IN THE NEWS

Are the days of devastating, life-changing losses from sky-high stakes on online slot games coming to an end? In a bid to minimise harm and keep the gaming experience enjoyable, the UK Government is implementing stake limits of £2 for under-25s and £5 for those over 25 with effect from September 2024.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is looking to minimise the potential for significant harm (both financial and emotional) associated with online slots. Let’s take a closer look.

Protecting the Next Generation of Slots Fans

Playing within your means and knowing how and when to stop is the crux of an enjoyable gaming experience. But there’s a darker side to online slot games for some – their addictive nature.

Which is why the government is taking steps to safeguard young adults, the demographic with the highest average problem gambling score of any age group. By addressing the vulnerabilities of this age group and limiting stakes, the government is aiming to ensure that playing online slots doesn’t come at a damaging price. 

On the need for new measure, Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew states:

“Although millions of people gamble safely every single day, the evidence shows that there is a significantly higher problem gambling rate for online slot games […] so this announcement will level the playing field with the land-based sector and is the next step in a host of measures being introduced this year that will protect people from gambling harms.”

There’s currently no stake limit per spin on online slots. However, since 2019, there’s been a £2 limit on stakes (down from £100) on equivalent machines in betting shops, known as fixed-odds betting terminals. And the new limit matches the maximum on land-based fruit machines in casinos and other licensed premises –

Welcoming Safer Spins 

Gambling charity GambleAware, which works to reduce harm and improve players’ well-being, accepts the lower stake limits, with chief exec Zoe Osmond sharing: 

“Our research shows a concerning trend with this age group experiencing an increase in harm arising from gambling and online slots are very high-risk products.

“We welcome the Government’s announcement to introduce lower online stake limits for under-25s as an important mechanism to protect young people.”

But Could More Be Done?

To some, these new regulations don’t go far enough. 

“The £2 limit for under-25s is a step in the right direction, but £5 for over-25s is another missed opportunity to stop the harm to millions and the devastation caused by gambling suicides.” says Charles Ritchie, co-founder of Gambling with Lives, who goes on to suggest changes to online slot games’ functionality such as slower spin speeds.

Ready, Set, Spin!

So what will the future hold for online slot enthusiasts? Will we still see big wins, like the player who scooped a €3.7 million Wowpot! Jackpot? With the new stake limits due in September, players will soon find themselves navigating a new world of online slots sites. 

While Safeplay Tools offer support, stake limits could prove crucial for encouraging healthy gaming habits. We say – any steps that foster a safe environment for players, ensuring happy playing and prioritising well-being, gets a thumbs up.

What’s that sound we can hear? Probably the resounding cheers of one lucky online casino player who dropped a huge €3.7 million progressive jackpot playing Wolf Blaze WowPot! Megaways on a €0.20 bet . As the online gaming community celebrates this amazing win, let’s delve into the success of Games Global in the world of online casino sites and find out more about the win.

The Megaways magic

So why are Megaways games so popular? A crucial element in the success of games like Wolf Blaze WowPot! is in the Megaways mechanic. Unlike traditional online slots that maintain the same number of paylines, reels, and rows on every spin, Megaways offers a more dynamic gaming experience which means there’s up to 117,649 ways to win. This special feature has captured the attention of thrill-seekers looking for a more unpredictable gaming experience.

Massive monies and Games Global’s dominance

WowPot! is part of Games Global’s progressive jackpot network which arrived on the scene in April 2023 and marked a shift in the online casino experience. Games Global, a leading player (excuse the pun) in the online casino domain, is an operator with an impressive portfolio of over 1000 games, across nearly 1000 global operators. Collaborating with more than 35 studios, including the developers Fortune Factory Studios behind Wolf Blaze WowPot!, Games Global has established itself as an industry powerhouse.

The recent €3.7 million follows closely on the heels (by close we mean a month) of a €38.4 million WowPot! payout, setting a new record for the largest online slot game win. Games Global’s progressive jackpot network, including Mega Moolah from 2021, has made industry history by an astounding average win rate of every 10 seconds in 2023.

Insights from the game’s architects

Sinead Benson, Fortune Factory Studios’s business development manager added: “This is the sort of thing we all hope for when creating exciting content and we are thrilled to be a part of the WowPot! story.” 

And from Andy Booth, Games Global’s chief product officer: “There is nothing more satisfying than seeing our record-breaking network jackpots drop, especially when those wins come so close to one another. Congratulations to both the player and Fortune Factory Studios […].”