GambleAware has published a new research which shows that three in four members of the public want the National Lottery to do more to help people experiencing gambling harms. The charity is urging the National Lottery provider, Allwyn UK, to direct people to help and support available. Unlike other charity lotteries the National Lottery does not currently signpost to support on its advertising.

The research is based on figures from GambleAware’s forthcoming Annual Treatment and Support Survey 2024, a nationally representative online survey of almost 18,000 adults over the age of 18, conducted by YouGov. It found that the majority of the public (84%) agree that the National Lottery is a form of gambling, with almost half (46%) disagreeing that the National Lottery products are harmless. The research also found that almost three quarters (74%) of the public agree that the National Lottery should signpost people to support for gambling harm on its products. Similar research in 2023 also found that almost seven in 10 (69%) of the public also agree that National Lottery adverts should sign post to GambleAware “like other gambling adverts do”.

GambleAware is calling on the National Lottery to signpost people to gambling support services on its advertising as well as products such as tickets, scratchcards, and online instant win games. Unlike other charity lotteries, the National Lottery does not currently signpost to support on its advertising, making it an outlier in this respect.

The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee also recommended in 2022 that the National Lottery should signpost to gambling support services, such as GambleAware, but this has not been implemented.

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National Lottery products are used by millions of people each week and reach far more people experiencing gambling harms than any other gambling brand. Previous research from GambleAware found there could be up to 600,000 people experiencing “problem gambling” who take part in the National Lottery draw.

“When I gave up gambling and self-excluded myself from places I could gamble, the one thing I couldn’t bar myself from was playing the lottery in shops. When I got a craving in my early recovery, I bought £450 worth of scratch cards.

“I later moved on to buying online scratch cards, which look like fruit machines and make sounds. There was a big jackpot where you could win a million pounds so I was really lured into those and was spending a lot. I know other people experiencing gambling harm who have had similar experiences with the National Lottery, so putting information on tickets and scratch cards about where people can get support would help so much,” a woman with lived experience of gambling harm said.

“I registered on the National Lottery app, and I got a bit of a habit with the instant scratch cards on there because they make it so easy for you to play… it did lead me into financial difficulty; I wasn’t able to buy food for about a week because I’d spent the food shopping money on scratch cards,” a respondent to GambleAware’s Annual Treatment and Support Survey said.

The National Lottery’s reach amongst those experiencing gambling harm means it has a critical role to play in preventing and reducing gambling harm. This alongside its popularity and public trust in its brand, means that measures taken by the National Lottery operator to improve signposting across its products and advertising could have a substantial positive impact.

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Andy Boucher, GambleAware Chair of Trustees, said: “We recognise the great work the National Lottery has done supporting a range of worthy causes over many years. In the public’s mind, it is there to do good in the community, and so we believe it is also the right thing for it to look after the people who play the National Lottery. Allwyn, the National Lottery’s current operator, has previously stated that ‘player safety is our top priority’ and it must live up to those words and play a critical role in protecting people from gambling harms, which are a serious public health issue that can drive societal inequalities, worsen mental health issues, and increase pressure on our over-burdened health system.

“This is why we are calling for clearer signposting on the National Lottery’s products and advertising. The signposting we want to see is already a minimum standard across other charity lotteries, and we believe that it is only right that the National Lottery adopts them, as an organisation whose purpose is to benefit good causes and have a positive effect on society.”

Ian Semel, CEO of one of the National Gambling Support Network treatment providers, Breakeven, said: “At Breakeven we have over 20 years’ experience of delivering help and support to anyone affected by gambling-related harms. We are proud to be an integral member of the National Gambling Support Network and offer services across the East of England, and Kent and Sussex in the South East of England, with instant access to treatment and support without any waiting times.

“Around 11% of clients who came to us for support in 2024 disclosed that the National Lottery or scratch cards were causing them gambling harm. Therefore we have joined the call for the National Lottery to signpost to support services like us as it is crucial for people to be able to access support as soon as they recognise they may be starting to experience gambling harms.”

