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New Study Shows Online Gambling Soared During Lockdown, Especially Among Regular Gamblers
According to a new research, regular gamblers were more than six times more likely to gamble online compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study, led by the University of Bristol and published on May 17 in the Journal of Gambling Studies, showed regular male gamblers were particularly prone to gambling more often online during the public lockdown in the UK, compared to their previously reported gambling habits.
Although overall men and women gambled less frequently during the lockdown, partly due to betting shops being closed, some forms of gambling increased. For instance, usage of online gambling, including poker, bingo, and casino games, grew six-fold among regular gamblers. Respondents who gambled occasionally were still found to be more than twice as likely than before to gamble online.
Lead author Professor Alan Emond, of the University of Bristol’s Medical School, said: “This study provides unique real time insights into how people’s attitudes and gambling behaviour changed during lockdown, when everyone was stuck inside and unable to participate in most social activities. The findings reveal that although many forms of gambling were restricted, a minority of regular gamblers significantly increased their gambling and betting online. As with so many repercussions of the pandemic, inequalities have been exacerbated and particularly vulnerable groups were worse affected.”
The comparative research used two online questionnaires during the first lockdown in 2020, which surveyed the same group of adults, aged 28 years on average, who had previously been asked similar questions about gambling before the pandemic as part of the renowned Children of the 90s study, also known as the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).
More than 2600 adults responded and results revealed that during lockdown men were three times more likely than women to gamble regularly, defined as more than once a week. Drinking heavily, defined as more than six units in a session (equivalent to more than three pints of beer) at least once a week, was strongly linked to regular gambling among men and women. These trends are likely to be much greater in reality, as the majority (70%) of respondents to the surveys in lockdown were women.
Professor Emond, a public health expert, said: “The strong link between binge drinking and regular gambling is of particular concern, as they are both addictive behaviours which can have serious health and social consequences. With the wider availability of gambling through different online channels, vulnerable groups could get caught in a destructive cycle. A public health approach is needed to minimise gambling harms.”
Online advertising expert and co-author Agnes Nairn, Professor of Marketing at the University of Bristol’s School of Management, said: “The results of this study and trends being reported more widely are quite alarming. As gambling habits shift online, vulnerable groups including children and adults who drink heavily may be more easily sucked into these channels. The increased prevalence of home working is also an important consideration for future policy making, as the temptation to gamble online, amplified by clever advertising, is always there. Children are also falling prey to this advertising, especially for esports, on social media and could get locked into addictive habits from an early age. Stricter regulation is needed in this growing field to protect unwitting consumers.”
Alison Clare, Research, Information and Knowledge Director at GambleAware, said: “We know that gambling is part of the daily lives of children, young people and vulnerable adults and this research sheds further light on the impact Covid-19 and lockdown has had on gambling habits for young people. GambleAware is committed to ensuring all those affected by gambling harm have access to the necessary information and advice. All organisations, including National Health Services and charities need to work together to reduce stigma and raise awareness of the help and support that is available via the National Gambling Treatment Service.”
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ZEAL continues its path of success in the first half of 2025 and records growth in customer base and profitability
- Revenue increases by 32 percent to € 101.5 million
- EBITDA rises by 76 percent to € 35.4 million
- Number of monthly active customers for lotteries grows by 12 percent to 1.515 thousand
- Gross margin from lotteries improves to 17.3 percent
ZEAL Network SE, Germany’s leading online provider of lottery products, recorded substantial and sustainable growth in key performance indicators in the first half of 2025. Group revenue increased by 32 percent to € 101.5 million in the first six months of the year (2024: € 76.8 million). EBITDA rose by 76 percent to € 35.4 million (2024: € 20.1 million).
“We once again achieved strong results in the first half of 2025. ZEAL’s continued growth path proves that our business model is highly robust and scalable over the long term,” commented Helmut Becker, CEO of ZEAL. “We are in an excellent position to further expand our market leadership in a growing industry.”
Andrea Behrendt, CFO of ZEAL, added: “Our half-year results are a true team success – especially given that the jackpot situation was rather weak compared to the previous year. Challenging market conditions particularly underscore our operational excellence. The significant increases in revenue and EBITDA were driven by further expansion of our customer base and profitability.”
Lottery Business Revenue Grows by 34 Percent
The strong performance of the lottery business was the key driver of ZEAL’s significant revenue growth in the first half of the year. Despite lower average jackpot levels for LOTTO 6aus49 and Eurojackpot compared to the prior-year period, lottery billings increased by 4 percent to € 527.3 million (2024: € 507.1 million).
Thanks to continued successful marketing initiatives, the average number of active customers per month (MAU) rose by 12 percent to 1,515 thousand (2024: 1,353 thousand).
Additionally, ZEAL was able to improve the gross margin by 3.8 percentage points to 17.3 percent (2024: 13.4 percent), driven by a price increase implemented in the previous year and a changed product mix.
