Latest News
New Research Reveals Gambling Ads on Social Media More Appealing to Children than Adults
According to a new study conducted at the University of Bristol, gambling advertising on social media is significantly more appealing to children and young people than to adults.
The study findings showed disguised gambling marketing and ads for betting on esports – professional online competing in computer games – were nearly four times more appealing to children than adults. It also revealed nearly half of children are exposed to such advertising weekly and around a quarter encounter it daily.
Whereas results showed the vast majority of adults were wary or annoyed when faced with gambling ads, children mainly reacted positively.
Co-lead investigator Dr Raffaello Rossi, who is conducting first-of-its-kind research into the use and impact of gambling advertising on social media, said: “The overwhelming strong appeal of gambling advertising on social media to children is of huge concern, as it is known the earlier people start gambling the more likely it will become habitual and problematic.
“That’s why there needs to be much stricter and clearer rules in place to clamp down on the issue, which could easily spiral out of control given how long children and young people spend on social media these days. Many of the adverts may look entirely innocent and harmless, but they in fact pose a serious risk of getting a whole new generation of gamblers hooked on a serious addiction which has devastating consequences.”
The report, in light of its findings and previous studies, is calling for:
- Esports gambling advertising, which automatically appeals to children and young people, to be banned.
- Gambling content marketing, which masquerades as something appealing, to be rigorously regulated and informed by what is proven to attract young people.
- Regulators to broaden the age range of a “young person” from 16-17 to 16-24-year-olds.
- Social media platforms to only allow gambling ads on social media when users actively opt-in to receive them.
The report comes as the Gambling Act is currently being reviewed by the government, and the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has launched a consultation to better protect children from gambling advertising which appeals to them.
This study surveyed online 210 children aged 11 to 17 years, 222 young people aged 18 to 24, and 221 adults aged 25 to 78 years in the UK from May to July last year.
Esports gambling adverts were also found to be much more appealing to children and young people than adults, who were shown to be four-times more likely to feel extremely negative emotions about the ads than children.
Co-lead investigator Agnes Nairn, Professor of Marketing at the University of Bristol’s School of Management, said: “We know from previous research that children are actively following and engaging with gambling content on social media and regulators are struggling to keep up with this trend. This new research shines a spotlight on two specific types of gambling adverts: content marketing and esports that are strongly and significantly more appealing to children and young people than to older adults.
“Importantly, the current regulations do not address these types of advertising at all. The esports market is forecast to exceed a billion dollars this year. It has an audience of 500 million people, most of them children and young people. The regulations need to be reformed as a matter of urgency.”
The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM), a leading UK gambling-harm prevention charity, provides a range of education programmes, working with thousands of schools and youth practitioners to help engage with and safeguard future generations against gambling harms.
Kev Clelland, Strategic Alliance Director at YGAM, said: “A key part of our programmes focus on gambling advertising, as well as the growth of esports, and this latest research will further inform our evidence-led resources. The findings support the evidence we submitted to the Gambling Act Review where we called for more to be done to minimise the exposure that children have to gambling advertising. All gambling advertising should be designed and displayed in a way that is appropriate for adults and avoids marketing techniques that appeal to children. There is opportunity to strengthen advertising protections and both the advertisers and the platforms which host adverts should use technology and data to do more.”
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The GRAI would like to hear the views of stakeholders, including operators and the public on the proposed regulations concerning licensing which will be commenced on a phased basis.
Consultation Published: Monday 7th April 2025
Submission period closes: 5pm on 5th May 2025
About us
We are the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. We were established on 5 March 2025. Our role is to regulate gambling activities in Ireland.
The law that established us, and sets out what we do, is the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
Those who wish to provide gambling activities in Ireland will need a licence from us. We can issue different types of gambling licences for in person or remote gambling activities, including the following:
1. Business to consumer gambling licences
This type of licence applies to those providing betting, gaming or lottery activities to consumers.
2. Business to business gambling licences
This type of licence applies to those selling or supplying a gambling product or gambling related service.
3. Licences for a charitable and philanthropic purpose
This type of licence applies to those who wish to provide betting, gaming, or lottery activities for charitable and philanthropic purposes.
We intend to start our licensing function in a phased way, with different licence category types opening at different times.
Our current plan is to first open for Business to Consumer betting licence applications in December 2025 (both in person and remote). This will be followed by opening for gaming licence applications (remote only) towards the end of the first quarter of 2026. However, the order and timing of commencement maybe subject to change. The license application process will take a number of months. Once an application is submitted it will be reviewed to ensure all necessary information and documentation has been submitted. We will then undertake various checks on the applicant and on the Information and documentation submitted to verify the information and to ensure it is given due consideration when making the decision to grant or refuse the license application.
What is the purpose of this consultation?
We have the power to make regulations. Regulations are laws created by Ministers or public bodies under powers given to them by Acts of the Oireachtas.
The first set of regulations we plan to make will:
a. Set the application fee for applications for betting (in person and remote) and gaming (in person and remote) licences. This is provided for in section 38 of the 2024 Act.
The second set of regulations we plan to make will:
b. Set the duration for which a gambling licence remains in force. This is provided for under section 108 of the 2024 Act.
AND
c. Set out some additional conditions which will apply to gambling licences. This is provided for under section 129 of the 2024 Act.
We would like to hear the views of stakeholders, including operators and the public on the proposed regulations.
For more information including how to submit a response please visit: Live Consultation page.
