Game Nation, the UK’s third largest High Street AGC Retailer, has appointed Andy Sessions to the role of Head of Slots, Product and Content.

Sessions joins from Grosvenor Casinos where he worked as Regional Slots Manager for the brand which has 53 venues located in major towns and cities across the UK.

In a dedicated gambling industry career he has gained experience working across the Family Entertainment Centre, Motorway Service Area, Bingo Club and Casino sectors.

Confirming the latest appointment, which follows the addition of Compliance and Audit Director Eric Howell and Sharon Lewis who has joined the Game Nation team as Marketing Development Manager, CEO Mark Jepp said: “The combination of outstanding people and the very best games on the market are central to our ability to deliver an outstanding experience for all of our customers.

“Andy is pivotal to what we are a seeking to achieve. He has an unparalleled depth of operating knowledge and his insight will help sharpen further our machine focus.”

Looking ahead to the latest chapter in his gaming industry career Andy Sessions said: “I’m delighted to be joining a progressive operator which places machines at the very heart of the experience. There’s a genuine enthusiasm and a shared commitment to set new standards and I am excited to be able to contribute to the success story.”

More than one in six students who gamble is in the ‘problem gambling category’, four times higher than the general population, according to new research.

The fourth Annual Student Gambling Survey, commissioned by GAMSTOP and Ygam, found that 17% were designated at high risk and 29% at moderate risk of gambling harm, using the threeitem Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). Male students are more likely than females to be in the problem gambling category and their mean spend on gambling is almost 1.7 times higher.

Male students who gamble are spending almost as much on their gambling as on the weekly food shop. Men’s mean spend on gambling is £33.54 per week – this compares to £36 per week on groceries, according to the most recent National Student Money Survey (2024). Almost one in ten of all student gamblers spend between £51-£100 per week on gambling – significantly more than their average weekly food shop.

One in four male students (25%) take part in online sports betting, the most popular form of gambling amongst students, and male students bet on online sports an average 91 days of the year – that equates to every other working day in an average university term.

Neary one in two students (45%) say they gamble ‘to make money’, rising to 50% amongst male students. However, the reality is different – whilst one in five claim to make money from gambling, a much higher proportion (40%) say it has affected their university experience and one in ten have struggled to afford food. And 17% are using their student loan to fund gambling.

Peer pressure appears to be a driving force for gambling – nearly one in three students who gamble say they are influenced by friends, whilst one in four cite social media. Almost one in ten are influenced by university societies – almost as significant a factor as advertising, cited by 13%.

However, more than one in two students (53%) say they are aware of support available at their university for problems with their gambling and 59% of students who gamble say they would be confident about accessing support.

The Student Gambling Survey, conducted by Censuswide, is the most comprehensive of its kind, involving 2,000 students from universities near 17 UK cities, with 49% reporting having gambled at least once in the previous 12 months. Other findings include:

• 21% of students have invested in cryptocurrency during the last 12 months. Males were more than twice as likely to have invested in cryptocurrency as females.
• 66% of students who play video games had paid for a random chance purchase in the past – one in two agreed that random chance purchases were gambling, but one in five disagreed, highlighting a need for more education about the risks of gambling-like features in video games.
• 23% of Asian student gamblers were found to experience ‘problem gambling’ according to the short-form PGSI, while low and moderate risk gambling were also elevated at 20% and 36% respectively.

The report makes four key recommendations:

1.  More targeted prevention education, taking into consideration cultural differences to better meet the needs of students from BAME backgrounds.
2. Universities should make gambling harm prevention and support an integral part of their strategies to improve student health and wellbeing, upskilling staff and doing more to communicate the availability of support.
3. More education about the risks relating to in-game purchases in video games and their similarities and differences with regulated gambling products.
4. Further research, including investigating the discrepancy between students’ motivation for gambling and the amount they spend gambling in a typical week.

As part of National Student Money Week, Ygam has teamed up with NUS Charity, the charitable arm of the National Union of Students (NUS) in the UK, to launch a new university campaign encouraging students to look out for signs of gambling harm in their peers and start conversations to raise awareness. The Silence the Stigma campaign will be launched at Queen Mary University of London on 6th March.

