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New Study Finds that Socially Excluded Communities Use Gambling to Cope with Discrimination, Loneliness and Other Problems

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A new study from GambleAware has shown how people from communities that experience discrimination due to being marginalised and socially excluded use gambling to deal with their situations and loneliness.

GambleAware, the leading charity and strategic commissioner of gambling harms prevention and treatment services, funded an analysis by The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) of 138 previous studies to explore how socially excluded groups are affected by gambling. The groups in the studies included people who experience or are at risk of homelessness, older people, people living with disabilities, neurodiversity or mental health challenges, criminalised communities and migrants in vulnerable circumstances such as asylum seekers.

Despite the diversity of these groups, the research identified a common thread across all of the groups that they often use gambling to cope with other difficulties in life, which are driven by social exclusion or discrimination. These issues include loneliness, mental health challenges, stress related to the process of migration and assimilating into a new culture, unemployment, challenges relating to job security and conditions, or poverty. Gambling was seen by people from the communities as a way to take their mind off these issues, or as a way to make money to try and get out of poverty.

The research also highlighted the disproportionate concentration of gambling venues in more deprived areas in Great Britain. People from marginalised, isolated or criminalised communities are more likely to live in these areas due to socioeconomic disenfranchisement, and so are more likely to see gambling venues around them.

Stigma was also identified as contributing to people’s experiences of gambling and gambling harm, and influenced whether they reached out for support and treatment. Marginalised communities in the study already experience stigma related to drug use, homelessness or mental health challenges, which not only intersect with one another, but also with stigma from gambling harms. This underscores the importance of GambleAware’s campaigns to reduce the stigma around gambling harm, to make people more willing to open up and come forward for help.

The report recommends that gambling treatment services need to be accessible, inclusive and adaptive to people with different needs to meet the realities of marginalised communities and break down barriers for them to access support. The report also recommends there should be further research to explore gambling harms among discriminated-against communities due to a lack of current evidence and understanding of their needs and the harm they experience.

GambleAware has already been working to improve access to services for people from some of these communities. The charity launched a large-scale funding programme, “Improving Outcomes for women and minority communities affected by gambling harm”, investing over £4 million in 25 organisations across Great Britain that support women or minority communities. Organisations receiving funding include Investing in People and Culture, which will use the funding to address gambling harms among ethnically diverse refugee and new migrant communities in Tyne and Wear; and the Flowhesion Foundation, which will support Pashtoon speaking women in the North West of England who are experiencing gambling harms.

Zoë Osmond, Chief Executive of GambleAware, said: “Our new report shows how people from marginalised communities, who are already dealing with many different issues in their lives, struggle with gambling harms.

“There needs to be more engagement with these communities to build awareness around the risks of gambling harm, and service providers need to ensure they can appropriately meet the needs of people in different circumstances. This is why we launched our Improving Outcomes Fund, to support organisations which are running programmes to help people from different communities.”

Dr Sokratis Dinos from NatCen’s Centre for Gambling Research said: “We were pleased to carry out this study for GambleAware. The report is a collection of findings and analysis of six scoping reviews, which were conducted to critically appraise existing evidence on gambling harms among communities in Great Britain who are subject to disproportionate marginalisation, social exclusion, or subject to criminalisation. The results show how vulnerability to gambling harms for some people in these communities will be driven by compounding inequalities, stigma, exclusion, and discrimination.”

Gaming

ZITRO LAUNCHES MERGING FU POTS

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Discover the world of Merging Fu Pots and unveil the hidden fortunes within each pot! At 75 credits, players can access 3 combinable features: the Green Pot (Multiplier), the Orange Pot (Double), and the Blue Pot (Extra Spin) to unlock up to 7 different Bonus Links!

But at the boost level bet of 100 credits, players will unlock 1 Merged Pot, which combines the Double, Multiplier, and Extra Spin features for a new gameplay experience! Land 15 link symbols and claim the GRAND MEGA or MEGA jackpot with a spin of a wheel.

The thrill of Fu Pots, now with an extra boost!

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Latest News

QTech Games goes Rogue for more creative content

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QTech Games, the leading game distributor across all emerging markets, has continued to build the strong momentum in its premium pipeline with the addition of dynamic slots provider, Rogue.

Integrating content from one of the industry’s most exciting casino game developers, which dares its partners and their players to “deviate from the standard” in an increasingly homogenised slots space, bolsters QTech Games’ burgeoning platform with yet more creative muscle. In short, QTech Games is now taking the broadest range of online games to market across emerging territories, with established names sitting alongside the industry’s most exciting up-and-coming providers.

Rogue adds its head-turning style of disruptive slots to one of the planet’s most comprehensive vertical igaming spreads, with titles that include OverDrive, Happily Ever After and breakout slot variant stacKing Kong, alongside the recently released Rainbow Falls and Fever Las Vegas. Every game employs unique mechanics such as Turbo Reels™Happy Returns™ and Blockchain™ to go through the gears of varied volatility appetites.