The simultaneous increase in billings and gross margin resulted in a significant 34 percent rise in lottery business revenue to € 91.0 million (2024: € 68.0 million).
Games Segment Grows by 49 Percent
The Games segment also continued its strong development in the first half of the year. ZEAL expanded its B2C games portfolio to more than 480 titles and increased revenue in the Games segment by 49 percent to € 6.7 million (2024: € 4.5 million).
Significant Increases in EBITDA and EBIT
Challenging jackpot conditions in the first half of 2025 made new customer acquisition more difficult. Nonetheless, ZEAL continued to invest heavily in sustained growth, acquiring 499 thousand new customers (2024: 592 thousand).
Intensive marketing efforts led to an increase in acquisition costs per new customer (Cost per Lead, CPL) by 41 percent to € 46.93 (2024: € 33.20).
Other operating expenses rose by 15 percent to € 49.4 million (2024: € 42.8 million).
In addition to strategic marketing spend—which increased by 14 percent to € 29.1 million (2024: € 25.5 million)—this was primarily due to higher direct and indirect operating costs. The ongoing development of the product mix led to an increase in direct operating costs by 14 percent to € 9.8 million (2024: € 8.6 million). Indirect operating costs increased by 20 percent to € 10.4 million (2024: € 8.7 million), driven in particular by external consulting services, freelance personnel, and software expenses.
Through efficiency gains and the scalability of its business model, ZEAL was able to increase EBITDA disproportionately to revenue—by 76 percent to € 35.4 million (2024: € 20.1 million). EBIT nearly doubled year-on-year, reaching € 31.1 million (2024: € 16.1 million).
Based on the strong results of the first half of 2025, ZEAL confirms the forecast published on March 26, 2025.
The post ZEAL continues its path of success in the first half of 2025 and records growth in customer base and profitability appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry veteran brings extensive experience to key leadership role at Relax Gaming
Relax Gaming, the renowned iGaming aggregator and supplier, has strengthened its executive team with the appointment of Tony O’Mahony as Chief Product Officer (CPO).
O’Mahony brings a wealth of experience to the role, having most recently served as a Product Strategy Consultant within the iGaming space. His career highlights include senior leadership positions, including Chief Product Officer, at Casumo, A5 Labs, and Gaming Innovation Group, as well as Vice President of Product at Lottoland.
With a proven track record of building and scaling product teams, O’Mahony’s arrival marks a new chapter in Relax Gaming’s product journey, following the departure of former CPO Shelley Hannah.
In his new role, Tony will lead the company’s product division, working cross-functionally with technical, commercial, and operational teams to further elevate Relax’s product strategy and execution.
Commenting on the appointment, Martin Stålros, CEO at Relax Gaming, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Tony to Relax Gaming. His deep product knowledge, coupled with extensive industry experience, make him an ideal fit for the next phase of our growth.
“Tony’s collaborative approach and strategic mindset align perfectly with our culture, and I’m confident he’ll have a major impact as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation.”
Tony O’Mahony, Chief Product Officer at Relax Gaming, added: “I’ve long admired Relax Gaming for its product-led ethos, strong values, and standout reputation in the industry. I’m genuinely excited to be joining such a talented and passionate team, and I’m looking forward to helping build on the foundations already in place. Product success is always a team effort, and I can’t wait to get started, meet the wider team, and play my part in what’s next for Relax.”
The post Tony O’Mahony joins Relax Gaming as new Chief Product Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Caesars Entertainment
NetGaming Goes Live on Caesars Online Casinos Across Key North American Markets
NetGaming, an emerging force in online casino content development, is proud to announce the official launch of its premium casino titles on Caesars Entertainment’s online casino platforms across Michigan, New Jersey, and Ontario. As part of this launch, NetGaming’s engaging portfolio, including fan-favorite titles Wicked Wins – Fortune Pick, Zeus’s Thunderbolt 5000, and American Wonder Reels are now live with Caesars in Michigan, New Jersey, and Ontario, with additional jurisdictions to follow soon.
This partnership brings together NetGaming’s creative game design and Caesars’ expansive online casino presence, giving players across North America access to immersive and high-quality slot experiences. The integration of NetGaming titles into Caesars’ online casino platforms represents a significant milestone for the studio as it accelerates its growth in North America.
Pallavi Deshmukh, CEO of NetGaming, said: “We are delighted to see our games live with Caesars, one of the most iconic names in the gaming industry. The launch in three major markets is just the beginning, and we’re excited about expanding further across North America. Our games are designed to entertain, and we’re confident they will resonate well with Caesars’ diverse player base.”
Matthew Sunderland, Senior Vice President and Chief iGaming Officer at Caesars Digital added: “We’re grateful to our partners at NetGaming for supporting our ongoing mission to deliver an enhanced gaming experience on our online casino platforms. We have consistently been impressed by the creativity of their game portfolio and look forward to continuing to offer innovative content that enriches our players’ experience through this partnership.”
The post NetGaming Goes Live on Caesars Online Casinos Across Key North American Markets appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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