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GAMSTOP is delivering real impact for its users, independent evaluation concludes

Published

1 year ago

September 23, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

78% say of users say it delivers results and 80% would recommend the service
73% are satisfied with the service and 72% feel safer, having registered

An independent evaluation of GAMSTOP has found that its users feel safer and more in control since registering with the online self-exclusion service.

The research by Ipsos found that 78% of users said GAMSTOP had delivered the results that they were hoping for and 80% would recommend the service to others.

More than 4,650 GAMSTOP users took part in the research and 73% said they were satisfied with the service, with the number rising to 85% amongst those who no longer gamble. Three out of four felt more in control of their gambling behaviours since registering.

“GAMSTOP literally did what it said on the tin, it stopped me from being able to register with gambling websites, which was the major issue,” a service user with a five-year exclusion, who no longer gambles, told researchers.

Since its inception in 2018, more than 500,000 vulnerable consumers have registered with GAMSTOP. The evaluation found that the most common reason for registering was to stop gambling online altogether (55%), to regain control over their life (55%) and to spend less money on gambling (51%).

Three out of four users surveyed no longer gamble online and nearly one in two (48%) no longer gamble at all. GAMSTOP offers options to self-exclude for either six months, one year or five years, and users who had self-excluded for the maximum period were more likely to have stopped gambling altogether.

Whilst many users felt that GAMSTOP does not eradicate the “urge” to gamble, it provides a mostly effective physical barrier to online gambling and symbolises a commitment to stop gambling.

More than seven out of ten (72%) users said they felt safer from the negative effects of gambling. GAMSTOP reduced the short-term financial harms of gambling for individuals, as well as their close friends and family, giving them a sense of financial liberation and improving their mental and physical health.

Users reported having the time and disposable income to invest in their health and general mental well-being, easing the isolation and stress caused by concealing their gambling and freeing up time previously spent worrying about gambling. More than three out of four respondents (76%) are in work, with the largest proportion (21%) indicating they have a household income of £55,000-£99,000.

The report makes three key recommendations:

provide the option of a longer or lifetime exclusion period to give greater “peace of mind” for those who use GAMSTOP to stop gambling online altogether
communicate more frequently with users after their minimum exclusion has ended
continue advertising on social media to raise awareness amongst younger audiences

The report calls for black-market gambling to be addressed by the government, the Gambling Commission and other stakeholders through greater regulation and the imposition of restrictions on its promotion through social media. Service users raised concerns about illegal or unlicensed gambling operators, including targeted advertising of websites claiming to be “not on GAMSTOP”.

The report concludes that GAMSTOP exclusion remains an effective blocking mechanism for licensed UK online gambling operators, but some users have engaged with unlicensed gambling operators since registering with GAMSTOP. It also says that wider regulation of advertising would improve the recovery of GAMSTOP users.

The report concludes:

“The evaluation has established that GAMSTOP is an effective tool for reducing gambling-related harm for individuals seeking to exclude themselves from online gambling operators…The service provided is widely considered both satisfactory and impactful. This is most significant for individuals with a sustained commitment to reducing their gambling behaviours, seeking a lifestyle change rather than a break”.

“Our evaluation found that satisfaction with GAMSTOP is high for the majority of people who use the service. This includes registration and the overall experience of having the self-exclusion in place. The majority of people also found that GAMSTOP delivered against their expectations and that they would recommend it to others”.

GAMSTOP CEO Fiona Palmer said: “We regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the service through comprehensive independent research, and it is gratifying to know that most of our users feel GAMSTOP has helped them significantly reduce gambling-related harm.

Six out of ten users who were surveyed said they rely on GAMSTOP as their sole means of support, and we are aware of the responsibility that this brings with it. We will study the recommendations in detail, including the suggestion of extending self-exclusion periods, although exclusion periods do already continue automatically for seven years unless a user asks for it be lifted”.

The post GAMSTOP is delivering real impact for its users, independent evaluation concludes appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: