Latest News
Two in Three People Experiencing Gambling Problems Keep Issue Hidden
As many as 2 in 3 adults (64%) in Great Britain who have experienced any gambling problem have kept their experience hidden, new research from GambleAware has revealed. With almost 2 in 5 (39%) of those who hadn’t opened up stating feelings of stigma such as shame, guilt and fear of judgement represent key barriers to reaching out for support – the charity is issuing a call to end damaging stigma and encourage those who may be experiencing gambling harms to “open-up about gambling”.
Zoë Osmond, Chief Executive of GambleAware, said: “It’s alarming to see the number of people who are struggling in isolation. As a hidden addiction, gambling harms can be incredibly hard to spot from the outside. It is therefore critical that people impacted are aware of the wide range of support services available, and that they feel safe to come forward. Anyone can be impacted by gambling harms, but the first step is to open up and have that first conversation, ideally as early as possible.”
The campaign launch comes as research also suggests that most of the public believe certain gambling products, such as instant win games, are addictive, indicating how gambling harm can affect anyone and the importance of building empathy for those experiencing harm. Specifically, over seven in ten (71%) respondents said they believe instant win games are very or fairly addictive, followed by 64% for scratch cards and 62% for casino games.
Noteworthy football commentator Clive Tyldesley said: “I think that since I’ve started to work with charities and meet and talk with both people who gambled which were in recovery and bereaved family members, the thing that has struck me is how normal and unremarkable their backgrounds invariably are. Harmful gambling really can affect anyone and very often those suffering show no outward signs of their issues. It’s a silent, invisible problem because too often the gamblers disappear into their own feelings of embarrassment and guilt. They think they’re to blame when they are not, they think they’re alone when many others are wrestling with the same issues. Getting them to open up and talk is half the battle to beating the problem, either with people close to them or via the professional support the GambleAware website offers. The first conversation is maybe the most difficult but it’s the most soothing and the most important too.”
Professor Dame Clare Gerada said: “When I opened the doors of the nation’s first Primary Care Gambling Service a few short years ago, I was a relative newcomer to the challenges surrounding gambling. However, since then, my eyes have been thoroughly opened.
“Gambling is an addiction which can only be described as ‘uniquely’ awful: the ruin it wreaks on people’s lives can be complete and multi-layered; the collateral damage is also considerable as families and loved ones suffer alongside. Its inherently hidden nature means that, at the moment, people have to see their lives collapse around them before they get the help they desperately need. It doesn’t need to be like this. There is an incredible breadth of support service, from how to deal with debt, to how to stop gambling completely which people can access for free through the National Gambling Support Network, and I urge anyone concerned about their gambling to do so.”
Positively, the research also supports the benefits of opening up, as three out of four (76%) who had talked about their problems stated they felt better after speaking to someone. With gambling harms often manifesting as intrinsically “hidden” and isolating, GambleAware is aiming to bring to the surface the power of conversations and provide reassurance that help is never far.
The campaign has been developed in close collaboration with the gambling harms lived experienced community, and is supported by a range of expert and influential voices including ex-Love Islander Scott Thomas, who has previously experienced gambling harms.
Scott Thomas, Entrepreneur and Presenter, said: “It’s an incredibly scary thing to first tell someone that you’ve got a gambling problem. Many people assume it’s just because you can’t handle your money, but it needs to be viewed as seriously as any other mental health condition. I was terrified when I first opened up about the problems I had been having but, once I did, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I no longer had to hide. I want the same to happen for anyone out there who feels like they might be struggling on their own.”
There is a vast range of resources available and anyone who is worried that gambling might be affecting themselves or someone they love are encouraged to use the self-assessment tool to get free and confidential support tailored to them and their specific needs.
Elissa Hubbard, who has lived experience of gambling harms, said: “Every day was full of anxiety – trying to keep my gambling a secret, whilst finding opportunities to do it more. People think you can ‘just stop’, but you can’t… it’s so easy to be dismissed, and I didn’t want anyone to think bad of me. Finding help changed everything. I discovered that by keeping quiet, it helps no one, and when you start to talk about it, people start to understand you.”
