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Self-exclude From Gambling To Avoid Temptation During Lockdown – Warning To Vulnerable Consumers


FIONA PALMER, chief executive of GAMSTOP, is urging anyone worried about their gambling while they are stuck at home during the coronavirus lockdown to exclude themselves from all online gambling websites.
Fears have been raised by MPs that vulnerable customers will increasingly turn to online gambling as a distraction at the very time when they can least afford it, leading to a surge in gambling-related harm. The Gambling Commission has issued new guidance to all licensed companies to keep customers safe and the Betting and Gaming Council, which represents operators, has published a ten-point plan for its members to follow.
GAMSTOP is a free service that allows consumers to exclude themselves from gambling websites. By registering with GAMSTOP, consumers can choose to restrict themselves from all UK-licensed online gambling sites for a minimum period of either six months, a year or five years.
More than 130,000 people have registered with GAMSTOP since the scheme went live in April 2018, with 73% opting to self-exclude for five years, the maximum period available. Early evidence shows that nine out of ten consumers who chose to self-exclude for a shorter period have not returned to gambling at the end of their chosen timeframe, which means their self-exclusion has automatically remained active.
Fiona Palmer, chief executive of GAMSTOP, said:
“We are concerned that, at a time when so many people are being forced to stay at home during the coronavirus, vulnerable consumers who may have an issue with their gambling might be tempted to spend money they do not have on online gambling. We want to make them aware that GAMSTOP provides a free, simple and secure solution for anyone who wants to take a break from online gambling.
“People generally come to us when they realise that excluding themselves from all online gambling is the first step they need to take to provide the necessary breathing space to tackle their issues with gambling. Self-exclusion is just one tool in a suite of services; we work closely with charities, such as GamCare, who offer specialist treatment, as well as with banks who provide financial blocking options to their customers and with providers of device blocking software. Our focus is to help people take that first step and register with GAMSTOP rather than putting it off whilst the country is in lockdown”.
Early evidence since the nationwide lockdown triggered by Covid-19 suggests a spike in calls from users registered with GAMSTOP who are trying to lift their self-exclusion before their chosen minimum period has expired so they can begin gambling again – however, once someone has registered with the service they are prevented from doing this for their own protection.
GAMSTOP’s data shows that 42% of its users are aged 25-34 – the age group identified in the Gambling Commission’s official health survey as most likely to be classified as problem gamblers – with 27% in the 35-44 group and 13% aged 45-54, just ahead of 12% who are in the 16-24 age group. Outside London, the cities with most registered users are Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Leicester.
Darts commentator Chris Murphy, who began gambling at 17 and lost over £100,000 in a long-standing battle with the addiction which once led him to attempt suicide, credits GAMSTOP with helping him to give up gambling.
Mr Murphy, 33, from Leeds, said:
“GAMSTOP has been a game-changer for me. It has proved to be an important safety net at times when I have felt vulnerable and has allowed me the breathing space for gambling urges to pass. More recently, knowing that I can’t gamble online has helped diminish any urge to do so. GAMSTOP is not an ultimate solution for my gambling addiction, but it is a vital part of a practical toolkit that creates the space for a gambling addict like me to pursue treatment and recovery with a reduced risk of relapse.
If you want to stop gambling, signing up to GAMSTOP is a good place to start, alongside other measures such as using blocking software for gambling sites and allowing a trusted other to look after your finances for an initial period. The most important advice I can give is to seek help for your gambling problem or addiction. There are many peer-to-peer support groups and professional help is now more widely available than ever through the NHS.
In my own experience, the ability to pause and think is crucial. Taking action, such as blanket self-exclusion through GAMSTOP, can help remove the temptation to use gambling as a solution to financial or emotional problems. The COVID-19 crisis is presenting many challenges to people who may consider turning to gambling as a solution and GAMSTOP is an important form of protection against those dangers. If you are missing gambling during this crisis, I would advise using the time to reflect on your relationship with gambling and speak to somebody about it, rather than switching to the more dangerous and harmful forms of gambling that remain available in the absence of sports fixtures”.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Self-exclude From Gambling To Avoid Temptation During Lockdown – Warning To Vulnerable Consumers

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FBMDS launches Zaltik Empire – An Aztec-Inspired Adventure in the Titan Series
FBMDS proudly announces the release of Zaltik Empire, the latest addition to its Titan Series of online slot games. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Aztec civilization, this 6×5 tumble slot invites players to uncover mystical secrets hidden within lush jungles, stepped pyramids, and sacred temples.
Guided by Itzalco, the guardian of ancestral wisdom, players journey through sacred symbols — including Gold, Moon, Shield, and Temple — in search of long-lost riches. Zaltik Empire captivates with immersive animations, atmospheric sound design, and versatile mechanics optimized for Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile.
