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Money and Mental Health Launches New Three-year Programme to Help Banks Tackle Gambling Harms

Published

6 months ago

November 7, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, the charity founded and chaired by Martin Lewis, has launched the Gambling Harms Action Lab — a three-year programme working with current account providers to develop and implement new tools to address gambling related harm.

Nationwide is the first financial services firm to sign up to the programme, signalling the organisation’s support for a collaborative approach to addressing gambling harms

The programme, funded from a regulatory settlement approved by the Gambling Commission, will bring together a group of five to seven financial services firms for an 18-month period, to explore and address common challenges to improving support for people experiencing gambling harm.

This will include a focus on how improving support and outcomes for customers experiencing gambling harms can help banks meet their requirements under the Financial Conduct Authority’s Consumer Duty, which came into effect in 2023.

The Duty requires firms to take a more consumer-centred approach to banking. Money and Mental Health’s programme will support firms to develop and test new tools and interventions aimed at improving outcomes, with direct input from the charity’s Research Community of people with experience of mental health problems and gambling harms.

Nationwide has become the first financial services firm to join the Gambling Harms Action Lab programme, signalling its commitment to progress and improve its offering for tackling gambling harms and work alongside other banks in the sector to tackle this ongoing challenge.

The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute has also released new research, looking at gambling harms in Britain and the role of current account providers to support the launch of the new programme of work.

Shining a light: Exploring the role of financial services in tackling gambling harms finds that there is a huge gap between the number of people in need of support for gambling harms and the number of people regularly accessing these services.

The report also found that under the Consumer Duty framework, there is more action that current account providers can and should be taking to address gambling harms. The Gambling Harms Action Lab will support innovation and the roll out of new interventions to ensure firms are meeting their obligations under this new framework.

Helen Undy, chief executive of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said: “Gambling problems can cause catastrophic harms for those affected by them. Financial services are in a unique position to help, and it’s been great to see the progress made in recent years — particularly with the introductions of gambling blocking tools, which almost every current account provider now offers.

“But there is still a lot more to be done. We want to work with banks and other financial services to share ideas, overcome the challenges that might exist to improve support for customers, and to spread best practice across the sector. The Gambling Harms Action Lab is an important opportunity for firms to help drive that progress, no matter how advanced they are or otherwise in this work.

“We’re delighted that Nationwide have come on board with the programme, and we’re urging more firms to get involved so that we can continue the momentum in tackling gambling harms that we’ve seen in recent years.”

Kathryn Townsend, Head of Customer Vulnerability and Accessibility at Nationwide said: “Greater collaboration is essential if we are to truly tackle financial harm caused by excessive or problem gambling. It’s great to see the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute leading the charge on this with the launch of its Gambling Harms Action Lab. We are delighted to be the first financial services organisation to sign up to it and look forward to working alongside them and the wider industry to make a positive difference to people’s finances, relationships and mental health.”

The post Money and Mental Health Launches New Three-year Programme to Help Banks Tackle Gambling Harms appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Adventure Awaits in Boat Bonanza CrocoNile!

Published

4 hours ago

May 2, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Play’n GO takes players on an unforgettable expedition to Egypt’s legendary Nile in Boat Bonanza CrocoNile!, filled with thrills, spills, and crocodile chills!

Captain Jim and Jane Bonanza are here, sailing into the exotic and mysterious waters of the Nile. Legend speaks of untold treasures hidden beneath its waters, guarded fiercely by crocodiles and the ominous Curse of Sobek. Fans of the Bonanza series and Egyptian adventures will find plenty to love in this latest journey packed with intriguing gameplay and captivating storytelling.

Boat Bonanza CrocoNile! introduces players to heart-pounding gameplay across a vibrant 5-reel, 12-payline slot. Experience thrilling features like Croc Carnage, where crocodiles swim onto the reels upgrading Catch Symbols, and Sobek’s Rage, an intense Lock’n Spin feature with escalating multipliers up to x10. Instant Prize rewards and engaging random features such as Spear Shot and Depth Charge add layers of excitement and align with Play’n GO’s dedication to innovative gameplay.

