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UK Gambling Commission publishes new report on children and gambling trends
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The Gambling Commission has said stronger partnerships are needed to protect children following a new report published today. The gambling regulator has called for regulators and businesses across industries to work together, but the research also shows the important influence parents can have on children’s gambling behaviour.
This year’s Young People and Gambling report reveals that gambling participation by 11 to 16 year olds has increased in the last 12 months but remains lower compared to all previous years. However, the research indicated that more children are at risk of being harmed by gambling.
The report identifies the most common gambling activities that children are engaging in are often outside of the Gambling Commission’s direct regulatory control – such as bets between friends, lottery scratch cards purchased by parents and playing of fruit machines in pubs. It highlights the need for a more collaborative proactive approach to protect young people.
Despite the increase in problem gambling rates the report found that only 19% of children said their parents had set strict rules about gambling.
Tim Miller, Executive Director at the Gambling Commission, said: “Protecting children from the harms that can come from gambling remains one of our highest priorities. In the areas we have regulatory control, we continue to strengthen the protections in place to prevent underage gambling, such as our recent proposals for enhanced age verifications checks for online gambling.”
“But regulation alone cannot address all of the risks that young people may face from gambling. Our latest research shows that the most common forms of gambling by children do not happen in gambling premises. Some of these are legal, such as bets between friends; some of these are unlawful, such as gambling on machines in pubs. But all of them present risks to young people as there is no form of gambling that is risk-free. It is therefore vital that all those with a part to play in protecting children and young people – parents, businesses and regulators – work together.”
Last week, the Commission called on the pubs industry to take urgent action following serious failures to stop children playing on 18+ gaming machines. In addition, in September 17 global gambling regulators teamed up with the Commission to work together to address the risks created by the blurring of lines between video games, social gaming and gambling. The Commission is also currently consulting on strengthening age verification processes.
Key findings
- 14% of 11-16 year olds had spent their own money on gambling in the past week, this is up from 12% in 2017 but still lower than rates seen prior to 2017
- This compared to 13% who had drunk alcohol in the past week, 4% who had smoked cigarettes and 2% who had taken illegal drugs
- The principal forms of gambling in the past week are placing a private bet for money with friends (6%), National Lottery scratchcards (4%), fruit/slot machines (3%) and playing cards for money with friends (3%)
- Young people who have gambled in the past week spent an average of £16 on gambling during this period
- Over the past 12 months, 39% of 11-16 year olds have spent their own money on gambling
- 6% have gambled online using a parent or guardian’s account
- 31% have ever opened loot boxes in a computer game or app, to try to acquire in-game items, while 3% claim to have ever bet with in-game items (so called ‘skins’ gambling)
- 59% agree that gambling is dangerous and only 14% agree that it is OK for someone their age to gamble
- Around half (49%) of respondents said that someone had spoken to them about the problems that gambling can lead to, with the conversation typically taking place with a parent (40%) or teacher (21%).
- 60% of young people think their parents would prefer them not to gamble at all, however only 19% stated that their parents set strict rules about gambling with no negotiation
- 1.7% of 11-16 year olds are classified as ‘problem’ gamblers, 2.2% as ‘at risk’
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

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Olympian Legends: Galaxsys’ New Slot Game Inspired by Ancient Myths
Galaxsys, the award-winning games developer, is proud to announce the launch of Olympian Legends, a new slot game that brings the power and majesty of ancient mythology to life.
More than just a tribute to ancient mythology, Olympian Legends combines breathtaking visuals, innovative features, and dynamic gameplay, promising players an unforgettable journey through the myths of Olympus. As players progress and reveal mythic features, they face the power of ancient gods. With cascading symbols and exciting bonuses, the game delivers a dynamic adventure that’s truly worth exploring.
This marks the third slot title that Galaxsys has announced over the last two months, following the launches of Funny Faces: Hoglet-Moglet and El Dorado.
What Makes Olympian Legends Special
Olympian Legends stands out by blending rich narrative elements with innovative slot mechanics. The progress bar on the right side of the grid consists of five elements. Each time a winning combination is formed, the progress bar fills from bottom to top, triggering a mythical feature when an element is completed. Additionally, the Buy Bonus option allows players to take fate into their own hands, enabling them to access the bonus game at any time they choose.
Dynamic animations and sound design ensure every encounter with Zeus, Poseidon, and more characters feels like stepping into an epic saga rather than playing a traditional slot.
Vigen Safaryan, CPO at Galaxsys, commented: “Olympian Legends combines strong gameplay mechanics with a detailed and dynamic theme. Our goal was to deliver a slot that feels rewarding to play while offering players a more refined experience through mythology. We paid special attention to balancing the game’s features to ensure that the experience feels dynamic, without overwhelming the player. From the visuals and animations to the way the bonuses unfold, every element was designed to create a journey that feels both entertaining and authentic.”