Fiona Palmer, Chief Executive Officer at GAMSTOP, said: “The Student Gambling Survey is an important piece of research that confirms the need for targeted support for the student community. Although gambling has decreased slightly in universities, the risk of gambling harm is far higher than in the general population and students need to be educated about the consequences of gambling in the expectation of making money. We know from the university roadshows we run with Ygam that there is an appetite amongst students to learn more about the support available, which includes self-exclusion to take a break from gambling”.

Dr Jane Rigbye, Chief Executive Officer at Ygam, said: “Ygam is now working with universities in every region of the UK, and while we welcome the decrease in the number of students experiencing gambling-related harms, students remain a cohort that engages in gambling in significant numbers. This makes our collaboration with universities essential to ensuring they have the tools to effectively support and safeguard students. It is important to recognise trends and understand the factors influencing these behaviours, including economic and social pressures. With much of student life now digital and online, we must continue to guide and educate to increase understanding and build resilience against the potential harms of gambling.”

To mark International Women’s Day on March 8th, Team Vitality is hosting Rising Day – a unique event dedicated to promoting women in esports. Free to access and open to the public, this immersive day will feature a diverse programme, including expert panels, interactive experiences, team challenges with Rising Bees players, and focused community spaces. The event aims to increase inclusion, ambition and sisterhood through gaming and competition.

A PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO RAISE AWARENESS OF HIGH-LEVEL COMPETITION

From 2pm – 5pm CET, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a unique esports and gaming experience through a variety of workshops and activities:

• Roundtable “The Future of Women in Esports (2:30pm – 4pm CET): A roundtable discussion featuring players, key industry figures, and influencers such as Loupiote, Marie Palot and Minaleyy. Discussions will explore the impact of initiatives and support programmes for women players, the evolution of women’s competitions and their economic influence, and career opportunities in esports beyond competing professionally, followed by a Q&A session.
• Meet and Greet (4pm – 4:30pm CET): An opportunity for guests to meet Team Vitality’s all-women League of Legends team, the Rising Bees.
• Interactive Gaming Experience – “Rise and Compete” (4:30pm – 5pm CET): Gaming sessions with and against the Rising Bees on League of Legends, esports quizzes, and team challenges designed to highlight the importance of collaboration and strategic thinking.
• Photoshoot (4:30pm – 5pm CET): Attendees can wear Team Vitality lifestyle apparel and experience a professional-style photoshoot.
• Collaborative Fresco (all day): Attendees will be invited to contribute to a collective piece of art by sharing messages around the theme “The future of esports according to you”.

WOMEN’S ESPORTS AMBASSADORS TAKE CENTRE STAGE

At the heart of Rising Day, a roundtable discussion will bring together esports experts to explore the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving industry.

The first part will examine the future of women in esports by highlighting the impact of initiatives and support programs, the evolution of women’s competitions and their economic impact, as well as career opportunities beyond playing professionally.

The second part will address managing toxicity on social media and the mental health of women players. Alongside several Rising Bees players, the conversations will focus on how to navigate social media while combatting toxicity, strategies for creating a safer gaming environment, and the importance of mental preparation ahead of competitive performances.

For the guest speakers, Team Vitality is proud to welcome:

• Minaleyy – Streamer & creator of the ELITE FE project
• Marie Palot – TV Host
• Loupiote – Streamer & amateur gamer
• Evalunna – Rising Bees player
• Crowmac – Rising Bees player
• Shâ – Rising Bees player
• Christine Kev – Women in Gaming
• Myriam Hocquel – Nutritionist & Sports Coach

TEAM VITALITY : TOWARDS A MORE INCLUSIVE ESPORTS SCENE

For the past four years, Team Vitality has made the development of women’s esports a top priority. Their partnership led to the creation of the French Bees women’s team, in partnership with ALDI in 2023, which evolved into the Rising Bees in 2024. Together, they are working towards building a fairer and more inclusive esports ecosystem.

Through Rising Day, Team Vitality reinforces its dedication to breaking down barriers, fostering inclusivity, and creating new opportunities for women players in competitive gaming.

“Esports should be a place where everyone can grow, thrive, and shine. Through Rising Day, we hope to raise awareness, inspire, and create a supportive environment where players can reach their full potential. Our partnership with ALDI France shows our commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible competitive scene” said Fabien “Neo” Divide, President and Co-Founder, Team Vitality.