stop by our booth 1113 and learn more about it!,” said Mariana Manchina, Director of EGT Philippines.
Among the main highlights will be the 4-level progressive Zhao Cai Shuang Yu jackpot, which will be presented to the local gaming audience for the first time. Housed in the popular slot cabinet G 50 J1 Up, it will dive visitors into the world of its 2 games Prosperity Strike and Rising Coins, enabling them to collect special symbols and win at any bet level, with higher stakes increasing the likelihood of hitting the highest Grand level.
Sheng Sheng Bu Xi and Cai Fu Tian Jiang, which have already been successfully installed in various gaming venues across different countries, will also be on display. They will invite the guests to embark on captivating adventures that will reward them with riches and lots of fun. Numerous attractive bonus features will add even more thrill to the game, providing additional winning opportunities.
The top-performing G 50 C Up and G 50 J2 Up cabinets and the vast diversity of the General Series multigames will complement EGT’s slot display.
The company will present its ETG developments as well. The attendees will be able to try out the GS 32 T and S 32 T terminals, which feature frameless displays for crystal-clear visuals, numerous ergonomic functionalities, and enormous flexibility, allowing them to participate in endless configurations. The G RSA, EGT’s compact Standalone Automatic Roulette center, will also demonstrate its seamless connectivity to all the company’s play stations. The option to add an American roulette wheel further enriches the gaming choice and guarantees an engaging player experience.
EGT Digital will also showcase its extensive portfolio of iGaming solutions, featuring instant and casino games, jackpot products, as well as the in-house developed “all-in-one” betting platform X-Nave, which comprises four main modules. All this provides operators with a complete solution for building and maintaining a successful online business.
Ms. Manchina concluded: “SIGMA Asia is one of the most important gaming events in the region and I am glad that we will take part in it once again. Our participation in the previous 2 editions was very fruitful, having brought us many valuable new contacts and the opportunity to present our high-potential products to the key players in the local markets. I believe that our performance in 2025 will be the same, and it may even be better. This year, we are even more excited because EGT is a finalist in the SiGMA Asia Awards, where we will compete for the accolade in the Best Land-based Game Feature category.”
The post EGT’s Asian-themed products to make a splash at SiGMA Asia 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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