partnerships
New support for NHS to treat gambling addiction
The NHS is set to benefit as new levy will raise an estimated £100 million of new funding for research, prevention and treatment of gambling addiction.
Following publication of the gambling white paper in April, the Government is now taking the next step in mandating payments from the sector by launching a consultation on the design of the proposed gambling operator levy.
Currently, not all gambling companies contribute equally towards the existing voluntary levy, with some operators paying as little as £1 towards research, prevention and treatment. The Government is therefore acting to ensure all operators contribute their fair share.
In order to improve research, prevention and treatment of gambling harm, the Government is minded to set the levy as a new 1% fee on gross gambling yield for online gambling operators, while traditional betting shops and casinos will pay a proposed fee of around 0.4%.
The white paper has proposed a fair and proportionate approach to levy rates between various operators, taking into account the difference, for example, in operating costs and the levels of harmful gambling associated with different gambling activities.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:
We are taking the next step in our plan to protect those most at risk of gambling harm with a new levy on gambling operators to pay for treatment and research.
All gambling operators will be required to pay their fair share and this consultation is an opportunity for the industry, clinicians, those who have experienced gambling harm and the wider public to have their say on how the proposed gambling operator levy should work.
The introduction of this levy will strengthen the safety net and help deliver our long-term plan to help build stronger communities while allowing millions of people to continue to gamble safely.
Technology has reshaped where, when and how people gamble and there has been a significant rise in online gambling behaviour due to the ease of access on smartphones, with people able to gamble anytime and anywhere.
Figures from the NHS Digital Health Survey also indicate that some of these online products are associated with elevated levels of gambling-related addiction and harm with ‘problem gambling’ rates eight times higher for online slots and casino game players than in the population as a whole.
Under the proposed levy, the gambling industry will no longer have a say over how money for research, prevention and treatment is spent. Instead, the Gambling Commission will distribute funding directly to the NHS and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which coordinates research and innovation funding, under the strategic direction of government. The levy will be underpinned by legislation meaning firms will be required to pay.
The funding delivered through the levy, which will deliver substantial new investment for the NHS in England, Scotland and Wales, will increase access to treatment and support for those experiencing gambling-related harm. It will also help to develop a truly national approach to prevention and fund independent, high-quality research to inform policy and practice.
In July this year, the NHS announced that seven new specialist gambling addiction clinics will open in Milton Keynes, Thurrock, Derby, Bristol, Liverpool, Blackpool and Sheffield this year. This is in addition to the seven clinics already in operation in London, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, and Telford, as well as an additional national clinic, which treats both gambling and gaming addiction in children and young people, in London.
Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said:
We know that gambling addiction can devastate lives, which is why we are working quickly to implement our bold plans for reform.
This consultation brings us a step closer to being able to provide £100 million of new funding for research, prevention and treatment, including ring fenced investment for the NHS to help gambling addicts.
Gambling firms should always pay their fair share and this new statutory levy will ensure that they are legally required to do just that.
Health Minister Neil O’Brien said:
Harmful gambling can affect people’s savings, ruin relationships, and devastate people’s lives and health.
Gambling companies should pay their fair share towards the costs of treatment services, but we want to hear from as many people as possible about how the new statutory levy should work.
We continue working to support those affected by gambling harms. Twelve of the planned fifteen NHS gambling addictions clinics have now opened across the country providing vital support services for thousands of people experiencing gambling-related harms as well as their loved ones. The remaining three are expected to open by the end of the year.”
Henrietta Bowden-Jones, National Clinical Advisor for Gambling Harms, said:
I welcome this Levy which reflects the government’s decision to fund gambling treatment, prevention, research and education in an independent and evidence- based way allowing us to continue our work of eradicating all gambling harms from society.”
NHS mental health director Claire Murdoch said:
Gambling addiction destroys people’s lives and with record numbers turning to the NHS for support, the health service has met this demand head on by opening four new specialist clinics in recent months, with a further three opening later this year.
The NHS has long called for a statutory levy because it is only right that this billion-pound industry steps up to support people suffering from gambling addiction and I am pleased that action is being taken to prevent people from coming to harm in the first place. It is now vital we continue working in partnership to ensure we provide effective prevention, education and treatment for this condition.
The Government’s gambling white paper, published in April 2023, set out a range of measures to improve player protections and reduce the risk of gambling addiction and harm in the smartphone era. Measures such as financial risk checks to better alert operators to risky behaviours, stake limits for online slots, tighter controls on marketing of bonuses and a new mandatory gambling operator levy are designed to reduce risk and improve player protections.
The Government and Gambling Commission continue to implement the measures set out in the white paper with a view to having key elements in place in summer 2024.
Asia
Xailient and Konami to Debut Privacy-Safe Biometric Innovation for Table Games at G2E Asia 2025
Xailient Inc., the world leader in privacy-safe computer vision AI, announced the debut of a groundbreaking biometric innovation in partnership with global gaming leader Konami Gaming Inc. At G2E Asia 2025, Konami will unveil SYNK Vision Tables, a new addition to its award-winning SYNKROS casino management system, powered by Xailient’s privacy-preserving facial recognition AI technology.
Attendees of G2E Asia 2025 will be among the first to experience SYNK Vision Tables in action, as Konami showcases the new technology at Booth #B1303 at The Venetian Expo in Macau. The solution delivers seamless player recognition, real-time rating and instant rewards—marking a transformational step in the convergence of biometric technology and gaming operations.
