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BetBlocker Welcomes RET Donation from Greentube

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Responsible Gambling charity BetBlocker is thrilled to announce a recent donation earlier this year from Greentube, a donation that will help fund improvements to the charity’s iOS mobile app. BetBlocker relies on charitable contributions from industry players, government and corporate interests, and individuals wishing to help them in the fight against problem gambling.

Greentube, a gambling content provider and subsidiary of Novomatic, made the donation as part of its annual research, education and treatment (RET) programme. In taking this step Greentube have taken the initiative and an industry leading position in helping BetBlocker to assist their users in engaging with gambling in a responsible manner.

The Problem of Problem Gambling

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The current lock down situation that is impacting large areas of the world and expected to continue for months to come seems likely to result in increased levels of problematic behaviour as large volumes of people are isolated within their homes, without their usual modes of entertainment. Excluding the sports betting markets – which have largely disappeared due to the cancellation of all major sports events – these factors are likely to result in increased uptake and engagement with online gambling. Marrying this with economic stress that a very large number of households will find themselves under and you sadly have very fertile ground for gambling addiction to grow and the potential damage it can cause during these challenging times could be significant.

Recent research (conducted before lock downs began) has shown a startling lack of knowledge about the tools available to help players engage with online gambling in an responsible fashion. Here are some compelling stats explaining why BetBlocker’s work is so important:

46% of people surveyed had gambled within the last 4 weeks
96% of all online gambling occurs in the home (due to lock downs a far large number of people are now spending far more time in their homes)
Only 6% of those surveyed had ever self-excluded from a gambling operator
53% of those surveyed did not know what a self-exclusion was/entailed.

With such a high proportion of those engaging with online gambling unfamiliar with the tools available to help them engage with gambling in a healthy manner alongside the likely increased engagement that will result from lock downs, it is more important than ever that the entire industry works together to promote responsible gambling and protect vulnerable players.

Further supporting the supposition that the lock downs could result in increased problematic gambling behaviour, since the beginning of March, BetBlocker has seen more than a 40% increase in traffic visiting our site. Alongside this we have seen at least a fivefold increase in user contacts looking for assistance to remove the app so they can return to gambling. This clearly indicates that there is increased interest in a tool to help restrict online gambling.

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Q&A – How the Greentube Donation Will Help

The best way to understand how the Greentube donation will help further BetBlocker’s mission is to let them explain the opportunities they see. To that end, BetBlocker officials participated in a brief Q&A session to help supporters better understand what they are doing:

Q: Will the entire donation amount go to improving your iOS app?

Every penny that is donated to BetBlocker is spent on improving or maintaining the app. The Greentube donation is being invested in making the iOS app more challenging to bypass.

Every operating system has its own policies for developers that create different challenges to producing an effective and robust restriction. The simple facts are no operating system wants to allow any developer the facility to lock their app in place on the user’s device. Malicious developers could exploit this functionality to develop virus or malware that once on a device could not be removed. But the very purpose of BetBlocker is to place a restriction between users and reengaging with gambling. One that cannot be removed when the user is vulnerable to relapsing. This makes our job in developing an effective service a challenging one.

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The iOS platform is particularly restrictive in the actions they allow their developers to take and we are constantly working to find new ways to work within the allowed policies while still providing an effective block to users. We’re far from perfect yet, but we are constantly working to improve the strength of the restriction.

We would love for the development teams at the various operating systems to step forward and work with us to ensure that BetBlocker provides the service that gambling addicts need – they could do a huge amount of good with very little effort – but to date while we have made efforts to talk to a number of platforms our enthusiasm has not been reciprocated.

Q: What kinds of improvements will be made to the app?

We cannot say too much on this front without educating our users as to potential weaknesses with the app. So let’s just say that the upgrades will make it more difficult to remove the restriction put in place by the iOS app before the chosen restriction period has ended.

Q: How will those improvements help problem gamblers?

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For any addict abstinence is a crucial part of recovery. Putting barriers between yourself and the activity that you are struggling to control can be a significant aid when working towards recovery. The harder we make BetBlocker to remove or bypass, the stronger the barrier between a gambling addict and re-accessing problematic behaviours.

Q: Are there any other improvements BetBlocker is looking at down the road?

We have a shopping list of improvements that we’d like to make to the app that are just waiting on funding coming in. These include:

– Putting together an alternative, stronger version of our desktop apps to allow users a choice between a more robust restriction and more flexible system use.

– Adding further profiles to allow for the functionality to restrict ‘freemium’ apps.

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– Improving the activation process to make sure the set-up process is more intuitive and that the user is given the best possible information on the potential consequences of each selection.

– Providing information live on site showing how many users are currently using the app. This would both demonstrate how many people are helped by any donation and ensure that potential new users feel less alone, providing understanding that there are thousands of other people with the same issues.

Q: How can problem gamblers avail themselves of BetBlocker services?

Simple – visit https://betblocker.org/ and from the homepage you can download our app for the Android, iOS, Windows, Apple, Linux or Fire OS.

Q: Is there a cost associated with the app?

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The app is entirely free to all users. It’s also free and without strings for all operators who would like to build it into their Responsible Gambling information/policies. Support via a donation would certainly be appreciated, but is not required to make use of the app by any means.

Q: How can gambling operators help BetBlocker fulfil its mission?

The most obvious way is via donations. BetBlocker is not a massively expensive project to run but it does require funding and we always welcome any donations sent our way. Donations also count towards the UKGC license RET contributions so also help operators meet their license requirements. This year we’ve already received donations from Greentube, L&L Europe, White Hat Gaming and even an affiliate marketer – CasinoGuide – and these have been put to great use improving the service.