Key Features:
- Tumble slot mechanics with unlimited cascading wins
- All-symbols-pay-anywhere for flexible win patterns
- Free Spins feature with progressive multipliers
- Scatter symbol pays anywhere and retriggers spins
- Buy Bonus or Double Chance 25x for enhanced engagement
- Max win of 5000x the base bet
- RTP: 96.50%
As part of the expanding Titan Series, Zaltik Empire reinforces FBMDS’ commitment to delivering culturally rich, high-performing content. It follows the successful launches of Secrets of Scarabs and other Momentum Series titles like Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper, offering operators modular game solutions for today’s dynamic player base.
This release marks another milestone in FBMDS’ strong pace of innovation and product delivery in 2025. With a sharp focus on localized content, intuitive mechanics, and trend-responsive game design, FBMDS continues to roll out high-quality titles across multiple categories.
The brand’s agile roadmap and cross-functional development strategy have enabled it to launch new games at unprecedented speed, strengthening its position as a top-tier provider in competitive iGaming markets.
The post FBMDS launches Zaltik Empire – An Aztec-Inspired Adventure in the Titan Series appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ReferOn in the Spotlight with Two Nominations at the SBC Affiliate Leaders Awards
ReferOn, the next-gen affiliate management system, has been shortlisted in two key categories at the SBC Affiliate Leaders Awards: “Affiliate Management Platform of the Year” and “Affiliate Technology of the Year.”
These nominations reflect ReferOn’s strides in reshaping how operators run their affiliate operations and making affiliate marketing a key strategy for global brands. In 2025, the platform has expanded its capabilities, delivering new features that make management more transparent, scalable, and efficient, while maintaining its user-focused approach.
To date, ReferOn has become synonymous with making affiliate marketing simple. It has undertaken the goal of challenging legacy platforms to help empower affiliate managers with powerful yet easy-to-understand solutions, such as dynamic reporting, intuitive reward logic, multi-brand consolidation, and streamlined workflows. In turn, ReferOn has positioned itself as a trusted platform for businesses aiming to scale and maximise ROI with smarter technology.
Alex Bukin, ReferOn’s General Manager, commented on the nominations, “Recognition at this level isn’t a result of a single achievement, but from years of refining our product, listening to our users, and constant effort to improve. Our team has combined technical excellence and a deep understanding of the market to provide tools that actually work and help real affiliate managers. To be nominated for these awards reflects ReferOn’s dedication to serving our customers and delivering the best possible solutions.”
The SBC Affiliate Leaders Awards ceremony will take place on 17 September at the MEO Arena in Lisbon for a night of celebrating innovation and excellence. The ReferOn team looks forward to attending and networking with peers who push the boundaries of their respective industries.
Voting for the SBC Affiliate Leaders Awards 2025 is now open. Support ReferOn by submitting your votes here: sbcevents.com/affiliate-leaders-awards/
The post ReferOn in the Spotlight with Two Nominations at the SBC Affiliate Leaders Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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BetBrain Expands into the UK Market with Launch of British-Focused Platform
BetBrain, the very first odds comparison platform, launched in 2000, announces its expansion into the British market with BetBrain UK. The platform serves as a premier odds comparison solution focusing on informational value and responsible betting.
The launch of BetBrain UK marks a pivotal step in BetBrain’s evolution. Owned and operated by GSH Online Media, the brand continues to strive for accuracy, insight, and enhanced player protection. Its recent expansion with BetBrain NZ reflects the same mission.
Following continuous redevelopment and upgrades to the initial model, BetBrain UK represents the culmination of the brand’s identity, adding various services and guidance methods.
With this British-focused platform, the company continues its quest to steer bettors towards worthwhile and responsible opportunities in the UK market.
A Bespoke Model for UK Audiences
BetBrain UK follows sound principles and creates a user-friendly environment for users looking to compare odds across British bookmakers. It does so by providing accurate, valuable, and responsible gambling-focused guidance.
All of its listed bookmakers and casino brands are from operators with active licences from the UKGC, providing access to legitimate and qualitative betting opportunities. The main solutions provided by BetBrain UK include:
- An efficient odds comparison tool aggregating the offerings from over 100 UKGC-licensed bookmakers.
- Football predictions, match results, and free betting tips.
- A database of online casino bonuses from UKGC-approved brands.
- An AI-powered service for generating accumulators.
- Written informational support, catered to the UK iGaming context and sensibilities.
- Ongoing commitment to educating and protecting users.
Viorel Stan, GSH Online Media CEO, Addresses the Launch: “The UK digital gambling sector demands legitimacy, precision, and truthfulness. With the launch of BetBrain UK, we’ve committed to upholding these principles and providing our British audience with the utmost quality. Our development process, our work ethic, and focus on user-centric values have steered us towards a continuous improvement of our model, allowing us to provide a solution worthy of the savvy and knowledgeable British users. I am thankful for our team’s effort in this endeavour.”
The post BetBrain Expands into the UK Market with Launch of British-Focused Platform appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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