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Slovakia Publishes Groundbreaking Report on Illegal Online Gambling
The Institute for Gambling Regulation in Slovakia (IPRHH) has published the country’s first comprehensive report dedicated to illegal gambling. The study, titled The Black Book of Illegal Gambling, was officially presented at Bratislava’s Einpark and is now publicly available online.
The landmark publication explores the structure, mechanisms, and social impact of illegal gambling operations in Slovakia, with a particular focus on unlicensed online platforms. According to the report, these operators bypass national regulations, exploit vulnerable groups, and deprive the state of hundreds of millions of euros annually in lost tax revenue.
Key Findings From the Report
The study is based on a nationally representative survey conducted by IPRHH in cooperation with the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Among the most striking results:
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23.7% of players – nearly 296,000 Slovaks – admitted to gambling on unlicensed platforms.
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24.1% of players could not determine whether the sites they used were legal.
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Younger users and those with lower levels of education were the most likely to engage in illegal gambling.
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13.1% of users admitted to gambling illegally because they were listed in the national Register of Excluded Persons (RVO), which should block them from licensed gambling.
“These sites ignore every safeguard that licensed operators must follow,” explained Dávid Lenčéš, Executive Director of IPRHH. “There are no limits, no identity checks, and no protection against addiction. And if you lose money, you have no legal recourse.”
Why Players Choose Illegal Platforms
Survey respondents highlighted several reasons for using unlicensed gambling sites:
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Higher bonuses (32.5%)
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Better odds (29.5%)
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Easier registration (29.1%)
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Wider game selection (27.4%)
Shockingly, only 42.2% of players actively check for a Slovak license, while 43.2% cannot distinguish between legal and illegal gambling advertisements.
Policy Recommendations
The IPRHH warns that illegal gambling costs Slovakia hundreds of millions of euros each year, money that could otherwise support healthcare, education, and addiction prevention programs.
The institute recommends a multi-pronged strategy to combat illegal operators, including:
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More effective blocking of unlicensed websites
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Stronger cooperation with banks and payment providers to block transactions
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A national public awareness campaign
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Stable conditions for licensed operators who contribute to the economy
Lenčéš also cautioned against excessive taxation of legal operators:
“If governments dramatically increase taxes on licensed operators, they risk pushing players further into the illegal market. Regulation should protect the public, not unintentionally support criminal ecosystems.”
About IPRHH
The Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRHH) was founded in 2024 to promote effective, transparent, and responsible gambling regulation in Slovakia. Led by Executive Director Dávid Lenčéš, former Chairman of the Slovak Gambling Regulatory Authority, the organization works to address modern challenges such as digitalization, illegal gambling, and player protection.
The full report, The Black Book of Illegal Gambling, is available for free download (in Slovak) here: Download Report. An English version is currently in preparation.
For international inquiries or interview requests, contact: [email protected]
The post Slovakia Publishes Groundbreaking Report on Illegal Online Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Cevro
Golden Whale and Cevro team up to advance AI-driven player interaction
Golden Whale, a provider of machine learning-driven optimisation and decision intelligence for the iGaming industry, has partnered with Cevro, an AI-powered platform designed to automate and enhance player interactions across support and operational workflows.
At the core of the integration is Golden Whale’s Full Model Control framework, which uses ML models to continuously analyse live player behavioural data, enabling more precise decisioning across engagement and incentives, driven by deeper insight into player value, churn probability and behavioural intent. These decisions can then be actioned through Cevro’s AI agents, allowing operators to guide and control player-facing responses with greater precision across multiple channels, including chat, email and helpdesk, with voice capabilities set to follow.
Cevro’s platform supports a wide range of player-facing processes, including bonus queries, KYC checks, payment-related communications and responsible gaming workflows. By introducing decision intelligence into these touchpoints, operators can move beyond reactive support models and toward more proactive, context-aware engagement, where responses are informed by real-time signals around player value and behaviour.
Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO at Golden Whale, said: “Operators are managing an increasing number of player communications across different touchpoints, and many of those processes are still handled in a reactive or manual way. By working with Cevro’s AI agents, we can connect our decision intelligence directly into these communication workflows, enabling operators to respond more precisely and consistently, while also reducing the complexity of managing these interactions at scale.”
Chaim Heber, CEO at Cevro, added: “Our focus is on helping operators automate and scale player interactions without losing quality or control. By integrating Golden Whale’s decision intelligence, we can bring a new level of precision into how our AI agents operate, using deeper signals around player value, churn risk and behaviour to guide responses. This not only improves resolution and efficiency but also allows operators to deliver more meaningful interactions that support retention and long-term player value.”