Pioneering platform solutions provider smashes previous personal best by adding award-winning slot developer to the Elantil Marketplace in well under two hours 

They say lightning never strikes, but Elantil continues to prove this old adage wrong by completing even speedier integrations in its online marketplace – and this month’s addition of AvatarUX Studios has smashed the company’s previous record of two hours!

An award-winning slot developer famed for its visually-striking content and unique products, AvatarUX Studios is widely known in the iGaming industry for its innovative proprietary mechanics, including the popular PopWins^TM, as well as many other engaging features like ZapReel^TM and Fortune Arrows.

Following this important strategic partnership, AvatarUX Studios’ acclaimed portfolio of content has now been added to Elantil’s Marketplace, giving the company’s customers an even wider range of gaming options to choose from – and all at cost-effective rates with terms they set themselves.

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As Elantil merely facilitates the quick and easy pairing of operators with their preferred content suppliers, businesses are free to reach out to Marketplace partners directly and form their own agreements, with Elantil then wrapping things up by providing a hassle-free, one-click integration, with no revenue sharing.

In this way, operators can scale at pace and dynamically enhance the range of services they provide, while also staying in full control of their platforms and operating the way that works best for them.

John Debono, Chief Technical Officer at Elantil, said: “As speed is so often the name of the game in this industry, we’re incredibly proud to have smashed our personal best by integrating AvatarUX Studios in under two hours. With the developer’s acclaimed range of titles and award-winning mechanics now available to partners, they’ll be able to enjoy the full benefit even faster!”

Lara Falzon, CEO at AvatarUX Studios, said: “Having blazed a path in the industry with our proprietary mechanics and innovative features, we’re delighted to be able to offer our content to new operators via Elantil’s Marketplace – and the fact we completed our integration in a matter of hours shows just how quickly we’ll be able to transform their line-ups for the better.”

Award-winning Stakelogic Brings Cutting-Edge Slots and Live Casino Action to Dutch Players!

Stakelogic, the leader in the online gaming industry, has announced a thrilling new partnership with Hommerson.nl, bringing its full suite of cutting-edge slots and live casino offerings to the Netherlands. The agreement, a historic one, will see Stakelogic’s multi-award-winning portfolio launch on Hommerson.nl through Relax Gaming, further cementing its status as a go-to destination for high-quality online casino entertainment.

Players at Hommerson.nl can now enjoy Stakelogic’s premium slot content with its captivating gameplay, innovative mechanics, and innovative features such as the timeless Spin to Win. The deal also introduces Progressive Live Jackpot, where players can win big in real time, adding another level of excitement on each spin.

Live casino enthusiasts will also be in for an immersive experience with Stakelogic Live’s newly showcased exclusive branded chromakey Roulette table, specifically designed for Hommerson.nl. In this tailor-made experience, players are treated to an intensified, high-energy casino atmosphere that’s sure to be a player’s favourite.

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Neil Tanti, Head of Sales at Stakelogic, said: “Our deal with Hommerson.nl is a significant step in our expansion in the Dutch market. By providing our whole range of innovative slot and live casino products to Hommerson.nl, we are offering players an unparalleled gaming experience. From our cutting-edge slot mechanics to our branded live Roulette table, we are committed to delivering next-generation entertainment. The deal signifies our dedication to collaboration with industry players and solidifies us as one of the market-leading providers in the Netherlands.”

Jesse Pas, Head of Marketing at Hommerson.nl said: “At Hommerson, we continuously strive to improve and innovate our online entertainment experience. That’s why we’re especially excited about our partnership with Stakelogic. Their innovative approach and industry-leading products, such as the Progressive Live Jackpot and the unique branded Roulette table, align perfectly with our ambition to consistently surprise players with groundbreaking games. This partnership once again reinforces our position as the go-to destination for online casino players in the Netherlands.”