Fans who enjoyed previous Boat Bonanza adventures or Egyptian-themed slots such as Legacy of Egypt and Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead will find Boat Bonanza CrocoNile! irresistible. The game masterfully blends adventurous exploration with exotic Egyptian mystique, reminiscent of previous successful Bonanza titles, ensuring it will resonate deeply with players.

George Olekszy, Head of Game Retention at Play’n GO, said:

“Boat Bonanza CrocoNile! encapsulates everything players loved about our Bonanza series, but elevates the excitement with thrilling new mechanics. We’re confident that the game’s adventurous theme and innovative features will keep players coming back for more.”

With its engaging narrative, action-packed gameplay, and visually stunning setting, Boat Bonanza CrocoNile! is poised to be an adventurous addition to any slot enthusiast’s favourites.

The post Adventure Awaits in Boat Bonanza CrocoNile! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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WinSpirit Casino Earns AskGamblers Certificate of Trust

Published

4 hours ago

May 2, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

WinSpirit is proud to announce that it has officially received the Certificate of Trust from AskGamblers—one of the most respected accolades an online casino can achieve. This certificate is awarded only to platforms that demonstrate exceptional standards in key areas such as fast payouts, high player ratings, and a strong commitment to responsible gambling. It reflects WinSpirit’s dedication to player satisfaction and further strengthens the brand’s reputation as a trustworthy, high-performing casino.

With this recognition, WinSpirit reaffirms its promise to players: that their funds and personal data are protected, their rights are upheld, and their experience is both fair and rewarding.

“Receiving the Certificate of Trust is not just a badge of honour – it reflects the daily effort we put into building a casino that players and partners can rely on” — says Kate Van Engelen, PR Manager at WinSpirit.

“It motivates us to continue setting the bar high in fairness, support, and transparency,” she added.

AskGamblers is an acclaimed casino affiliate website, renowned for offering players unbiased, accurate, and up-to-date information about online casinos. The AskGamblers Certificate of Trust now takes pride of place on the WinSpirit website, serving as a clear symbol of quality, reliability, and transparency.

With over 17,000 games, a wide range of payment methods, 24/7 customer support, and generous bonuses, WinSpirit continues to set the standard for excellence in online gaming.

The post WinSpirit Casino Earns AskGamblers Certificate of Trust appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Mindway AI partners with BetComply to scale safer gambling support

Published

5 hours ago

May 2, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Mindway AI, the award-winning safer gambling software company, has enlisted the skill set of BetComply, iGaming’s most trusted technical and regulatory compliance firm, as it looks to further develop its product offering and support more operators.

The partnership will see BetComply’s Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist Jez White and his team advising Mindway AI on how its solutions can be best incorporated into operators’ safer gambling functions.

BetComply will also provide support on Mindway AI’s product roadmap and new business opportunities, with a focus on GameScanner, an advanced software solution that helps gambling operators boost player protection and intervene early to prevent at-risk gambling behaviour.

BetComply’s Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist Jez White said: “Mindway AI is at the cutting edge of safer gambling technology, and we’re excited to support their mission to raise the industry standard. Our goal is to help bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, ensuring operators can fully harness tools like GameScanner to deliver more effective, proactive player protection.”

Mindway AI’s CEO Rasmus Kjaergaard added: “We’re thrilled to be working with BetComply, where Jez and his team’s vast operational experience will be a huge asset as we continue delivering our award-winning software to more clients. We’re excited about what we can achieve together.”

In March, White joined BetComply as the firm’s first Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist, following more than eight years at Entain, where he served as Director of Player Protection Systems and Analytics.

The post Mindway AI partners with BetComply to scale safer gambling support appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.