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.
In an industry that never stands still, the race for innovation is constant. GoldenRace identified a shift in player behaviour: the modern audience craves more than just a bet; they want innovation, simplicity, gamification, fun, excitement, rewards and speed.
This realisation led to the birth of a brand-new vertical designed to bridge the gap between traditional betting and casual arcade gaming: Hit&Win.
GoldenRace’s first titles in this category are Arcade Heist, which takes the concept to a whole new level by introducing the essence of gaming: a community experience; and Fortune Fighters, a combat-themed experience that brings the intensity of a tournament arena to the palm of a player’s hand.
Arcade Heist moves away from the solitary nature of traditional betting and introduces a raid mechanic. In this game, the high-stakes world of undercover robberies meets classic arcade fun, but with a revolutionary twist.
On the other hand, what sets Fortune Fighters apart is its narrative depth. Players step into the shoes of Kai, a disciplined student fighting to restore his master’s honour against the reckless and loud Brotus. By entering “The Fortune Tournament”, players participate in a quest where every strike, dodge and move is a wager. This storytelling drives long-term engagement and player loyalty, turning a standard betting session into an immersive journey.
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Bruce Smith Enterprise
The Cordish Companies, Bruce Smith Enterprise and Live! Casino Virginia Celebrate Opening of Central Virginia’s First Full-Scale Casino
The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise celebrated the highly-anticipated grand opening of Live! Casino Virginia, the region’s first full-scale casino. The opening of the temporary gaming facility marks an important milestone in bringing new jobs, economic development, and tourism to the region while construction advances on the permanent resort destination next door.
Located just 25 miles south of Richmond and only 45 miles north of the North Carolina border, Live! Casino Virginia is conveniently off I-95 at Exit 48B. Live! Casino Virginia delivers a full-scale gaming experience 24 hours a day, seven days a week, featuring 75,000 square feet of gaming space with more than 900 state-of-the-art slot machines and over 30 live-action table games. Guests also can enjoy a signature bar and quick-service restaurant, with more than 1000 free parking spaces for added convenience. Combined with the signature excitement and superior hospitality only Live! can provide, the casino promises an unmatched entertainment experience for locals and out-of-town guests.
“We are proud to introduce an unparalleled entertainment experience to this market – the area’s first full-scale casino, offering the pulse-pounding excitement of Vegas-style slots, dynamic table games, and the unmistakable energy that defines the Live! Brand. Live Casino Virginia is a game-changing development, positioned to be a catalyst for entertainment, hospitality, and sustained economic growth throughout the region for decades to come,” said Jon Cordish, Principal of The Cordish Companies.
The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise were joined by Virginia Lottery Board Chairman Ferhan Hamid; Virginia Lottery Executive Director Khalid Jones; Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham and members of Petersburg City Council; Pro Football legend Joe Theismann; and many community and business leaders from around the region to celebrate the opening.
“For far too long, this area has been a place people passed through rather than stopped to explore; today, that changes. Live! Casino Virginia will stand as a destination in its own right, and as someone deeply committed to this region and its people, I’m proud to help create opportunities that strengthen, inspire, and invest in the community for generations ahead,” said Bruce Smith, founder of Bruce Smith Enterprise.
“The influence Live! Casino Virginia is already having on Petersburg cannot be overstated. From the temporary casino to the future permanent resort, this project is poised to redefine the Tri-Cities and help shape the long-term trajectory of our region. This moment marks the beginning of a powerful new era,” said Mayor Samuel Parham, City of Petersburg, VA.
During the grand opening celebration, $15,050,000 was presented to the City of Petersburg and local charities in support of city initiatives, community programs and nonprofit organizations. The $15 million donation to the City is part of a broader commitment by The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise, which includes additional scheduled contributions. Through the establishment of a Community Advisory Board, a portion of these funds will be designated to support city initiatives including services for the elderly, childcare, affordable housing, parks and recreation facilities, support for education, healthcare, and housing and workforce development for disadvantaged populations, ensuring a meaningful and lasting impact on the community. On January 20, the property’s Charity Test Day generated $50,000 in proceeds, which were split evenly between two local organizations – Feed More and the John Randolph Foundation – providing $25,000 to each.
Additionally, the Virginia State University Foundation is the recipient of the inaugural “Live! Change Maker” program, a charitable initiative that allows guests to donate remaining change from their winnings to a local nonprofit through its cash-out kiosks. Funds collected through the program through March 31, 2026, will directly support the Virginia State University Foundation’s mission to advance educational opportunities, student success, and institutional excellence at Virginia State University. Live! Casino Virginia’s program is part of the casino’s ongoing community engagement and corporate social responsibility efforts, designed to make giving back simple and impactful for guests. Last year, Live! Casinos across the country distributed millions of dollars to local charities through the initiative. Each quarter, a new local nonprofit will be selected as a recipient of the program.
The post The Cordish Companies, Bruce Smith Enterprise and Live! Casino Virginia Celebrate Opening of Central Virginia’s First Full-Scale Casino appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Online casino engagement is breaking down faster than operators anticipated, according to new research by CasinoRank. The analysis tracked player behaviour across 847 slot, crash and live dealer titles over 18 months and shows that while players are logging into casinos more frequently, their willingness to stay and engage is declining. Session frequency rose 23% year over year, while median session duration fell 18%, pointing to a shift towards shorter, faster interactions rather than sustained play.
The research draws on aggregated session data from 40 operators across Europe, Latin America and Asia between Q2 2024 and December 2025. Across markets, a consistent pattern emerged: platforms that introduced additional layers between app open and first gameplay experienced higher early-session abandonment, even when traffic increased. Personalisation layers, lobby restructuring, promotional overlays and navigation changes that delayed the first meaningful interaction were repeatedly linked to players exiting before placing a bet.
Key patterns:
• Players opening casino apps more often but exiting earlier
• Higher abandonment when friction appears before first gameplay
• Steeper retention declines as response times reach double-digit seconds
• A growing share of session losses occurring before gameplay begins.
The findings suggest the window to earn engagement has collapsed to seconds. Mobile-first behaviour has reduced tolerance for slow loading, unclear navigation or delayed gameplay. Retention declines steadily as response times increase, with the sharpest drop once delays extend into double-digit seconds.
Game performance data reflects the same shift. Titles built around immediately understandable mechanics consistently maintain top-ranking visibility longer than feature-heavy games with layered bonus structures or complex progression systems. As engagement windows shorten, complexity is increasingly perceived as friction rather than innovation.
Dylan Thomas, credibility lead at CasinoRank, said the findings point to a structural change rather than a temporary fluctuation. “Engagement is not falling. It is fracturing. Players are returning more often, but committing less time per visit,” Thomas said.
“Platforms now have seconds, not minutes, to earn the first meaningful action.”
The post CasinoRank Data Reveals an Attention Crisis in Online Casino Gaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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