GambleAware has also created tools to help users calculate the time and money spent gambling, served with recommendations in line with the internationally proven Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines. These are expected to become available from early December as part of a soft launch on the GambleAware website.
Dr Ellie Cannon, medical expert and commentator, said: “Gambling harms – or the negative consequences of gambling – are a complex issue that goes far beyond just financial challenges. It can lead to poor mental health, physical health, and relationships break down. They way these issues manifest will vary from person to person, but being aware and recognising the early warning signs of spending increasing amounts of time, money and hiding your gambling can help get people to a better place, sooner.”
Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said: “Too often we see the devastating impacts of harmful gambling, and our white paper outlines a host of new measures we’re implementing to protect those most at risk. A key element of our plans is the introduction of a statutory levy on gambling companies to raise sufficient, sustainable and trusted funding for research, prevention and treatment of gambling related harm. Stigma is the biggest barrier preventing people from seeking help, and I welcome GambleAware’s vital campaign which is raising awareness of the issue and helping people get the support they need.”
Betnacional
Betnacional launches “Vini Sênior” as new version of Vini Jr. and reinforces leadership in Responsible Gaming
In a campaign created by Galeria, the athlete uses his more visual seniority to highlight the importance of control and self-care when betting.
São Paulo, April 2026, Betnacional, a brand of the Flutter Brazil group, advances in the consolidation of its Responsible Gaming practices with the launch of the Vini Sênior campaign.
Starred by the brand ambassador and star of the Brazilian National Team, Vinícius Jr., the communication plays with the term “Júnior” to present a more experienced character, aligned with the concept of seniority.
The movement reinforces the evolution of the athlete and of the “bet of the Brazilians”, in addition to highlighting the company’s pioneering spirit in the sector.
It was the first to launch a campaign focused exclusively on responsible gaming, in August 2024, anticipating the regulatory framework.
Now, the initiative gains a new chapter by reinforcing established values and expanding the use of proprietary tools for control, balance, and self-care.
Created by Galeria and with the motto “Play like a senior, with responsibility”, the strategy positions Vini as a spokesperson and mentor for a conscious approach when betting, something that has always been a priority at Betnacional.
In three 30” films, the campaign translates this maturity in a close and humorous way, and reinforces the importance of practical attitudes and personalized messages on the platform, where the bettor finds a customizable protection network to ensure that betting continues to be entertainment.
More than a guideline, it is an integrated front in product development, communication, and the betting experience, supported by a robust structure of control and protection tools.
“Responsible gaming is at the center of our strategy and guides how we evolve the platform and relate to the public”, says Alvaro Garcia, cmo of Flutter Brazil.
“With Vini Sênior, we take another step by making this agenda closer and more understandable, without losing the consistency of continuous work, which seeks to promote a sustainable relationship with entertainment over time”, he concludes.
For the athlete Vinicius Jr., responsibility and prudence are already part of the daily practice of betting.
“Brazilians are passionate about football and betting talk is already part of our daily lives. But for the game to be complete, it needs to be safe. I was very happy to bring Vini Sênior to life because this is a message I truly believe in. We want people to have fun on the platform, always with balance and taking care of their own pockets. The great catch of Vini Sênior is showing that maturity is part of the game”, says the striker.
“You have to know when to stop, set deposit limits, and not let the game go too far. And Betnacional has mechanisms to set values, take a break when necessary, and a customer service team focused on helping in more complex situations”, comments Vini.
“Brazilians are born liking football, fun, and chat, and that won’t change, it’s in the essence of our people. So, it is always valid to reinforce that our game, which deals with the passion of millions of Brazilians, is played in a light way, based on healthy and safe entertainment, without compromising one’s pocket”, concludes the Brazilian athlete.
