Latest News
New Research Shows Nearly Half of Student Gamblers are Gambling More than they can Afford
Nearly one in two university students who gamble say they are staking more than they can afford, the latest Annual Student Gambling Survey has revealed.
The survey of 2,000 students across the United Kingdom found that student gamblers are losing £35.25 a week on average. To fund their gambling, 32% are dipping into their savings, 23% are using their student loan, 10% are using money from their parents and, concerningly, 8% are using their overdraft.
The findings have been released after the government announced that 18 to 24-year-olds will be limited to a maximum £2 per spin for online slots. Gambling operators will perform ‘passive’ checks on players with a net loss above £125 each month or £500 per year.
The survey also incorporated the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) to measure at-risk gambling behaviour. It revealed 28% of students who gamble are at ‘moderate risk’ with 21% in the ‘problem gambling’ category.
The independent research, in its third year, was jointly commissioned by GAMSTOP, the national online self-exclusion scheme, and Ygam, a leading education charity that delivers harm prevention programmes aimed at safeguarding children and young people against gaming and gambling harms.
Six out of ten students say they have gambled in the last twelve months and 48% of that group admit they have staked more than they can afford in that period. Nearly half of those who gamble say they do it to make money (46%) and one in four enjoy the risk (24%).
Friends remain the biggest influence on student gambling (34%) followed closely by sports events (26%) and social media (25%). This demonstrates the need to educate young people on safer gambling habits. Four out of ten have been criticised by other people for their gambling or have been told they are gambling too much and more than half admit feeling guilty about their gambling.
Gambling also has wider implications with 46% saying it has affected their university experience including trouble paying for food, attempting to access hardship loans and missing social activities and work deadlines. One in 16 student gamblers reported that they have deferred or considered dropping out of university due to their gambling.
Over the past twelve months GAMSTOP and Ygam have visited more than 30 university campuses across the United Kingdom to raise awareness of gambling harms among students and the support that is available. Ygam has also delivered training to university and student union staff. Reassuringly, 60% of students say they feel comfortable accessing university gambling support; an increase on last year.
The survey has been published immediately after National Student Money Week 2024, which was themed ‘Less Risk, More Reward – Maintaining your Financial Wellbeing at University’ and included advice on risky behaviours such as gambling.
This year’s research also investigated student attitudes to spending money on microtransactions in video games. Critics argue that monetised features such as loot boxes share clear similarities with traditional forms of gambling. While 70% of student gamers have paid real money for these random chance items in games, only 51% recognise this as gambling.
“Whilst millions of people gamble safely and without harm, we know that young adults can be more vulnerable to gambling related harms, which is why we recently introduced online slot limits specifically for 18 to 24-year-olds,” Stuart Andrew MP, Gambling Minister, said. “Alongside this, we are introducing a host of measures this year that will better protect young people from gambling harms including financial risk checks, tighter controls on advertising, and marketing and a statutory levy on gambling operators.”
“This is the third year that we have run research and insights into the student gambling landscape, which underpins our Gambling Support University Tour, educating students about gambling risk and signposting them to support,” the Chief Executive Officer for GAMSTOP, Fiona Palmer, said. “We have seen a significant spike in the number of young people registering for self-exclusion, with 16 to 24-year-olds making up around in one in four of GAMSTOP registrants, and this shows the importance of educating them about risk before they develop a problem.”
“Since last year’s report, students have faced increased financial strain amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis,” the Chief Executive Officer for Ygam, Dr Jane Rigbye, said. “Despite a notable decrease in gambling participation rates among students over the past three years, problem gambling prevalence rates remain stable, significantly higher than those in the general population. We know the multifaceted harms associated with gambling extend beyond financial implications and any level of harm is unacceptable.
“With gambling seemingly entrenched in university culture and participated in by the majority of students, the importance of our educational programmes with students and universities cannot be overstated. There is a growing demand for our training and resources from universities that recognise the necessity of implementing harm prevention measures. We encourage all those working in university settings to work to implement harm prevention strategies on campus and we are ready to support them to do this effectively.”
