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New GambleAware-commissioned Research Warns of High Risks from Gaming Machines, Online Casino Games and Loot Boxes

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GambleAware, the leading charity and commissioner of gambling harms prevention and treatment services in Great Britain, has published a new report looking at which types of gambling pose the highest risks of harm.

GambleAware commissioned Bournemouth University to conduct research exploring the relative risks of harm associated with different types of gambling including land-based electronic gaming machines, online casino games, loot boxes and the National Lottery draw.

The research found that land-based electronic gaming machines in bookmakers and casinos and online casino games, which both offer the possibility of quick rewards and a fast pace of play, were associated with the highest level of risk. Usage of electronic gaming machines was the biggest predictor of someone going on to experience future gambling harms and those using land-based electronic gaming machines were found to be over 10 times more likely than average to be experiencing “problem gambling” while those using online casino games were four times more likely than average to experience harm.

The report calls for more restrictions on the availability and design of electronic gaming machines, including reducing the number of machines in venues, lowering stakes and implementing mandatory breaks. More restrictions are also called for on online casino games, to focus on responsible design, as well as for gambling operators to continue to develop and enhance systems to provide personalised support for online customers displaying signs of risk indicators such as spending large amounts of time or money.

The research also looked at other products which are often not viewed as traditional gambling including loot boxes and the National Lottery.

Loot boxes, which often feature in games aimed at children, can blur the lines between gaming and gambling, and were also found to carry risks. The research discovered that fifty percent of people who use loot boxes in computer games are at any level of risk. Those who used loot boxes exhibited a high likelihood of experiencing “problem gambling”, as using them inherently increases the risk due to their accessibility, immersive nature, and the blending of gaming and gambling environments. The report recommends that the effects of gambling-like elements in video games, such as loot boxes, should be investigated and more should be done to restrict their use among young people aged under 18.

The research also showed the National Lottery draw has a high reach into communities experiencing gambling harms. An estimated 600,000 people experiencing “problem gambling” were found to be using the National Lottery draw, while 500,000 people experiencing “problem gambling” use scratch cards. The report recommends that the National Lottery should signpost people to support services such as GambleAware, to help any lottery players who may be experiencing gambling harms.

The number of different types of gambling people take part in was also found to have a major impact on the risk of gambling harm. The report showed that the level of “problem gambling” increases in line with the number of types of gambling activities people participate in, and increases more after two activities. Therefore the report also calls for gambling operators to create shared databases to identify people doing several different types of gambling who are at an increased risk of gambling harms.

Zoë Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, said: “No form of gambling is completely without risk. However this new research shows that there are some particular types of gambling which can lead to an increased chance of experiencing gambling harm, which can have a corrosive effect on people’s lives, finances, careers and relationships.

“The research also brings into question some of the measures outlined in the Gambling White Paper such as relaxations in land-based gambling , which could lead to an increase in electronic gaming machines in venues, and having different online slot stake limits for those aged over 25 – we believe people over 25 should have the same lower limits as those who are younger. The report suggests the measures do not go far enough to protect people. This is why we are calling for the recommendations in this report to be adopted as they will help ensure that people can be better protected.”

Dr Ruijie Wang, from Bournemouth University, said: “This research was designed to explore the risks of harm from different types of gambling in the context of regulatory changes that were proposed within the UK government’s Gambling White Paper. The results highlight the need for more stringent gambling regulation, particularly in online slots and land-based electronic gaming machines due to their high risk of harm to young adults. More regulation is also needed to limit gambling-like practices in video gaming, such as loot boxes, to individuals aged over 18 years as the interaction between video gaming and gambling should not be ignored.”

The post New GambleAware-commissioned Research Warns of High Risks from Gaming Machines, Online Casino Games and Loot Boxes appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Booming Games Powers into Winter with Polar Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme 25,000!

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The legendary migration charges into the holiday season with Polar Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme 25,000, a festive twist on the fan-favourite, now featuring a massive 25,000x Grand Bonus! Snow blankets the plains, but the action blazes hotter than ever as buffalo roam through a wintry wilderness of fierce wolves, mountain lions and soaring eagles.

This 5×3, 25-payline slot is brimming with action-packed features and frosty excitement. Trigger the Buffalo Bonus by landing Value symbols, and spin the Wheel of Fortune when you land 5 or fewer coins for a shot at multipliers, the Mini Bonus, Major Bonus or even the Hold and Win Extreme feature!

