Industry News
GambleAware calls for health warnings on gambling ads, as major research highlights need for improved safer gambling messaging
GambleAware, the leading commissioner of gambling harms prevention and treatment services in Great Britain, has called for enhanced evidence-based health warnings on gambling adverts. The call comes in response to findings published today from an independent research consortium, showing the need for clearer safer gambling messaging that highlights the risks associated with gambling.
The research, based on a survey of over 7,000 people, has called into question the effectiveness of the widely used industry-led slogan ‘Take Time To Think’ (TTTT). The report revealed that the current slogan fails to land the jeopardy of gambling harms or signpost where people can get help.
Alexia Clifford, Chief Communications Officer for GambleAware, said: “Gambling harms are a serious public health issue, and it is vital that people are aware of the risks associated. Today’s landmark study underscores the need to replace the industry-led slogan ‘Take Time To Think’ with more compelling health warnings.
“We’re also concerned about operators’ misuse of the GambleAware logo and the lack of clear signposting to support channels. We urge industry to take heed of the growing body of evidence highlighting the need for better safeguards and restrictions.”
Findings from the study indicate replacing current industry marketing messages with three new health warnings, which were shown to be clearer, more impactful, and more memorable to both the public and people who gamble.
Emphasising addictiveness was shown to prompt behaviour change, with the strapline ‘Gambling can be addictive’ having greater cut-through (46% of people who gamble vs. 35% for TTTT) and prompting the most people setting the lowest deposit limit. The warning ‘Gambling comes at a cost’ was seen by people who gamble as more impactful and memorable, especially compared to TTTT (22% of people who gamble say this vs. 12% for TTTT). It effectively conveyed implications beyond financial harms. ‘Gambling can grip anyone’ also performed well across metrics.
Dr Raffaello Rossi, a lecturer in marketing at Bristol University and co-author of the research, said: “In the absence of strict gambling marketing restrictions, it is absolutely vital that we see warnings on gambling advertising that highlight the addictive nature of gambling, paired with clear, unambiguous signposting for people to access support if needed. We need to see better regulation of gambling operators who are widely bombarding us with their ads.”
Additional findings showed that the inclusion of a clear and separate GambleAware health warning at the end of a 30-second gambling advert was more than twice as effective than Take Time To Think at showing people where to get support (72% vs. 30% agree). The analysis will form the basis of a new guidelines3 providing operators with clear guidance and recommendations on how to promote safer gambling and prevent harm.
The latest report findings align with the recent Government response, which clearly set out the need for public health messaging to be integrated and reinforced to effectively reduce harm and have impact. They also follow recent research from GambleAware highlighting the role advertising plays in normalising gambling for children and young people, who described feeling their online world was “saturated” with betting promotions and gambling-like content.
Sam Starsmore, who has lived experience of gambling harm, said: “I’ve experienced first-hand the profound impact of gambling harm on every aspect of life – mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. Sadly, there are potentially millions more people out there at risk of harm, and if they or a loved one are concerned about their gambling, they need to know where they can get help.
“Gambling operators spend millions on advertising, but there isn’t nearly enough regulation and signposting to support services has to be improved. Reflecting on my personal experiences, the safer gambling messages never had an impact in providing me with a platform or direction to seek the support I crucially needed. Change is needed and could help prevent so many people from more serious consequences further down the line.”
The post GambleAware calls for health warnings on gambling ads, as major research highlights need for improved safer gambling messaging appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Booming Games
Booming Games Strengthens Leadership with Appointment of New CFO
Booming Games has elevated Luke Sammut to the newly established position of Chief Financial Officer effective immediately.
Booming Games, a top supplier of high-quality gaming content, has today enhanced its C-suite by promoting Luke Sammut to the newly established position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective immediately. This comes after a series of recent high-level promotions at Booming Games, including the announcement of a new Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff last month.
Luke Sammut has dedicated more than eight years to Booming Games in multiple senior finance positions, most recently as the Director of Finance and Accounting. Having a solid foundation in accountancy and a strong enthusiasm for the iGaming sector, he contributes a vast amount of experience and industry expertise to the team. Located in Malta, Luke will be accountable for steering the company’s international financial strategy and managing reporting across various jurisdictions.
The establishment of the CFO position signifies a new phase in the company’s development and highlights a strong dedication to attracting and developing exceptional talent. With the company aiming to achieve ambitious growth goals and enhance its global reach this year, the timing of the appointment is quite promising. Focusing on customers in game development, Booming Games is consistently aiming to innovate and broaden its portfolio, with intentions to substantially boost the frequency of game releases this year.