Censuswide surveyed 2,000 university students in the United Kingdom (18+) with a 50/50 gender split from December 8 to December 20, 2023.
If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s gambling, the National Gambling Support Network provides free help and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have care or influence over a child or young person and want more information about gambling harms and how to prevent them, you can register for a free online workshop through www. Ygam. org.
Latest News
Genting Casino Launches the £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge with VIP finale at Resorts World Birmingham
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Premium online casino brand Genting Casino has announced the launch of its headline £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge, an exciting promotion offering players the chance to spin for £20,000 grand prize in a roulette showdown at Resorts World Birmingham in December.
Live now until 17 November 2025, this exclusive multi-channel promotion gives eligible UK online casino customers the opportunity to get free spins on deposit, compete in a leaderboard by playing selected games, and secure a place in a live-filmed casino tournament, culminating in a single spin worth £20,000.
Players can opt in by making a deposit of £10 or more at Genting Casino using the bonus code WIN20K, which grants 150 free spins on Big Bass Splash, 10 leaderboard points and a shot at climbing the top 50.
The top five players on the leaderboard will be invited to Resorts World Birmingham for a VIP experience including an overnight stay on the 13th December, up to £150 travel reimbursement and entry into a high-stakes live roulette tournament. The overall tournament winner will claim the Grand Prize Spin which could be worth £20,000.
Those finishing between 6th and 50th place on the leaderboard will receive 100 free spins on Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Catch 2.
Mike Vella from Genting Casino said: “We’re thrilled to offer our unique £20k spin promotion to online customers again, culminating in our unique live finale. The campaign brings players from screen to casino floor in a spectacular fashion and is part of our commitment to capitalise on the exclusive journey we can offer our online customers thanks to our partners at Resorts World Birmingham.”
Leaderboard points are earned playing Online Slot Games and selected Live Tables. Double points are available on specific games on certain weeks with eligible titles including Genting Live Roulette from Manchester, Lucky Lady’s Charm Deluxe and Fishin Frenzy The Big Splash.
The final five players will participate in a filmed, bracket-style live roulette tournament at Resorts World Birmingham, with one last spin deciding who walks away with the life-changing top prize.
Winners will be contacted on 19 November 2025, and the live tournament date will be on 13 December 2025.
This is another example of Genting Casino offering customers a chance to play their favourite online games in order to climb the leaderboard to win prizes from cash following on from previous promotions which offered winners experiences including trips to see some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
Genting Casino offer a premium online experience with over 7,000 casino games ranging from the classic casino table games including live roulette, blackjack and a catalogue of online slots and instant win games from leading studios and providers, including favourites like Starburst, Fishin’ Frenzy and Book of Dead, all within a safe and secure gaming environment.
The post Genting Casino Launches the £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge with VIP finale at Resorts World Birmingham appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Izabel Hakim, Head Project Manager at 7777 gaming, joins us for an exclusive conversation ahead of HIPTHER’s European Gaming Congress – HIPTHER Warsaw Summit 2025.
A recognized professional with a strong background in Product Development and Business Management, Izabel has nearly a decade of leadership experience in the iGaming sector. At 7777 gaming, she plays a pivotal role in driving product innovation across the company’s two key verticals: lottery and online casino.
As a General Sponsor of EGC 2025, 7777 gaming will showcase its cutting-edge iLottery solutions and 200+ game portfolio, reflecting its mission to create games for every player, niche, and taste.
Izabel, as Head Project Manager at 7777 gaming, you’ve been shaping product development in both lottery and online casino. From your perspective, how is iLottery evolving today, and why is it becoming such a central pillar of iGaming?
iLottery has evolved far beyond its traditional image of paper tickets and live draws. What we’re seeing today is the transformation of lottery into a dynamic, digital-first experience, one that resonates with modern players who value interaction, instant results, and engagement.