This latest innovation extends the success of SYNK Vision Slots to the live table games environment, providing casinos with a unified biometric ecosystem that automatically recognizes players as they sit down—without the need for loyalty cards. For players, the experience is frictionless, secure, and personalized. For operators, it offers powerful real-time insights, reduced fraud risk, and improved player engagement.
“SYNK Vision Tables represents a major leap forward in biometric player tracking. By combining Xailient’s real-time, privacy-safe AI face recognition with Konami’s SYNKROS system, we’re delivering next-generation capabilities that enhance the player experience while upholding the highest standards of privacy and data protection,”said Lars Oleson, CEO of Xailient.
Mallika Patel, VP of Product at Xailient, said: “Face Recognition AI provides triple benefit from a single technology. Responsible gaming, anti-money laundering, and patron loyalty programs all benefit from robust and reliable replacement to carded play.”
“Together with Xailient, we’re enabling operators to unify their slots and tables under a single intelligent ecosystem. With SYNK Vision Tables, operators can improve the accuracy and efficiency of their loyalty programs while providing players with a streamlined, personalized, and cardless experience,” said Joe Mayer, Systems Sales & Operations Manager at Konami Australia Pty Ltd.
The post Xailient and Konami to Debut Privacy-Safe Biometric Innovation for Table Games at G2E Asia 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Playzia, a rapidly growing force in the iGaming industry, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Novibet, a leading international operator. This collaboration significantly extends Playzia’s footprint in the regulated Greek market and other key regions where Novibet operates.
The expansion marks another milestone in Playzia’s commitment to regulated markets, as it continues to broaden its reach while reinforcing its position as an innovator in the iGaming sector.
As part of this agreement, Novibet players will now have access to Playzia’s extensive and engaging catalog of in-house developed games. The lineup includes fan-favorites such as Billionaire Rhino and Cosmos Cash, as well as recent top-performing releases Medusa Mystic Reels Megaways™, Zeus’s Thunderstrike, and T-Rex Treasure Hunt Megaways™. With focus on innovation, Playzia continues to introduce groundbreaking game mechanics such as Hold and Win & Hold and Win Jackpot, Retrigger & Stacked Wilds in Free Spins, Bonus Hold and Win, Persistent Collection & 50 Symbols, and its highly anticipated Love Island content.
Vlad Modorcea, CPO at Playzia, shared his thoughts on the partnership: “Teaming up with Novibet is a significant milestone for Playzia as we continue to grow our presence in regulated markets. Novibet has a stellar reputation for delivering top-tier gaming experiences, making them an ideal partner for us. We are eager to see players engaging with our games and experiencing the unique entertainment Playzia brings to the table.”
Foteini Matthaiou, Casino Product & CRM Director at Novibet commented: “At Novibet, we are committed to elevating the player experience through strategic alliances. Welcoming Playzia’s dynamic game portfolio is a natural next step in delivering innovative, high-quality content that resonates with our players in Greece and beyond.”
This latest agreement further strengthens Playzia’s standing as a premier game supplier, offering a diverse mix of game formats, including crash, table, instant, and probability-based games. With an exciting roadmap ahead, players can look forward to innovative features, engaging gameplay, and thrilling jackpot opportunities.
The announcement follows Playzia’s recent nomination in two key categories at the prestigious EGR B2B Awards 2025: Slot Supplier (Under 5 Years) and Software Rising Star, further underscoring the company’s momentum and industry recognition.
Playzia is also making waves in the branded content space. The company has secured an exclusive content partnership with ITV, the UK’s leading commercial broadcaster, to develop online games inspired by the global phenomenon Love Island. This upcoming series will blend the excitement of reality TV with Playzia’s signature gaming innovations.
The post Playzia Strengthens Presence in Regulated Markets Through Strategic Partnership with Novibet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Amusnet is proud to announce a strategic partnership between Amusnet Italy and Betway, a leading global online gaming brand with a strong presence in the Italian market. Known for its reputation across multiple markets, Betway is an important name on the multinational gaming scene. This new collaboration reinforces Amusnet’s commitment to delivering top-quality gaming experiences to players and further solidifies its footprint in one of Europe’s most dynamic regulated markets.
As part of the initial rollout, Betway will launch 20 of Amusnet’s top-performing games, with additional titles to follow in the next phase. The selection features several player-favorite releases, including Extra Crown, Shining Crown, 20 Golden Coins, and 20 Super Hot.
Extra Crown is a regal-themed video slot that enhances the classic gameplay format with a royal twist and thrilling bonus features. Shining Crown is a traditional-looking video slot game with a modern twist. 20 Golden Coins stands out with its unique combination of classic slot elements and modern features. 20 Super Hot delivers a timeless fruit slot experience, blending lucky symbols with classic fruity favorites.
“Our partnership with Betway represents another important milestone for Amusnet Italy. Betway’s strong brand recognition and extensive reach make them an ideal partner to showcase some of our leading titles. We are confident that this collaboration will elevate the gaming experience for Betway’s Italian customers and mark the beginning of a successful long-term relationship,” shared Polina Nedyalkova, Director Amusnet Italy.
This partnership reflects Amusnet’s strategic approach to market growth through strong local collaborations, focused on delivering engaging and compliant gaming content that resonates with regional audiences.
The post Amusnet Expands Italian Presence Through Strategic Partnership with Betway appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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