Booming Games has a solid history of investing in its workforce, with the number of employees recently exceeding 200. In the future, the expanding C-suite will guarantee that the company keeps evolving and is positioned to handle the upcoming phase of its growth.
Max Niehusen, Founder of Booming Games, said: “We are delighted to announce Luke’s promotion, in what is a landmark moment for Booming Games as we appoint our first Chief Financial Officer. Over the past eight years, he has made an immense contribution to the business, playing an important role in our success during a key growth phase.
“I look forward to continuing working closely with him as we look to break new ground this year. As CFO, Luke’s experience will be critical as we expand our operations, with the aim of being regulated in every major market within the next five years.”
Luke Sammut, Chief Financial Officer at Booming Games, said: “With ambitious growth targets, Booming Games’ rapid expansion shows no sign of slowing. I am proud to be taking up the position of CFO, helping to shape the next phase of our financial strategy, at such a pivotal moment for the business. With clear direction from a strong leadership team, Booming Games is well placed to build on its strong financial foundations and seize the opportunity to further cement its reputation for market-leading innovation.”
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Flashscore
State of Mobile 2026: Flashscore Claims “Double Crown” as World’s #1 Sports App Globally and Dominates Key Markets in Brazil, France, and Italy
In a year defined by unprecedented digital sports consumption, Flashscore has cemented its status as the undisputed “second screen” for sports fans worldwide.
The prestigious State of Mobile 2026 report by market intelligence firm Sensor Tower has ranked Flashscore as the #1 Sports App globally for both Monthly Active Users (MAU) and MAU Growth, as well as #5 in sports app downloads.
The report validates that 2025 was a year of exceptional success for Flashscore. The platform shattered its own records, surpassing 125 million monthly active users globally in October – breaking the previous high (116 million MAU) set during the 2022 World Cup.
Regional Powerhouses: The “Big Three” Performance
While the global metrics are headline news, the Sensor Tower report reveals Flashscore’s overwhelming leadership in the world’s most passionate sporting nations:
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Brazil: Flashscore has achieved absolute dominance in Latin America’s biggest market, ranking #1 in MAU and #1 in MAU Growth, while also securing the #2 spot in Downloads.
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France: The platform achieved a clean sweep in engagement metrics, ranking #1 in MAU and #1 in MAU Growth, proving its essential status in the French market.
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Italy: Operating under the historic brand Diretta, the app is the fastest-growing sports platform in the country, ranked #1 for MAU Growth, and holds a strong podium position at #3 for Total MAU.
Martin Matejka, Marketing Director of Flashscore, said: “The State of Mobile 2026 report confirms what we see in our raw data: sports fans are increasingly demanding speed and depth over simple content. “This dual achievement highlights a rare dominance in the mobile ecosystem: Flashscore is not only maintaining the largest global audience but is also acquiring new users faster than any competitor in the sector. “For the betting and sports marketing industries, these numbers represent a massive, highly engaged audience that relies on Flashscore for instant data, making it a critical touchpoint for real-time sports consumption.”
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Gamblers Connect
Gamblers Connect has officially launched its iHub, a new dedicated page created to be your ultimate connection to the iGaming world
Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, is proud to announce the official launch of the iHub, a new dedicated page created to be your ultimate connection to the iGaming world.
The iHub exclusively features companies that have an official partnership or verified collaboration with Gamblers Connect, ensuring that every listing meets our editorial, commercial, and quality standards. To achieve this feat, we have successfully organized the complex web of the iGaming industry into a single, centralized location.
The sole purpose of the iHub is to function as a comprehensive database that allows anyone in iGaming, whether it is affiliates, operators, or players, to find the right solutions in one place. Unlike open directories, the iHub is a curated environment, only trusted, officially partnered companies are included, with no self-submissions or automated listings. The iHub, just as the industry itself, is built upon four essential pillars that cover every facet of the iGaming realm, including Affiliates, Game Providers, B2B Providers and Payment Solutions.
Every company featured within the iHub is manually reviewed and onboarded through an official partnership with Gamblers Connect, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and long-term value for the industry.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “The launch of the iHub perfectly reflects our goal to be the most transparent source of information in the iGaming world. It marks a new milestone in our history, as it represents a step forward in our ongoing mission to bring clarity to the industry. By launching the iHub, we unite the four essential pillars in a transparent and centralised manner, giving our community the ultimate resources to navigate the iGaming landscape.”
The post Gamblers Connect has officially launched its iHub, a new dedicated page created to be your ultimate connection to the iGaming world appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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