Latest News
Charity Calls for Education as Research Reveals LGBTQ+ Gambling Concerns

Ygam, an award-winning education charity, has integrated new content into its evidence-based harm prevention workshops which specifically focus on the relationship between gambling harms and the LGBTQ+ community. The first session was successfully delivered during Pride Month.
The initiative is in response to new research by academics at Bournemouth University. It found that 53% of LGBTQ+ individuals reported to having three or more gambling accounts that they use regularly, and nearly half (49%) stated that they felt regret after gambling.
The study also revealed that 77% of LGBTQ+ individuals would seek help if they felt they had a problem. Many of the mental health problems associated with gambling harms are also more prevalent among LGBTQ+ populations.
Discrimination and harassment based on gender identity and non-conformity are experienced by 71% of LGBTQ+ people in the research, and the reports suggests that gambling might provide a coping strategy for some. However, many LGBTQ+ people say that they do not feel safe or welcome in land-based gambling venues, with online gambling viewed as more accessible and inclusive for them.
The report also identifies a need for more tailored support for vulnerable groups. There is a perception amongst the participants that current support service providers do not cater for the unique needs of LGBTQ+ community.
Ygam will now be working with Dr Reece Bush-Evans from the Gambling Research Group at Bournemouth University to further develop our portfolio of educational programmes to ensure they are informed by the latest insights published in this new research.
Kyle Riding, Head of Programmes at Ygam, said: “The findings of this new research are concerning, and we hope our resources will help safeguard young people within the LGBTQ+ community. Anyone can experience gambling harms, but stressors unique to the LGBTQ+ community are not experienced by everyone. Our training equips delegates with the knowledge, understanding and confidence to lead safeguarding conversations, identify signs of harms and signpost to the support available. We believe that all young people should be protected against gambling harms, and we should take action when we identify specifically vulnerable groups.”
Dr Reece Bush-Evans from the Gambling Research Group at Bournemouth University said: “Fundamental to this work has been the engagement with LGBTQ+ people with lived experience of gambling harms. Many LGBTQ+ people we have interviewed say that they have experienced losing control over their gambling at some point in their life. Prevention is important, which is why it is crucial to raise awareness and deliver education to our younger generations. I’m looking forward to working with Ygam and using this new research to further inform their work. More needs to be done to protect the wellbeing of marginalised groups such as the LGBTQ+ community and education is paramount to this.”
The workshops delivered by Ygam are free to delegates who have safeguarding or caring responsibilities over young people including teachers, youth workers, parents and health professionals. Ygam will also be adding training sessions related to the LGBTQ+ community into their Alumni programme which was launched earlier this year. This training equips delegates with the knowledge, understanding, confidence and skills to lead safeguarding conversations, identify signs of harms and signpost to the support available.
Compliance Updates
ClearStake awarded ISO 27001 certification cementing its position as a trusted financial risk check provider

Real-time risk profiling tool provider ClearStake has been awarded ISO 27001 certification, the globally recognised standard for data protection and system security, cementing its position as a trusted provider to the gambling industry.
To qualify for the ISO 27001, ClearStake was required to actively demonstrate the successful deployment and adherence to a robust Information Security Management System (ISMS), as part of a rigorous two-stage accreditation process with an independent auditor.
A key endorsement when expanding across global markets, the certification proves ClearStake’s team is fully compliant with international data protection and security standards, which were most recently updated by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission in 2022.
Martin Burt, CEO at ClearStake, said: “At the heart of what we do at ClearStake is building a secure environment for operators to handle and process data. As such, we are delighted to receive the ISO 27001 certification, which reaffirms our position as a reliable and compliant technology provider.
“This is a vital step in our growth as a company and will give clients further assurance that we operate to the highest standards.”
Latest News
ProgressPlay brings forward the future of casino management with revolutionary AI