The post Golden Whale and Cevro team up to advance AI-driven player interaction appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
bet365
Evoplay strengthens Brazil footprint with bet365 deal
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has strengthen its presence in Brazil through a new partnership with leading global operator bet365, marking another step in its growth across regulated Latin American markets.
The agreement sees a selection of top-performing Evoplay titles integrated onto bet365’s Brazilian platform, initially starting with standout releases such as Hot Triple Sevens and Temple of Thunder II Bonus Buy.
The partnership enables Evoplay to bring its diverse portfolio of high-performance content to one of the most promising emerging regulated markets, at a time when Brazil’s evolving landscape continues to create new opportunities for operators and suppliers alike.
By collaborating with bet365, a globally recognised brand known for its extensive reach and strong local engagement, Evoplay reinforces its commitment to delivering tailored content that resonates with regional player preferences.
Alex Malchenko, Head of Sales at Evoplay, said: “Partnering with bet365 represents an important milestone for Evoplay as we continue to expand our Latin American presence and build our network of global operator brands. Brazil is a market with huge potential, and we’re excited to bring a selection of our best-performing titles to its players.
“Our focus remains on supporting operators with content that not only meets regulatory standards but also delivers strong player engagement, and this collaboration is a testament to that approach.”
Spokesperson at bet365, added: “We are pleased to partner with Evoplay as we continue to enhance our offering in Brazil.
Their portfolio of localised games aligns well with our commitment to provide high-quality gaming experiences to our customers.
“We look forward to rolling out additional titles in the near future as we strengthen our collaboration with the supplier in this key market.”
Evoplay
Evoplay is a leading iGaming developer with a portfolio of 250+ slots, table, crash, and instant games.
It uses innovative gameplay and cutting-edge design to elevate user experience and bring new audiences to the world of iGaming.
The company’s commitment to innovation and revolutionary products was recognised by the most prestigious industry awards.
bet365
At bet365, it’s always extraordinary!
bet365 Casino is the home of gaming excitement, offering an extensive range of slots to choose from, including multi-layered jackpots, classic fruit games, and the latest innovative titles. Plus, with popular Live Games like Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat, there’s always something for every player.
bet365 is committed to Safer Gambling. We promote gambling as an enjoyable leisure activity, and we believe that gambling can only remain this way if you stay in control and gamble responsibly. However, we know that for some people gambling can stop being a harmless leisure activity and become a problem.
bet365 has a range of useful tools to help customers stay in control of their gambling that can be found at https://responsiblegambling.bet365.bet.br/br
The post Evoplay strengthens Brazil footprint with bet365 deal appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Advisiments
WE names Valentina Ursini Group Account Director for IBJR and key clients
Brazilian agency We has hired Valentina Ursini as Group Account Director, where she will lead business strategy and client relationships for accounts including EMS, Novibet, Jovi and IBJR (Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming).
Ursini brings experience from Leo Burnett, Ogilvy and TBWA, where she led global and local accounts for brands including Visa, Procter & Gamble, Motorola, Gatorade, Coty, Kimberly-Clark and Friboi.
“We has something that is rare today: genuine proximity to the client’s business and a very clear ambition for shared growth,” Ursini said.
“I am joining a team that already knows these clients deeply, and I bring a fresh perspective on expansion opportunities, efficiency and brand building.
It is about developing the business in a consistent and relevant way.”
Maurício Almeida, managing director at We, said Ursini’s appointment raises the standard of service for the agency’s strategic accounts.
“She combines expertise, consistency and a very pragmatic business vision, which is exactly what we look for in our model. She understands that client relationships only make sense when they translate into results.”
* The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming is a private industry association representing licensed betting operators in Brazil. Its primary role is to support the development of a regulated, transparent and sustainable gambling market in the country.
The organization focuses on promoting responsible gaming practices, contributing to public policy discussions, and working alongside regulators to ensure compliance with Brazil’s evolving legal framework for betting.
It also advocates for consumer protection, market integrity and the reduction of illegal gambling activities.
In the context of the article, the IBJR appears as a relevant institutional player within the Brazilian iGaming ecosystem, reflecting the growing importance of industry representation as regulation advances.
The post WE names Valentina Ursini Group Account Director for IBJR and key clients appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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