At 7777 gaming, we see iLottery as a bridge between tradition and innovation. It retains the thrill of chance that people love, but now enhanced with engaging visuals, storytelling, and personalized digital features. This evolution makes iLottery not just another vertical, but a central pillar of iGaming’s future, one that connects generations of players through technology and creativity.
7777 gaming is known for its bold creativity – from cinematic storytelling and unique mechanics to the expansive 7777 Multiverse. How do these innovations translate specifically into your iLottery products?
Creativity is our universal language, it flows through everything we create. The 7777 Multiverse isn’t just a feature, it’s a philosophy that connects our entire portfolio. Within iLottery, that means moving beyond static experiences and turning every game into a journey.
We weave storytelling and visual immersion into lottery formats that feel alive, games where the player isn’t just waiting for numbers but engaging with dynamic worlds, symbols, and rewarding mechanics. Our goal is simple: To make every draw feel like part of a bigger, evolving adventure. You can already see that spirit in one of our newest fully customizable Raffle Lottery products.
Only five years after launching, 7777 gaming is certified in 14 regulated jurisdictions and continues to expand globally. How does compliance ensure your iLottery solutions fit the specific needs of each market?
Compliance is one of our strongest assets. We don’t view it as a limitation, we see it as the framework that allows sustainable innovation to thrive. Every product we build is designed with regulation in mind from day one, ensuring that creativity and compliance evolve hand in hand.
When working with lotteries, the regulatory landscape can be even more complex, as in many cases the country itself is the regulatory body. That’s where our experience truly shines. We’ve successfully customized our iLottery solutions for national operators such as the National Lottery in Moldova, Azerloterya, the National Ukrainian Lottery, and others, each with its own technical, legal, and local specifics.
This hands-on experience enables us to adapt quickly to diverse jurisdictions while maintaining the creative quality, reliability, and security that define 7777 gaming. Our compliance-first mindset ensures that wherever our partners operate, our products not only meet the highest standards but also deliver the same trusted, engaging experience to every player.
Lottery has traditionally been seen as more static compared to casino gaming. How are you and your team reimagining iLottery to make it more engaging for the next generation of players?
We’re reimagining iLottery as something vibrant, social, and interactive, but also as a bridge between traditional and digital play. Many players are still accustomed to the offline lottery experience, so our goal is to guide that transition online by offering products that feel familiar, yet reimagined with fresh, engaging, and interactive twists that keep them playing longer.
Our strategy is built on variety and adaptability. We offer everything from instant win games and keno, to bingo, raffle lotteries, and themed or localized content tailored to specific markets with over 70 games for our lottery vertical. This range ensures that every player, whether they’re just discovering iLottery or already part of the digital ecosystem, can find something that resonates with their habits and preferences.
It’s all about giving players agency, connection, and excitement. We want iLottery to feel not just like a game of chance, but an evolving experience that fits naturally into how people play, connect, and engage today.
Community engagement and mentorship are passions you’ve personally championed. How do these values influence the way 7777 gaming develops products and connects with players in the iLottery space?
I’ve always believed that great products come from great teams, and great teams are built on trust, mentorship, and shared curiosity. At 7777 gaming, we nurture that culture through open collaboration, cross-functional creativity, and constant learning. Every project is a collective effort, shaped by diverse ideas and perspectives.
This mindset directly influences how we build our iLottery products. When your team feels empowered and inspired, it reflects in the final result – games that are thoughtful, well-crafted, and full of personality. It’s that internal synergy that allows us to consistently innovate and deliver experiences that stand out in the market.
Looking ahead, what can we expect next from 7777 gaming in the iLottery vertical? Are there particular innovations, markets, or partnerships that excite you most as you expand further?
The next phase of our lottery journey is all about personalization and deeper player engagement. We’re using data-driven insights to understand what excites players most and to craft experiences that truly speak to their preferences, blending the best of both verticals we work with – lottery and casino into fresh, hybrid formats that feel modern and intuitive.
