News
Over 2/3 of Gambling Experts Believe in Global Self-exclusion, Casino Guru Survey Reveals

A survey by the world’s biggest casino database, online gambling authority, and activist for sustainable gambling measures, Casino Guru, found 70% of respondents believed the company’s proposed Global Self-exclusion system (GSE) is a tool the industry needs.
The Casino Guru’s Global Self-exclusion Initiative was revealed to the public at large in March 2021. Since then, the project’s manager Simon Vincze has been engaging in initial meetings with various industry authorities and supplying the site with a steady supply of articles discussing the Initiative’s objective, plan of action, and latest developments.
Self-exclusion schemes are an integral part of the gambling industry’s effort to help prevent the proliferation of gambling addiction within its player base. However, the currently available solutions have been betrayed time and time again by the relative ease with which self-excluded players can gamble with foreign online operators.
Casino Guru felt that the solution to this issue was evident – a global self-exclusion scheme. And though creating such a system is easier said than done, the company did not waste any time laying down the groundwork for its envisioned solution.
In preparation for their latest article discussing the proposed solutions and potential concerns of the GSE, the team behind the Initiative ran an anonymous survey among a selected number of industry insiders polling them on their opinions.
Casino Guru’s findings
In total, 41 industry insiders partook in the survey. The majority, 41.5%, was neutral in regards to the current self-exclusion options. The remainder of the company’s survey sample was split directly down the middle, 29.3% feeling dissatisfied and 29.3% satisfied.
To Casino Guru’s delight, an overwhelming majority of 70% thought that the GSE was a good idea. In subsequent questions, 67.5% of people thought a global self-exclusion scheme could improve the overall reliability of self-exclusions in general, and 51.2% even felt that it could become the new industry standard.
Perhaps more than anything, the survey showed the true necessity of creating comprehensive informational content regarding the Initiative, as some respondents either misunderstood or had trouble properly grasping the subject. However, the survey also revealed several well-founded questions and concerns. All of these will be thoroughly discussed in an upcoming article on the Global Self-exclusion site, but here are two of Casino Guru’s favorites as a preview.
One common concern voiced by multiple respondents was that self-exclusion, in general, is an insufficient “cure” for problem gambling. And Casino Guru agrees. It is not enough to simply stop problem players from gambling. Instead, the GSE seeks to address the issue by cooperating more closely with problem gambling help organizations. Gamblers registering for the global self-exclusion scheme will be given the option of requesting that a social worker contacts them about their problem. Furthermore, we intend on providing individuals with the additional option of selecting the help organization of their choice, where they wish to undergo consultations and treatment.
The second concern the company wanted to highlight was the prevalent concern that a global self-exclusion scheme may force some players towards illegal gambling. Unfortunately, this is an entirely valid worry, as it is essentially impossible to safeguard the entire market. However, the GSE can fight against this unwanted consequence by limiting the options self-excluded gamblers have for illegal gambling, creating a space that is easier to monitor and lends itself better to proactive problem gambling prevention efforts.
In closing, the topic of a global self-exclusion system is and will likely remain a source of great contention not only within the gambling sphere but among the general public as well. However, Casino Guru is not giving up on their mission and believes that activities such as these will, in time, undoubtedly bear fruit, and their vision will become a reality.
About Casino Guru
Casino Guru originally began as nothing more than a simple online casino database, seeking to provide helpful, relevant, and up-to-date information to its visitors. However, since its inception, it has grown to become the biggest of its kind. In time, the company branched out and is currently operating a successful online gambling forum, an online casino complaint center, and publishes in-depth articles on gambling mechanics and problem gambling. Most recently, Casino Guru created an Academy for educating future employees in the gambling sphere and the Global Self-exclusion Initiative described in this article.
These activities are inspired by the company’s wholehearted belief in the need for the proliferation of sustainable gambling practices within the industry and the protection of problem gamblers.
Affiliate Announcements
ReferOn Expands Offering with New Support Packages, “ReferOn Assist”