Olympian Legends is now live and available for Galaxsys’ global network of partners.
The post Olympian Legends: Galaxsys’ New Slot Game Inspired by Ancient Myths appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Inaugural iGaming Event for Technology Leaders: Technology in Gaming Conference 2025
The iGaming industry is getting a dedicated space for its most forward-thinking technical leaders with the launch of the Technology in Gaming Conference 2025 (TiG 2025) — an exclusive new event created specifically for CTOs, CIOs, and senior technology stakeholders in the iGaming world.
Taking place on 1st July 2025 as part of London iGaming Week in partnership with iGB Live!, this specialist conference will bring together some of the most innovative minds in technology to explore the future of cybersecurity, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, compliance, and scalability. TiG 2025 is designed to give technical leaders a forum tailored to the real challenges and opportunities shaping iGaming today and in the years to come.
“I am delighted to see other organisers bringing their own events that meet the need of specialist verticals within the industry as part of London iGaming week. The team at iGB L!VE are pleased to be able to support this event, and encourage iGaming senior IT professionals to join what we know will be an event that offers excellent content and networking opportunities for them” said Naomi Barton, Portfolio Director at Clarion – Organiser of iGB Live!
Topics on the agenda include:
- Scalable architecture & infrastructure
- AI & machine learning in iGaming
- Compliance & security in regulated markets
- Future-ready platform innovation
- Engineering teams, DevOps, and automation
“As an industry driven by technology I think it’s important to create a space that speaks specifically to the leaders developing and driving the change that has such a big impact on the growth and development of such an exciting sector” commented Shona ODonnell, Event Director.
Pretty Technical, a leading provider of iGaming software and platform solutions, is proud to be named the headline sponsor of this inaugural event. The company’s commitment to innovation and modern architecture makes it a natural fit for an event designed to shape the next chapter of gaming tech.
“As a business that thrives on building technology designed for the next decade, not the last, we’re thrilled to support TiG 2025 and connect with the talented tech leaders shaping the future of iGaming,” said Emma Blaylock, CEO Pretty Technical.
The event is also sponsored by Claranet, experts in modernising and managing critical applications and infrastructure 24×7, and Marshall Wolfe, a dedicated hiring consultancy specialising in digital and technology sectors.
Registration is now open with tickets currently discounted by £200 until 31st May.
The post Inaugural iGaming Event for Technology Leaders: Technology in Gaming Conference 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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EveryMatrix goes ‘back to where it all began’ with new London office opening
EveryMatrix has opened a new central London office, 17 years after it was founded in the UK capital.
Located in the heart of the city on the 25th floor of the newly opened 258,000 sq ft HYLO building in Old Street, London, the premium office space is home to various EveryMatrix teams, including several members of its OddsMatrix sports platform division.
The HYLO has been described as one of London’s most exciting new buildings, boasting a high rise tower and large, efficient podium floors plus roof gardens and new public spaces all within the popular Shoreditch area.
Team members include UK-based ex FSB Technology employees who have successfully integrated into EveryMatrix, following its acquisition last year. Many of the team have been responsible for delivering the Group’s new horse racing product.
Built from the ground up in just six months, the EveryMatrix racing product is fully managed by the expert, award-winning former-FSB trading team in London. The solution offers a wide range of global content, round the clock streaming, multiple derivative markets, granular price management and dynamic cross-product bonusing.
Designed to appeal to core racing markets such as the UK & Ireland and South Africa, customers also benefit from integration into EveryMatrix platform technology, offering increased scale, next generation user experience, enhanced bonusing and increased automation.
The new EveryMatrix London office is the third new global location to be opened this year with Chang Mai in Thailand and Cebu in the Philippines welcoming teams in March. This takes the total number of global EveryMatrix offices to 15 employing more than 1,400 staff.
The EveryMatrix workforce has increased by 40% since last March when the company announced its 1,000th employee while simultaneously cutting the ribbon on a state-of-the-art, sustainably developed and built office for more than 500 staff in Bucharest.
Ebbe Groes, Group CEO and Co-Founder, EveryMatrix, said: “We’re back where it all began when Stian [Hornsletten] and I co-founded the business in 2008. This new opening brings back so many fond memories and I’m personally delighted to see the business come back full circle.
“The space is magnificent and one of the best I’ve ever seen offering our teams here superb working conditions, multiple benefits and the ideal central London location.
“Our growth is showing no bounds and this new UK location highlights just how ambitious we are to continue growing and working with premium, tier-1 customers who we can now host in one of Europe’s best cities.”
The post EveryMatrix goes ‘back to where it all began’ with new London office opening appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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