The post GRAI: Join the Ongoing Public Consultation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
S8UL announces participation in five titles at Esports World Cup 2025: Chess, EAFC 25, Tekken 8, COD: Warzone, and Apex Legends
S8UL, a global name in esports and gaming content, has officially announced its participation in five titles at the highly anticipated Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July 7 to August 24. The first wave of titles includes Chess, EAFC 25, Tekken 8, Call of Duty (COD): Warzone, and Apex Legends, with more titles and the official rosters to be revealed in the coming weeks.
This move marks a significant milestone for Indian esports. By entering globally competitive titles such as EAFC, Warzone, Apex, Tekken, and Chess, S8UL becomes one of the first Indian organizations to compete at this scale and across such a diverse mix of esports titles. It reflects a clear step toward going global, showing how Indian esports is moving from regional success to a much bigger stage. With this participation, S8UL reinforces the message that Indian esports orgs are ready to compete at the highest level, alongside some of the biggest names in the international esports scene.
To kick off the campaign, S8UL launched a quirky and fast-paced announcement video featuring popular content creator BeYouNick and its star-studded roster of creators. The storyline follows a raid at the S8UL gaming house by an ‘EWC Squad’, leading to a string of humorous reveals and cryptic clues — ultimately leaving fans with just enough answers to be excited, and just enough mystery to keep them hooked. The video has already garnered more than 2.8 million views on Instagram and over 738K views on YouTube, sparking massive fan engagement and applause across platforms.
“The announcement video was our way of involving the community right from the start — showcasing that S8UL’s strength lies not just in gameplay but in storytelling,” said Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder and CEO, S8UL.“This is a defining moment for Indian esports. Our entry into titles like EAFC, Warzone, Apex, Tekken and Chess is not just participation — it’s a statement. S8UL is going global. We’re stepping into arenas that many never imagined an Indian org could enter, and we’re doing it with heart, skill and intent. We’re not just here to play — we’re here to make a mark. And this is just the first stop in that journey.”
But S8UL’s plans for EWC 2025 go far beyond team participation. The organization is gearing up for one of its biggest campaigns yet, with a pan-India journey across 20+ cities in the lead-up to the World Cup. Fans can expect never-before-seen content, IRL experiences, roster reveals, exclusive behind-the-scenes access, and opportunities to travel and celebrate with the team. This campaign will bring together India’s vibrant gaming community — from brand partners and creators to hardcore fans and casual gamers — and unify them under one flag.
Featuring the largest prize pool in esports history and 24 of the world’s biggest esports titles, the Esports World Cup will also crown a Club Champion — the top-performing esports organization across all games. With over 50,000 square meters of space dedicated to fan activations, global pop culture integrations, and entertainment, the event promises to be the largest gaming festival on the planet.
As the only Indian content and esports org to have won at the prestigious Esports Awards, and with creators who continue to redefine the boundaries between competitive play and pop culture, S8UL is leading India’s global gaming revolution — and the Esports World Cup 2025 is just the next stop.
The post S8UL announces participation in five titles at Esports World Cup 2025: Chess, EAFC 25, Tekken 8, COD: Warzone, and Apex Legends appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
NOVOMATIC Argentina hosted a successful event with the ‘NOVOMATIC Experience’ during SAGSE 2025
Held in a private and sophisticated setting at the Rooftop in Puerto Madero, the NOVOMATIC Experience attracted a distinguished audience of 80 industry leaders, strategic partners, and customers. Guests enjoyed privileged access to the latest innovations, live demonstrations, strategic networking, and premium entertainment.
An outstanding showcase of NOVOMATIC’s excellence
The event provided a unique platform for the exploration of NOVOMATIC’s cutting-edge portfolio, featuring state-of-the-art cabinets, Linked Progressives, and advanced casino management systems. Attendees were impressed by the seamless integration of innovation and entertainment that provided a truly immersive experience.
The premiere of GLOBE LINK
Xtension Volume 2 in the elegant V.I.P. Lounge Curve 1.43 drew lots of attention, as did the powerful ULTRA BOOST Link on the PANTHERA Curve 1.43. Additionally, the DIAMOND X 1.55J with NOVO LINE GOLDEN LINK Edition 2 and the BLACK EDITION II 3.27 with IMPERA LINK Series 2, as well as the engaging MONEY PARTY Edition 1, which was showcased in the versatile FUNMASTER 2.27 cabinet, further enhanced the presentation, offering a comprehensive showcase of NOVOMATIC’s gaming solutions.
Guests also enjoyed participating in an exciting live tournament, powered by NOVOMATIC’s acclaimed Casino Management System. The event provided the ideal atmosphere for building relationships, exchanging insights, and creating valuable business opportunities.
Positive feedback and regional commitment
Reflecting on the event’s success, Fabián Luis Grous, Managing Director of NOVOMATIC Argentina, expressed his satisfaction: “The NOVOMATIC Experience was an incredible success. We were delighted to welcome so many esteemed guests and present our latest innovations in such an exclusive environment. This event not only strengthened our relationships but also reaffirmed our commitment to the evolution of gaming in Latin America.”
The NOVOMATIC Experience has once again set new standards of exclusivity in the gaming industry. With overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, the event stands out as one of the highlights of SAGSE 2025 week, delivering innovation, networking, and entertainment of the highest quality.
The post NOVOMATIC Argentina hosted a successful event with the ‘NOVOMATIC Experience’ during SAGSE 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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