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A nasal spray to curb gambling? Finnish health experts want to give it a try

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A nasal spray to curb gambling? Finnish health experts want to give it a try
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A group of Finnish health experts plan to see if a nasal spray developed to treat opiate overdoses can be of use in treating people with obsessive gambling problems. Thirty participants have already signed up to take part in the study.

 

Finland’s National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is planning to carry out an unusual experiment. Once enough participants can be found, it will conduct testing on the efficacy of a naloxone nasal spray in deterring people from gambling. If the experiment is successful, use of the spray could be extended to the treatment of other addictions as well.

A report from a few years ago found that 1.5 percent of Finns have a serious gambling problem and up to 18 percent more are at risk of developing a gambling dependency. While most Finns find it easy to walk by supermarket slot machines or ignore gambling websites, there are many people who feel they cannot resist the temptation.

A nasal spray containing naloxone is a prescription medicine that has been used successfully for emergency treatment of overdoses of heroine and other opiates. Naloxone was patented back in 1961 and in April 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a hand-held pocket-sized automatic injector naloxone product for use in non-medical settings. Development of a nasal spray containing the medicine instead of an injection was then fast-tracked in the US to reduce rising death tolls from opiate overdoses.

Tried and true in the treatment of addictions

The nasal spray has been widely used to treat various addictions, but the idea to use it as a quick solution to deter people from gambling has not been studied previously.

THL’s research professor Hannu Alho is quite optimistic about the Finnish study’s potential. A similar study was carried out at THL five years ago that used a naloxone pill, and it seemed to be of benefit.

“The urge to gamble is a very impulsive one. The need comes on very quickly. It could take up to an hour for a pill to work… But then we got this idea to dilute the medicine in water and develop a nasal spray. We assume it will work quickly. We studied the response rate at the University of Turku, and yes, it did seem to work in the space of just a few minutes,” he explains.

In practice, this could mean that someone who feels compelled to gamble at a slot machine when they enter a shop can use the nasal spray and feel the urge to gamble start to dissipate before they reach the machines. 

“If you really want to play, you can use the spray and then the urge will go away. This is the hypothesis of our study,” Alho says. “Preventing the urge with medicine might help them not to play or play for just a bit and then stop.”

More volunteers needed

THL researchers hope to start the three-month experiment this month, after enough volunteers that meet the requirements of the study have signed up. Alho says they have enough room for 130 participants.

“They won’t be reimbursed with money for participating, but they will receive treatment in the form of the medicine, along with support and motivation. Everyone will surely benefit. We saw already in our study with the pills that it successfully reduced the urge to gamble,” Alho says.

The results of the study won’t be ready for at least a year and a half, but Alho says that if they are satisfactory, the team has discussed expanding the testing to people with alcohol dependencies.

Extensive research over the last three decades has shown that the naloxone nasal spray is safe to use.

“This is a medicinal product with no side effects and no addictive properties of its own. In principal it can be used to treat any manner of additions,” says Alho.

Source: Yle

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Huge Jackpot at King Billy Casino: C$3,658,306!

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This amazing six-digit number was the result of a player going on a safari in her (and millions of other players) beloved Mega Moolah progressive slot from Games Global
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King Billy Casino, launched in 2017, has had some impressive players wins during the “reign of King Billy”. A few of them include Live Game winnings of €135,223, daily winnings from 2 or more slots of $164,000, and €250,000 won on a single spin. However, the latest win by a King Billy Casino player dwarfs every big win that has come before this. Actually, it’s bigger than all previous big wins combined for the operator!

Because, we are talking about C$3,658,306.

This amazing six-digit number was the result of a player going on a safari in her (and millions of other players) beloved Mega Moolah progressive slot from Games Global. In an autumn, the player stepped into eternal summer by wagering a small C$6,25 bet and winning 562.816 times her bet! This is the power of Mega Moolah, as evidenced at King Billy.

King Billy people had only warm words for the occasion. A representative of the casino has stated: “We are elated, for this huge big win. We can never forget that our first big win, many years back, was more than 200,000 Canadian dollars, so we have special ties with the region. And it’s now amazing to see our VIP-player making such a cashback and echoing that big win! Congratulations to our player”.

A few words about Mega Moolah. It was an Internet sensation when it was launched with its beautiful graphics and sounds, and immersive gameplay and it is a sensation today, still going strong after almost 20 years. The slot, which has spawned more than 20 variations, and has given millions in cash to players all over the world (including 5 millionaires in 2024 alone) features 4 types of jackpots that make it stand out from the competition.

About Games Global

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About King Billy Casino

Established on St Patrick’s Day in 2017, King Billy is a renowned new generation casino with more than 26 awards and accolades. The casino is available in English, German, French and Finnish, and created a unique user experience, building on the theme of King Billy and his Kingdom. King Billy ensures that all its players, “Citizens” in the casino language, receive the care and attention they deserve.

 

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ZITRO INTRODUCES CASH TOTEMS: A MYTHICAL JOURNEY TO ANCIENT FORTUNES

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Awaken the power of ancient gods in Zitro’s new game release, Cash Totems. With two exciting themes—Tomahawk and Vikings—this slot title transports players to a mystical world where Ancient Gods hold the key to incredible fortunes.

Cash Totems offers a Free Games bonus with 10 initial free spins and introduces 3 combinable metamorphic features, each supported by its own scatter symbol. The left accumulator features Sticky Wilds, where players can earn credits with the corresponding scatter symbol. The right accumulator offers Rainy Multiplier Wilds, granting extra spins with each corresponding scatter symbol, enhancing winning opportunities.

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Unveil the hidden fortune within Cash Totems!

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Betway Customer Wins £53,000 from £1 eSoccer Bet

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Betway is thrilled to announce a new milestone in its eSoccer platform, as one lucky customer scored a huge eSoccer payout – walking away with an incredible £53,000 from just a £1 stake. The winning bet, a six-fold accumulator, has set a new record for eSoccer payouts at Betway, marking a historic moment for both the customer and the platform.

eSoccer, a fast-growing sector at Betway, blends the thrill of football with the high-energy world of esports. In these virtual matches, two players go head-to-head in EA Sports FC 25 (formerly known as FIFA), with games running in short, action-packed formats of 8, 10, or 12 minutes. Every game Betway offers has a stream on the inplay site with streams also available on YouTube and Twitch to the public.

Mike Reading, a spokesperson for Betway, commented, “Football is a passion we share with our customers, and eSoccer has become one of our fastest growing products.  We are delighted to see a lucky customer turn a £1 bet into an incredible £53,000! It’s moments like these that highlight the thrill of eSoccer for our players and we’re looking forward to celebrating more big winners in the future.”

This record-breaking win reflects Betway’s commitment to offering an exciting range of products and delivering unforgettable experiences for its customers.

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