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“With Polar Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme 25,000, we wanted to give a legendary title a bold new life for the holiday season,” said Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games. 

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The post Booming Games Powers into Winter with Polar Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme 25,000! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Ra’s Reckoning unleashes an epic clash of Egyptian gods

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Play’n GO pits sun god Ra against serpent deity Apophis in Ra’s Reckoning, a mythic grid slot inspired by the celestial battles of ancient Egypt.

Ra’s Reckoning brings players face to face with an age-old mythic struggle – the eternal duel between light and chaos. Set in the scorched valleys of Egypt, this 6×5 cascading grid slot casts Ra, the all-seeing sun god, against the monstrous serpent Apophis, a primordial force of destruction. As players traverse this divine battleground, the looming presence of a blood-red eclipse intensifies the conflict, culminating in Ra’s cosmic reckoning.

Following in the footsteps of titles like Legacy of Egypt and Scroll of Dead, Ra’s Reckoning deepens Play’n GO’s commitment to storytelling through dynamic grid-based mechanics. The game’s escalating tension and vivid visual narrative ensure that Ra’s divine war leaves a lasting impression.

Divine Frames track the intensity of Ra’s power, upgrading through bronze, silver, and golden tiers as wins build. When Ra’s Blessing symbol appears, it unleashes these stored energies – revealing Coins, Jars, and Clash multipliers that bring the grid to life with celestial fury. The Mega Drop feature clears the grid of matching symbols beyond the winning cluster, pushing the chaos ever forward.

During Free Spins, Divine Frames persist between rounds, letting Ra’s influence grow stronger. In the heightened Divine Red Eclipse mode, these frames become super sticky, keeping the pressure on Apophis in a showdown of escalating divine forces.

Fans of Rich Wilde and the Amulet of Dead or Book of Dead will find familiar inspiration in this richly layered Egyptian mythos. Where those games explored the secrets of the underworld, Ra’s Reckoning elevates the stakes – delivering a god-level confrontation shaped by precision mechanics and narrative continuity.

Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play’n GO said: “Ra’s Reckoning exemplifies our passion for combining thematic storytelling with innovative features. The evolving Divine Frames and Mega Drop mechanic create a sense of momentum and consequence with every cluster.”

Ra’s Reckoning is a high-impact grid slot where every move builds towards a celestial clash between order and oblivion.

The post Ra’s Reckoning unleashes an epic clash of Egyptian gods appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Tom Horn Gaming strengthens its presence in Czech market through partnership with Kingsbet.cz

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Leading iGaming software supplier Tom Horn Gaming has announced a new partnership with Kingsbet.cz, marking another significant step in the company’s strategic expansion within the Czech market.

The collaboration sees Tom Horn Gaming’s engaging suite of top-performing games, including player favourites like 81 Frutas Grandes, Book of Aladdin, Flaming Fruit Deluxe, and 243 Crystal Fruits Deluxe, go live with Kingsbet.cz, providing Czech players with access to a rich selection of locally tailored gaming content.

With a portfolio built on distinctive mechanics that combine classic slot features popular among Czech players with innovative twists, the supplier is steadily enhancing its market presence and remains committed to delivering gaming titles tailored to local player tastes.

“The Czech Republic is one of our key regulated markets with strong potential, and the partnership with Kingsbet.cz, a trusted and fast-growing operator in the region, is another step in our expansion plans,” said Ondrej Lapides, CEO at Tom Horn Gaming. “We’re firmly focused on deepening our footprint in the region and delivering premium localised entertainment that Czech players love while supporting our operator partners’ growth in this dynamic market.”

David VanekCEO at Kingsbet.cz added: “Partnering with Tom Horn Gaming brings tremendous value to our offering. Their portfolio combines quality, innovation, and an understanding of what Czech players enjoy most. We’re confident this collaboration will help us deliver even more engaging gaming experiences and strengthen our position in the market”.

This latest partnership underlines Tom Horn Gaming’s continued focus on regulated market growth, reinforcing its mission to bring distinctive and entertaining gaming experiences to players worldwide while building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with operators in key regions.

The post Tom Horn Gaming strengthens its presence in Czech market through partnership with Kingsbet.cz appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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