The communication unfolds in films for TV and digital, as well as OOH pieces, with the “Vini Sênior” character leading the way.
The materials depict the athlete characterized as an older, and even more mature version of himself, in remote settings connected with nature, reinforcing the protection resources already structured at Betnacional, which allow the bettor to define personalized limits for deposits, amounts wagered, and losses, with independent settings for sports betting and casino.
The platform also offers tools focused on managing time and gaming behavior, such as monitoring session time and the number of bets, as well as options for scheduled breaks and self-exclusion.
For Galeria, the challenge was to raise the conversation about limits without questioning the behavior of those who use the platform.
“Responsible gaming is a serious topic, but it doesn’t have to be a boring topic. We sought to approach the subject with a lightness that connects with the Brazilian public. Vini Júnior, Betnacional ambassador, is the perfect person to convey our message with a touch of irreverence and a lot of impact, especially considering the prominence Vini will have in Brazil’s games in June”, comments Mario Cintra, creative director of Galeria.
The post Betnacional launches “Vini Sênior” as new version of Vini Jr. and reinforces leadership in Responsible Gaming appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Baltics
HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius 2026 Agenda Sets the Stage for the Region’s Next Era of iGaming Regulation & Fintech Integration
The agenda for HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius 2026 has officially been revealed, marking a defining moment for the Baltic region’s iGaming, fintech, and regulatory landscape.
Taking place on 21 April 2026 at the Hilton Garden Inn Vilnius City Centre, the conference launches HIPTHER’s new Baltics-focused series, a bold evolution designed to bring deeper, jurisdiction-specific insight and high-level dialogue to one of Europe’s fastest-transforming digital markets.
At its core, the Vilnius edition is built around a powerful theme:
“iGaming Regulation & Fintech Integration” — a convergence shaping the future of compliance, payments, and digital innovation across the region.
A Defining Moment: Lithuania’s Regulatory Reset
Lithuania is entering a new phase — one where rapid fintech growth meets tightening regulatory expectations.
The agenda reflects this shift directly, capturing a market transitioning from accessibility to accountability, structure, and long-term sustainability. From post-MiCA realities and stricter AML frameworks to evolving iGaming controls, Vilnius becomes the place where these changes are not just discussed — but decoded.
The Agenda: One Day, Two Stages, Zero Filler
The newly released agenda delivers a high-density, decision-maker-focused experience, designed for professionals who need clarity.
Across two parallel tracks — Compliance & Operations Lab and TechXperience Stage — the program cuts straight to the pressure points shaping the industry:
On the Compliance & Operations side:
- Gambling Regulation in the Baltics: Enforcement, Gaps, and Political Pressure
- Post-MiCA Survival: Maintaining Your License Under the 2026 Strictures
- The Bank Pivot: SME Lending, EMI Stability & Financial Resilience
- AML 2.0 & MiCA in Practice: Building Compliance That Actually Works
- The iGaming Ad Ban: Survival Strategies in a “No Marketing” Era
On the TechXperience Stage:
- Next-gen Payments: A2A, Open Banking & Cross-border Infrastructure
- AI in Product & Workforce Transformation
- Blockchain Beyond the Hype: Infrastructure, Tokenization & Settlement
- Esports, Gaming & Digital Communities: Building Next-Gen Ecosystems
- AI in Product, Risk & Compliance: From Buzzwords to Deployment + Agentic AI & Data-Driven Organizations
Going beyond theoretical insight, this Agenda is a working blueprint for navigating what’s already unfolding.
Curated Networking & Meaningful Connections
The refreshing morning break and delicious complimentary lunch, will be followed by an evening social gathering at Jazz Cellar 11 –– offering rum, jazz, conversations, and the kind of networking that somehow becomes more productive after the formal agenda ends.
Spotlight on Speakers: The People Driving the Change
The Vilnius stage brings together a carefully selected lineup of regulators, compliance and fintech leaders, legal experts, and technology innovators — the very people operating at the frontlines of transformation.