Rogue’s gaming suite has also been optimised for mobile, a cornerstone of QTech’s RNG model, which is founded on its fully-owned and customised technical platform, affording games providers and operators the fastest integration available. Through this leading platform, which has sealed its definitive status as a global gaming one-stop shop, clients enjoy the best performance and customer support available, localised to every region across both developing and more mature markets.

The agreement naturally extends Rogue’s international footprint, unlocking untapped jurisdictions from Asia, through Africa and Eastern Europe, and on to Latin America for diversified growth.

Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “In recent history, Rogue has been rolling out some of the sector’s most captivating content, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer new players access to their game-changing slots.

“They have created game mechanics which afford players a novel user experience which they don’t get elsewhere, so it’s no surprise these innovative games are standing out in a sea of routine re-skins and replicated ideas. Rogue will continue to go from strength to strength with a raft of original and high-octane content that pushes the boundaries in an often copycat space.”

John Parsonage, CEO and Co-Founder of Rogue, added: “Founded in 2020, we’re still an embryonic business that’s witnessed exceptional growth in our first four years of existence, simply through making quality games that stand out, and then getting the quality distribution to realise their potential across assorted markets. QTech Games immediately delivered the goods in the latter department, thanks to the seamless ease with which their API allows various operators to quickly get our games live on their sites and the dexterity with which their game lobby distils our portfolio according to different regional tastes.

“This deal marks a huge opportunity for us to increase the reach of our games via QTech Games’ vast distributional scope, furnishing new operators and players with titles that dare to be different and disrupt the norm.”

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Balkans

Meridianbet (GMGI) Redefines Sports Sponsorship with Europe’s First Emblem Integration Deal

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Meridianbet, a global sports betting and gaming brand, part of the Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has advanced its strategic partnership with Euroleague basketball powerhouse Crvena Zvezda.

Building on over two years of collaboration, Meridianbet has achieved a first-of-its-kind branding integration in Serbia and the region by incorporating its logo into the club’s emblem. This innovative sponsorship represents a next-generation business model for sports partnerships, aligning with Meridianbet’s growth trajectory and global market positioning.

Breaking New Ground – Key Facts

  • First permanent logo integration in European basketball
  • Strong, ongoing partnership with a top-tier Euroleague club
  • Strategic amid NBA’s expanding interest in Europe

This partnership is not just a branding milestone but a reflection of Meridianbet’s long-term vision to reshape the future of sports sponsorship. Operating across 18 global markets and supporting over 100 professional and amateur sports clubs, Meridianbet demonstrates a forward-looking approach that integrates its brand into the core identity of its partners, fostering mutual growth and innovation.

Legacy Meets Innovation

This partnership unites two titans: Meridianbet, with 23 years of leadership in digital gaming, and Crvena Zvezda, a basketball dynasty with deep cultural significance for the entire Southeast Europe. As European basketball undergoes transformation and anticipates further global integration, this collaboration exemplifies how traditional sports values can harmonize with cutting-edge business strategies.

By embedding its brand into Crvena Zvezda’s crest, Meridianbet transcends conventional sponsorship, creating a long-term alliance that underscores its commitment to innovation, market leadership, and a shared vision for growth within the rapidly evolving sports landscape.

Group – Wide CSR Statement

Beyond the court, this move highlights Meridianbet’s broader ethos as part of Golden Matrix Group. As outlined in GMGI’s recent Q3 report, the company prioritizes investments in corporate social responsibility (CSR), funding grassroots sports initiatives, supporting youth education programs, and fostering sustainable development. Meridianbet’s sponsorships extend beyond financial transactions, representing a commitment to tangible community impact and long-term partnerships.

This strategic partnership also signals Meridianbet’s growing global ambitions. As part of Golden Matrix Group, the company continues to expand its presence in key markets while reinforcing its reputation as an innovator in sports betting and gaming. With proprietary technology and personalized customer experiences at its core, Meridianbet positions itself as a global leader deeply rooted in the communities it serves.

Crvena Zvezda’s fans, known for their passionate support, now carry a crest that combines legacy with innovation. For Meridianbet, this partnership is more than a branding exercise—it’s a statement of intent, a commitment to shaping the future of sports sponsorship in Serbia and beyond.

A New Era for European Basketball

Crvena Zvezda’s crest, now a blend of tradition and innovation, represents the convergence of two forces driving change in European sports. For Meridianbet, this initiative is not just a sponsorship—it’s a strategic declaration to shape the future of sports partnerships on a global scale.

As part of Golden Matrix Group, Meridianbet continues to expand its global footprint while pioneering next-generation solutions in sports betting and gaming. With proprietary technology and an unwavering commitment to personalized customer experiences, the company remains at the forefront of an industry poised for exponential growth.

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