We’re also entering new regulated markets and strengthening strategic partnerships that reflect our vision of responsible, engaging, and borderless entertainment. The opportunities ahead are exciting and 7777 gaming will continue to set new standards for innovation and creativity in future.
Thank you, Izabel, for sharing your insights on how 7777 gaming is redefining iLottery with innovation, compliance, and a people-first approach. We look forward to hearing more from you on stage at the European Gaming Congress 2025!
Join us at the European Gaming Congress 2025 | 30–31 October | Warsaw
Meet 7777 gaming and discover how they’re shaping the future of iLottery and iGaming.
The post Shaping the Future of iLottery: 7777 gaming’s Izabel Hakim on Innovation and Engagement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
GR8 Tech has joined forces with East African iGaming brand BongoBongo. Active across Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya, BongoBongo is known for its bold growth strategy and sharp market focus. Now, that momentum continues with the launch of GR8 Tech’s ULTIM8 Sportsbook—a high-performance solution built for ultimate speed, scale, and competitive edge.
While the iFrame integration already powers live operations, BongoBongo is also one of the first brands to leverage GR8 Tech’s robust backend integration via API. This will enable BongoBongo to take full control of the front end, tailoring the player experience to its brand vision while relying on GR8 Tech’s infrastructure under the hood. It’s a heavyweight blend of freedom and firepower, built for operators ready to differentiate and dominate.
“As we continue to grow across Africa and expand our local teams, having a high-performance sportsbook that complements our casino-first strategy is key. GR8 Tech gives us exactly that: the freedom to shape our frontend on top of a powerful, scalable engine. With the ULTIM8 solution and API, we’re ready to raise the bar for our players,” said Randy Heyrowsky, CEO at BongoBongo.
GR8 Tech’s Proven Success in Africa
GR8 Tech has already demonstrated strong traction in Africa by delivering a custom light sportsbook frontend for a regional operator in 2024. Designed for real-world conditions typical for the region, such as slow networks, older devices, and limited bandwidth, the solution prioritized speed and performance. The results were striking: conversion from registration to first deposit rose by 12% and user retention more than doubled, from 10% to 25%.
It was a strategic localization. GR8 Tech’s ability to blend performance engineering with market-specific UX shows what’s possible when products are built to meet the moment. In Africa and beyond, this is how heavyweight platforms win.
“Every market has its own demands, and success comes from listening closely and building accordingly. With Africa, we’ve proven that smart technical decisions drive long-term value. Now, with BongoBongo, we’re doubling down on that principle. They have bold plans and deep market insight, and we’re excited to support their next phase with tech that’s fast, flexible, and built to scale with their vision,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech.
Connect with GR8 Tech at the upcoming SiGMA Central Europe to discover new developments and explore opportunities.
The post BongoBongo Partnership Boosts GR8 Tech’s Expansion in Africa appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News2 months ago
Light & Wonder to Participate in the 2025 Australasian Gaming Expo
-
Latest News2 months ago
ReferOn Shortlisted for Acquisition & Retention Partner of the Year at SBC Lisbon 2025
-
Latest News2 months ago
Gavin Hamilton Joins Sports & Wellbeing Analytics as Chairman to Accelerate Global Expansion
-
Latest News3 months agoDigiPlus Backs Stricter Online Gambling Regulation
-
Latest News3 months agoCEO of MEDIA24 Interviewed: Industry Scams, Business Insights and SEO
-
Latest News1 month ago
Duels for Friends in Trophy Hunter. Invite your friends and create a shared space for fun and competition.
-
Latest News2 months ago
BC.GAME Launches “Nezha” Slot with Up to 46,656 Ways to Win and 10,000x Max Payout
-
Affiliate Succes3 months ago
Affiliates as Market Movers: How Content and Rankings Influence Operator Success
You must be logged in to post a comment Login