ReferOn, an innovative affiliate management system, has experienced significant growth in 2024, with multiple technical and quality-of-life improvements to the platform. As a result of an influx of new operators and affiliates, ReferOn has introduced ReferOn Assist.
ReferOn Assist offers tailored support packages in three distinct tiers: ReferOn Assist, ReferOn Assist Plus, and ReferOn Assist Premium. Each tier provides enhanced support, cost-effective hourly support rates and more to help users meet their affiliate marketing strategy goals.
ReferOn Assist, the entry-level subscription package, includes a number of benefits, such as guaranteed support hours, faster response times and a higher resolution priority compared to ReferOn Basic users. All ReferOn Assist subscribers also receive direct channel support for easy access to our agents. Lastly, subscribers to this tier also enjoy more cost-effective out-of-hours support prices and affordable review reports for business analysis purposes.
ReferOn Assist Plus offers a further guaranteed response time, a larger bundle of support hours included and extra training time to help maximise affiliate operation efficiency. This subscription tier includes a quarterly review report packed with valuable insights and dedicated resolution priority for any pressing queries or issues. All subscribers also receive even further reduced out-of-hours support rates.
The last tier, ReferOn Assist Premium, provides operators and affiliates with the most comprehensive dedicated support package. Subscribers receive the highest response time and a large bundle of inclusive support hours at reduced rates. Premium users have access to a dedicated support manager for tailored assistance and the most cost-effective prices for after-hours support.
Each of these support packages are tailored to continue to provide the best possible customer service for Referon clients, whilst also helping reduce costs.
David Harris, ReferOn’s Operation Lead, commented on the new support packages, saying, “ReferOn prides itself on providing top-quality support for all operators and affiliates. The release of the ReferOn Assist packages allows us to prioritise helping our valued partners to ensure that they can make the most of our platform at all times. We look forward to seeing how the ReferOn team can work closely with all our users to achieve their business needs.”
Awards
Casino Guru shortlisted for AffPapa iGaming Awards due on May 28

Casino Guru is part of the upcoming AffPapa iGaming Awards due to take place in Malaga, Malta on May 28, with the company shortlisted in both the “Branding of the Year” and “Casino Affiliate of the Year” categories.
This marks another major milestone for Casino Guru this year, as the company has been shortlisted for both the iGB Affiliate Awards and the SBC Awards Europe.
These achievements have clearly demonstrated Casino Guru’s lasting influence in the iGaming industry and the prominent status it holds thanks to its ongoing efforts to make the sector more transparent, responsible, and safer for players.
Daniela Silva, Public Relations and Creative Projects Director, said: “The nomination for the ‘Branding of the Year’ category is an exceptional achievement for Casino Guru. The company has worked tirelessly to establish itself as a brand synonymous with player trust and recognition, and I am confident this nomination exemplifies exactly that. Our creative projects extend beyond Casino Guru alone, as the brand continues to expand and promote best practices in iGaming that help players stay safe, informed, and responsible.”
Casino Guru’s nominations for the AffPapa iGaming Awards reflect the painstaking work the company has put into ensuring that it builds a brand that is synonymous with player trust and confidence.
Through the Complaint Resolution Center and Safety Index, Casino Guru has consolidated its presence in the industry as the foremost authority on guiding players to the best casinos.
Casino Guru uses the world’s most advanced evaluation process and regularly reviews entries into the database to ensure impartiality and objectivity in offering players the opportunity to choose from a list of established and carefully-assessed brands.
Awards
Industry praised as finalists announced for July’s iGB Affiliate Awards

Stephen Carter, Clarion Gaming’s Head of Affiliate Content and internal judging lead for the IGB Affiliate Awards has praised both the number of submissions received and their overall quality.
Speaking as organisers published the list of finalists across the 20-strong categories, he confirmed: “Our external industry judges who are selected for their expertise and their depth of knowledge of the iGaming affiliate sector have been hugely impressed by the overall quality of the individual submissions and the number of companies that have chosen to participate in the 2025 edition of the Awards.
“Both metrics are indicative of how seriously the Awards are taken and how they are widely recognised for being the most prestigious and transparent merit-based awards in iGaming.
“It’s also significant that 40% of the submissions which have progressed to the finals are from businesses not previously shortlisted. This level of engagement demonstrates the relevance and reputation enjoyed by the iGB Affiliate Awards across the iGaming ecosystem.”
Madrid headquartered Betandeal has achieved the most shortlisted entries, making the cut in five categories. The affiliate agency is closely followed by Gambling.com Group, which has put itself in the running across four categories, for best affiliate in casino, sports and bingo (via its WhichBingo brand) as well as Affiliate Employer of the Year.
Newcomer WagerWire has also been shortlisted in four categories across sports, Safer Gambling Initiative of the Year, Employer of the Year and Best Affiliate Campaign.
Interest is mounting in the showpiece black-tie event, with the industry celebration being presented by broadcaster and musician Myleene Klass MBE.
The critically acclaimed television personality, part of the original Britpop era, will host the Cool Britannia-themed event being held 3 July at the Troxy, the stunning Art Deco masterpiece situated in the heart of East London.
The Troxy has an 80-year musical heritage and has featured performances by Liam Gallagher, Jarvis Cocker, Garbage and the Cure.
Members of the iGaming affiliate community can still participate in the public vote for Game of the Year by following the link found at https://www.igblive.com/igb-affiliate-awards-2025. Votes must be cast before 3 June.
The iGB Affiliate Awards shortlist can be viewed at: https://www.igbaffiliate.com/en/articles/121752/igb-affiliate-awards-2025-shortlist-revealed/
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