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New GambleAware-commissioned Research Warns of High Risks from Gaming Machines, Online Casino Games and Loot Boxes
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.”
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International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) Announces 2025 International Gaming Summit in Berlin, Germany
The International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) will hold its 42nd International Gaming Summit Monday, June 9 through Thursday, June 12, 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton Berlin. As a premier event that brings together leaders from all global gaming sectors, the Summit will provide operators, suppliers, attorneys, investors, bankers, regulators and other advisor delegates with an unparalleled opportunity to meet and discuss the most important issues facing gaming.
“We are looking forward to holding our 2025 Annual International Gaming Summit in Berlin, a historic city with a vibrant art and culinary scene. Our 2025 agenda addresses numerous issues of critical importance including the growing illegal market, the potential impact of AI across gaming operations, the progression of online casinos and navigating due diligence challenges in M&A transactions. Additionally, our agenda again includes a full-day focused on issues unique to sports betting operations, including a current look at the state of advertising restrictions, growing conflicts of interest, and a session focused on lessons learned from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the Euro Cup in Germany,” Jeff Barbin, IAGA President and a Partner with Phelps.
Barbin continued: “We are also pleased to announce that as part of the Summit, we will be launching a new initiative focused on building relationships between global gambling and betting regulators and major sports governing bodies. Our Sports and Wagering Integrity Coalition working group will focus on identifying collaborative ways that regulators and sport governing authorities can address growing threats to sports integrity and sports wagering and collaboratively identify ways to build stronger relationships to confront these threats. During the Coalition’s first closed-door workshop, experts from each stakeholder group will share unique challenges they face, highlighting ways that each side can better collaborate to protect game integrity and sport wagering and address the growing threats posed by the illegal gambling market. With major global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Olympics and the 2031 Rugby World Cup coming to the United States, we believe it’s critical that both industries deepen their collaboration to address the growing challenges each side faces.”
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Playzia Signs Major Deal with SOFTSWISS, Expanding Reach with Top Aggregator Platform

Playzia’s thrilling portfolio of games, including Billionaire Wolf and Billionaire Rhino, as well as upcoming highly anticipated Love Island series, set to go live on SOFTSWISS award-winning platform
Playzia, one of the fastest-growing game providers to the iGaming industry, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with SOFTSWISS, a recognised industry leader in iGaming software solutions development. This collaboration will see Playzia’s portfolio of innovative and thrilling games go live on SOFTSWISS award-winning aggregation platform, offering operators worldwide access to Playzia’s exciting content.
The partnership marks a significant milestone in Playzia’s continued expansion into global markets. Exciting titles from the dynamic studio developer, including Billionaire Wolf, Cosmos Cash, Sweet Candy Fortune, The Great Fishing Adventure, along with the newly released Volcanic Coins and Billionaire Rhino, are now available on the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator. In addition to the steady rollout of 3 exciting titles per month, Playzia is committed to delivering unique branded content, including a recently announced series with ITV, inspired by the global phenomenon Love Island. This marks just the beginning of the Playzia’s ongoing growth and development in the iGaming industry.
Penning the agreement with SOFTSWISS and expanding its network of partners allows the fast-paced studio to further its mission of bringing its thrilling and innovative games to an even broader audience, ensuring players around the world who Love to Play can enjoy top-tier, one-of-a-kind gaming experiences.
“We are delighted to partner with SOFTSWISS and make our games accessible to operators through their renowned aggregation platform,” said Vlad Modorcea, CPO at Playzia. “This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to reach new markets, and we’re confident that players will enjoy the high-quality content we bring to the table. Our games are designed to captivate, and we can’t wait to share them with SOFTSWISS global network.”
Nikita Keino, Head of Partnerships at SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator added: ‘We welcome Playzia as our new partner, and we are proud to expand our portfolio with new games. We have already surpassed the 27,000 games mark and are excited to offer the market the best and most diverse games from the wide range available.’
Beginning this year, Playzia is gearing up to unveil an exciting roadmap, with three new games launching each month. Looking ahead, partners and players can anticipate the introduction of trademarked mechanics, innovative new game types including crash, table, instant, and probability games, along with exciting jackpots and tournaments, all designed to elevate the gaming experience to new heights.
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Golden Boomerang Awards 2025: Affiliate Traffic Tournament With Prizes and Trip to San Siro

The top-30 teams from tournament leaderboard will be invited to the San Siro Stadium in Milan for unforgettable experience at final event with Awards Ceremony
Boomerang Partners has launched the second annual traffic tournament Golden Boomerang Awards 2025. This competition for affiliate teams from all over the world will run from February 3 to May 11. The conditions are simple:
- register, by coming up with a name for the team and adding data to the profile;
- generate quality traffic;
- perform additional tasks;
- get cool prizes for your results;
- take home the Grand Prix’s top prize!
All interested affiliate teams can register on the official Golden Boomerang Awards website, on the Telegram Bot, or through their manager.
After successful registration, participants must drive high-quality traffic to Boomerang brands – betting and casinos. Only FTDs (first deposits) will count towards scoring and monthly prizes. This year, teams will compete on two leaderboards: sports and casino traffic. The organizers also prepared nine additional nominations, giving even more chances to score big!
By participating in Golden Boomerang Awards 2025, teams can have an unparalleled experience. The tournament is divided into three monthly stages. The winners and participants who complete the monthly tasks will receive prizes ranging from the fulfillment of your dream to cash prizes. It will also be possible to get additional points and increase leaderboard positions by leaving reviews, following on social networks, etc. And, of course, special prizes are awarded for winning nominations. The top 30 teams will have an unforgettable time and a special program in Milan. The final will be held at one of the best stadiums in the world, the San Siro. This is possible because Boomerang is the Official Regional Betting Partner of AC Milan in Europe. The team has more than 500 million fans worldwide!
Julia Makarova, Head of Affiliates of Boomerang Partners, said, “The Golden Boomerang Awards is a unique project in our industry. It allows us to motivate our partners and improve communication with them. The tournament brings us closer to affiliates, adding value to our cooperation. This project combines a tournament with motivation in the form of cool prizes and the creation of a unique unmatched community – that’s what makes it special. The Golden Boomerang Awards confirms trust and long-term collaboration between Boomerang and our partners.”
Detailed Golden Boomerang Awards terms and conditions and registration are available on the tournament website: https://goldenboomerangawards.com
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