Once again, casino and sports platform provider ProgressPlay are ahead of their time with a new wave of technology innovation that has helped the company to attend major shows during 2023 with soaring confidence based on pioneering proprietary technological advances that have featured strongly in annual awards shows.
The company’s future-centred thinking and ambitious AI product development attracted a raft of operators and partners attending last week’s SiGMA Europe in Malta. A raft of casino operators during the show had the opportunity to see firsthand ProgressPlay’s new tech which offers a comprehensive gaming management solution across multiple channels and products.
ProgressPlay’s enhanced iGaming platform provides operators with a powerful real-time AI-driven proprietary flow tool for optimising the performance of an online casino in a dynamic data ecosystem. Real-time player interaction provides compliance teams with the information to manage and interact with players.
Last year, ProgressPlay undertook an ambitious reframe of their technology with new proprietary Responsible Gambling automation and tools at its heart. ProgressPlay’s new platform manages player accounts, payments, bonuses, loyalty programs, fraud prevention and games, using robust tools and analytics.
ProgressPlay Sales Manager Marina Nahhas said: “ProgressPlay’s innovative Responsible Gambling software covers topics like KYC, player activity, affordability levels, and a transparent audit trail. These topics resonate heavily with operators and we were delighted with the level of engagement around this revenue-critical activity during the week we spent in Malta.”
ProgressPlay’s combo sportsbook and comprehensive turnkey solution, including casino platform, player management, payments module, and affiliate software are designed to boost operators seeking to effectively drive both revenue and efficiency with the latest cutting-edge technology.
Over 150 online casino brands have partnered with ProgressPlay covering a unique combination of casino games and sports-betting. ProgressPlay’s sportsbook offers up to 40,000 live betting markets and services across 20 languages while the latest platform offers a slick AI-driven UI/UX, and extensive value-added services alongside thousands of casino games, including slots, online casino, live casino, poker, table games, and sportsbook, across all devices and currencies.
ProgressPlay CEO Itai Loewenstein said: “Commercial agreements are being driven by our breakthrough technology that enables deployment of our AI tools for greater efficiency and revenue-generation. SiGMA Europe has been the last stop in a busy year and we believe that since we first launched our new technology in London at the beginning of the year our sophisticated Responsible Gambling tool has quickly moved beyond the early-adopter stage.”
Latest News
Yggdrasil fires up festive fun with Rock Star Santa MultiMax™

Leading iGaming publisher Yggdrasil has dialled up the Christmas cheer with a hellraising new hit, Rock Star Santa MultiMax™.
A 6×6 grid awaits players, with the cluster pays mechanic requiring five or more matching symbols to be conjoined for a winning spin. Every wining cluster is then removed from the reels, with more icons cascading down from above, and a wild also joins the party.
The multiplier at the top of the reelset will then increase, with the popular MultiMax Game Engagement Mechanic (GEM) swiftly seeing cascades cranked up in volume into massive wins. These can also combine if the cluster straddles reels, for supersonic rewards.
In addition, the Present symbol can land on any spin, awarding up to 100x, 11 free spins, or four extra wilds. This can also include an extra spin or an increased multiplier if it falls during the free spins.
Three or more Golden Ticket Free Spins icons will trigger the bonus round, giving players at least seven spins. During this, the multiplier at the top of each reel does not reset, allowing it to quickly pile up with every winning combination. Free Spins may also be gambled for the chance to win more.
The game also features two separate Buy Bonus options, depending on the jurisdiction, and a Golden Bet option, which increases the chances of a player hitting the bonus for an increased stake.
Rock Star Santa MultiMax is the latest core game developed by Yggdrasil, following recent vibrant releases Defenders of Mystica and Wild Stack Frenzy.
Mark McGinley, Chief Gaming Officer at Yggdrasil, said: “We’ve taken a different approach when it comes to festive hits and introduced the world to our showstopping Santa in our rocking new release, Rock Star Santa MultiMax.
“Incorporating a cluster-pays mechanic is an exciting addition to our portfolio, where we strive to deliver incredible experiences for our players.”
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