These are just some of the speakers to take the stage:
- Rainer Osanik – Head of Fiscal Information and Intelligence Department in the Estonian Ministry of Finance
- Ineta Mačinskienė – CEO of Walletto
- Edgaras Abromavičius – President of the Lithuanian Esports Federation and Head of Esports and Gaming at the Lithuanian Football Federation
- Marija Nudga – Senior Lawyer at Tonybet and Legal Expert in iGaming & Fintech Compliance
- Kristina Vabinskaitė – Financial Markets Policy Department of the Ministry of Finance of Lithuania
- Saulius Racevicius – CEO of Pace App and Board Member of the Fintech Hub LT
From professionals securing MiCA licenses and building risk frameworks, to experts advising on international licensing, AML systems, and cross-border fintech operations, the speaker lineup reflects real, hands-on expertise.
These are the leaders and experts shaping how regulation and innovation coexist in real time.
Zoltan Tündik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated about the Vilnius 2026 Agenda:
“Our dedicated Baltics series this year kickstarts in Vilnius and marks a strategic pivot in how we approach regional excellence. Having spent nearly two decades in the media and news sphere, we’ve learned that general insights are no longer enough; the market now demands jurisdiction-specific precision. Lithuania stands at a fascinating crossroads where fintech maturity meets a rigorous regulatory reset. Our 2026 agenda is designed to decode this convergence, helping leaders navigate the post-MiCA landscape and tighten iGaming frameworks. As we celebrate 10 years of HIPTHER impact, Vilnius represents our commitment to staying ahead of the curve, providing the high-level, boutique environment necessary for the industry’s most critical conversations.”
Boutique by Design — Powerful by Nature
HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius 2026 is intentionally built as a boutique, high-value experience:
- A senior-level audience of decision-makers
- Focused, high-quality networking opportunities
- A premium central Vilnius setting designed for meaningful interaction
The format ensures that conversations don’t get lost in scale — they gain depth, relevance, and momentum.
Join the Conversation in Vilnius
The agenda is now live — and with it, the opportunity to be part of a room where regulation, technology, and strategy converge.
Explore the full agenda & secure your spot: https://hipther.com/events/vilnius/
Because in a year defined by regulatory change, the real advantage belongs to those in the room.
The post HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius 2026 Agenda Sets the Stage for the Region’s Next Era of iGaming Regulation & Fintech Integration appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ReferOn, a top-tier affiliate management platform, has been awarded “Best Affiliate Software 2026” at the prestigious SiGMA South America Awards.
This accolade signifies significant market momentum and product creativity central to ReferOn. Designed as a data-centric platform, it minimizes operational friction and enhances efficiency. This acknowledgment strengthens our path to becoming the top affiliate ecosystem in the industry, as we persist in developing high-performance infrastructure that grows with our partners.
Enhancing Productivity on a Large Scale
ReferOn’s expansion demonstrates that the sector is prepared for a more intelligent method of affiliate management. Successfully managing millions of data points from numerous partners demands a highly agile, data-oriented framework. We consistently enhance our platform to eliminate operational clutter, transforming intricate daily activities into smooth, automated processes that promote genuine efficiency on a large scale.
Alex Bukin, General Manager at ReferOn, commented on the win: “This award is a massive milestone for us, and it belongs entirely to our team. Their genuine passion for building an exceptional platform is what drives our rapid growth every single day. We don’t just want to be another tool in the stack; we want to change how affiliate marketing works for the better; making it simpler, more transparent, and much more powerful. We have ambitious plans on the horizon to further expand our capabilities.”
This acknowledgment at SiGMA South America 2026 further confirms our path as we enter our next growth phase. Our plan for 2026 and the future focuses on growth and innovation. We are proactively broadening our international reach, establishing strategic partnerships, and implementing platform enhancements that cater to the intricate requirements of contemporary affiliate networks.
The post ReferOn Secures “Best Affiliate Software 2026” Title at SiGMA South America Awards appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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