Beyond this however, the simplest way that operators can support the BetBlocker project is by including information about the service in their Responsible Gambling literature. This costs the operator nothing but ensures that vulnerable players can find a service that is free to help them take control of their gambling.

About BetBlocker.org
BetBlocker.org is a charitable organisation established to help relieve the burdens caused by gambling through the prevention of problem gambling. The organisation’s main tool is software that can be downloaded and installed to prevent online devices from gaining access to gambling sites. The software is offered free of charge to both consumers and gambling operators. It is funded through charitable contributions.

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Kindred Reports Decline in Revenue from High-risk Players for Q4 2024

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Kindred Group has reported decline in its share of revenue from high-risk players for the fourth quarter 2024 at 2.7% (Q3 2024 3.2%). The percentage of detected customers who exhibited improved behaviour after interventions showed an improvement at 92.2% (compared to 87.3% in Q3 2024). This positive trend is mainly the result of stricter measures across key markets, improved internal processes, as well as the exit from non-locally licensed markets as part of to the acquisition by La Française des Jeux (FDJ) in October 2024. This shift reflects Kindred’s broader commitment to maintaining high regulatory standards and fostering safer gambling practices.

“It is pleasing to see the decline in high-risk revenue during the fourth quarter of last year. We know that the share fluctuates between quarters, but the long-term trend is showing a steady decline. We remain dedicated and focused on improving our systems and processes to ensure we offer our customers a safe and fun experience,” Esther Scheepers, Head of Responsible Gambling at Kindred Group, said.

“The increased focus on responsible gambling by regulators and the industry is welcomed. From our end, we see that by combining our expertise with emerging technologies, we can further enhance detection capabilities. We are currently working on our existing detection system in combination with an additional system that will enable us to integrate more robust compliance features and optimize our overall approach to safer gambling. Furthermore, we are exploring opportunities to expand our research efforts, aiming to support data-driven discussions and looking at emerging trends in consumer protection. All these aspects are important to protect the integrity of the licence model and maintain a level playing field,” Esther Scheepers added.

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Presence of Hristo Stoichkov was a Main Attraction of Amusnet’s Stand at ICE Barcelona 2025

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In 2025, ICE was held in Barcelona for the first time, attracting more than 55,000 visitors. A key moment at Amusnet’s stand was the exclusive participation of football legend, Barcelona icon and official company partner Hristo Stoichkov.

The collaboration with the leading all-casino solutions provider was officially announced in July 2024. It brings the excitement of football – one of the world’s most beloved sports, to a global audience while reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences. The partnership with Stoichkov, a football legend ranked among the 100 greatest players of all time, strengthens Amusnet’s leadership in the gaming industry. It embodies core values like teamwork and determination, driving the company’s success and innovation.

The exclusive appearance of FC Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov at ICE drew thousands of visitors who seized the unique opportunity to meet him. In the city that played a pivotal role in his career, Stoichkov brought value to the global gaming community, further strengthening Amusnet’s dedication to world-class entertainment. Hundreds of attendees showcased their competitive spirit in a thrilling football championship, competing for exclusive prizes, including autographed footballs signed by Stoichkov and 2025 Champions League tickets. Adding to the anticipation, the iconic player personally drew the winners, making the moment even more unforgettable. The Amusnet team was also honoured to welcome Digitain’s founder, Vardges Vardanyan, alongside Real Madrid Legends: Michel Salgado, Michael Owen, Iker Casillas, and Luis Figo, to its stand. The presence of these iconic football stars, alongside Hristo Stoichkov, embodied the spirit of collaboration and innovation, reinforcing the concept of industry pioneers uniting to shape the future of gaming.

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Visitors at the Amusnet stand had the chance to experience the celebrity slot game Stoichkov #8, launched ahead of UEFA EURO 2024 to heighten the tournament’s excitement. Inspired by Stoichkov’s legendary career, the game captures the essence of football with immersive graphics and dynamic features, bringing the thrill of real matches to the reels through Free Spins, Buy Bonus and Expanding Wilds for continuous action. Recognized for its excellence, Stoichkov #8 received the Online Game of the Year award at the BEGE Awards 2024. Since its debut, it has become a player-favourite across multiple markets in Europe and LATAM.

The post Presence of Hristo Stoichkov was a Main Attraction of Amusnet’s Stand at ICE Barcelona 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Amusnet to Participate in Enada Primavera 2025

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Amusnet, an international all-one casino solutions provider, is going to showcase its latest products at the 37th edition of Enada Primavera, taking place on February 17–19 in Rimini, Italy. Organised by the IEG Italian Exhibition Group and promoted by SAPAR, this premier gaming event draws industry professionals across Southern Europe.

“Enada Primavera is a key event for connecting with partners and presenting our newest gaming solutions. Our ongoing participation reflects our commitment to further expanding our presence in the Italian market and shaping the future of gaming in Italy and beyond,” Polina Nedyalkova, Director at Amusnet Italy, said.

At booth 086, visitors will have the opportunity to explore some of the recent slot releases in Italy, including Vampire Bites and Dancing Dead, along with the festive Diamond Plus – Valentine’s Edition.

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Amusnet will showcase top-performing titles from its Live Casino vertical, including the three next-generation Virtual Roulette games: Virtual Monaco Roulette 72x, Virtual Space Roulette 120x, and Virtual Vegas Roulette 500x. They offer thrilling gameplay, excellent-quality graphics, captivating themes and soundtracks.

Visitors can also explore Showtime Roulette 500x, a highly customisable live roulette game that enables operators to personalise branding and themes for a unique gaming experience. As the newest addition to the Live Casino portfolio, this game is planned to be available to Italian players in 2025.

The post Amusnet to Participate in Enada Primavera 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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