Press Releases
GambleAware publishes new research
• Exposure to gambling advertising, including on social media, can have an impact on attitudes towards the prevalence and acceptability of gambling, and in turn the likelihood that a child, young person or vulnerable adult will gamble in the future.
• The attitudes and gambling behaviours of peers and parents are critical in shaping gambling activity; they were significantly associated with both a young person’s exposure to brands and advertising, as well as with current gambling amongst those aged 11-24.
• In the report, researchers identified a number of recommendations, including the need for clearer safer gambling messages and campaigns; a requirement to improve education initiatives; a reduction in the appeal of gambling adverts to children and improved use of advertising technology, to minimise the exposure of such content to children, young people and vulnerable adults.
GambleAware has published the findings of the research commissioned to examine the impact of gambling advertising and marketing on children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The programme of research was conducted by two separate consortia, led by Ipsos MORI and the Institute for Social Marketing at the University of Stirling. The synthesis of findings across the research was written by Ipsos MORI. The research shows that regular exposure to gambling promotions can change perceptions and associations of gambling over time for children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Among those who don’t currently gamble, exposure to gambling promotions was one of the most significant associations with whether someone was likely to gamble in the future. However, the attitudes of peers and carers was also critical when looking at whether an 11-24-year-old was a current gambler. The report reveals that if a child or young person has a close friend or carer who gambles, that individual is six times more likely to be a current gambler, than those without such a connection.
However, when specifically looking at exposure, researchers observed that almost all (96%) of the 11-24-year-old participants had been exposed to gambling marketing messages in the last month. Furthermore, participants in the qualitative research were shown snippets of gambling logos and when asked to identify them, correctly identified an average of eight out of ten.
By using an age classifier on Twitter, researchers also found clear evidence of children following and engaging with gambling related accounts. It was estimated that 41,000 UK followers of gambling-related accounts on the social media platform were likely to be under 16 and 6% of followers of ‘traditional’ gambling accounts were found to be children, a figure that increased to 17% when looking specifically at eSport gambling accounts.
Researchers concluded that the rise of new forms of gambling marketing through social media have increased the ways in which children, young people and vulnerable adults can engage with gambling brands, which in turn helps to establish brand loyalty. One of the recommendations from the report was that more could be done to work closely with social media platforms to improve age screening tools, before individuals are allowed to follow accounts that promote gambling.
However, when examining where children and young people came across gambling in the past month, TV remained the most common source of exposure:
• More than four out of five (85%) aged 11-24 reported seeing gambling advertising on TV (including national lottery adverts).
• 70% of children and young people noticed gambling adverts in betting shops on the high street, window displays as well as promotions on shop floors and near tills. However, those aged between 18 to 24 had higher exposure to gambling during sports events, on smartphone apps, through merchandise, gambling websites, emails and from word of mouth.
2
• Two-thirds (66%) reported seeing gambling promotions on their social media channels, that were most likely to be in the form of video adverts while watching clips on YouTube or ads appearing while scrolling through Facebook feeds.
Researchers identified a risk that some advertising may play on the susceptibilities of children, young people and vulnerable adults, particularly when their understanding of the risk of gambling may be poor. The appeal of a gambling promotions, for example ones that imply limited risk, or inflated suggestions of winning, may not always result in an immediate bet. Instead, these adverts were successful in eliciting a range of emotional and cognitive responses from children, young people and vulnerable adults. This therefore was likely to shape their attitudes and the likelihood as to whether or not they would consider gambling in the future.
Responding to the research findings, Marc Etches, CEO of GambleAware, has said: “Gambling is an adult activity, but this new research conclusively shows that it has become part of everyday life for children and young people. This constant exposure to it through advertising and marketing, or via close friends and family, has the potential for serious long-term implications for children and young people. The exposure to gambling on social media suggests there is a clear need for social media companies to improve age screening tools and for gambling companies to make full use of existing ones, to help protect children from potential harmful exposure to gambling. We must always be mindful that gambling is a public health issue and it can have serious implications for people’s mental health. This report is an apt reminder for us to ensure that the next generation is made aware of the risks of gambling as well as the help and support that is available via the National Gambling Treatment Service.”
Researchers at Ipsos MORI identified a number of recommendations to help protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from experiencing gambling harms. These included:
• The need for clearer safer gambling messages and campaigns, to increase the awareness of risk of gambling to children and young people.
• Improving safer gambling education initiatives, that extend to parents, as well as children and young people.
3
• Reducing the appeal of gambling advertising, by addressing specific features that may appeal to children, for example the use of celebrities or humour, while also avoiding references to confusing financial incentives.
• Improved use of advertising technology and age screening tools, to minimise the exposure of such content to children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Steve Ginnis, Research Director at Ipsos MORI, has said: “The research points to the ubiquitous nature of gambling advertising, beyond sports and beyond television; and further demonstrates that the impact of exposure goes beyond traditional selling techniques that elicit an immediate response. The evidence captured in this research suggests that there is value in taking further action to reduce exposure and appeal of gambling advertising, which in turn is likely to help mitigate against the plausible risk of gambling-related harms among children, young people and vulnerable adults. Our recommendations are intended to help stimulate collective discussion and action.”
Gaming Awards
ELA Games Secures ‘Game of the Year’ Nomination for Joker Winpot at SBC Awards Americas
As a testament to the studio’s commitment to pushing casino entertainment forward, its hit title is up for a major accolade at the upcoming regional ceremony.
ELA Games is pleased to announce that its popular release, Joker Winpot, has been shortlisted for the ‘Game of the Year’ category at the 2026 SBC Awards Americas. This nomination marks an important step forward for the studio, proving that players are actively seeking the kind of distinct, interactive experiences the team loves to build.
A consistent performer in the studio’s portfolio, Joker Winpot blends a dark, character-driven aesthetic with an accessible 1×1 grid format. The main draw of the game is its proprietary Winpot mechanic, a progression-based feature that places decision-making directly into the hands of the player.
As rewards accumulate within the Winpot, players face the tension of either cashing out their current winnings or continuing to spin for larger payouts. This unique approach transforms a conventional slot format into a choice-based experience, earning widespread praise from players and fueling the title’s commercial success.
The winners will be revealed during the official SBC Awards Americas ceremony on June 10, 2026. This year, the event will take place at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bringing together approximately 600 industry professionals.
Set alongside the larger SBC Summit Americas running from June 9 – June 11, the evening will serve as a central gathering for the industry with opportunities to network and celebrate all the advancements of the past year.
The post ELA Games Secures ‘Game of the Year’ Nomination for Joker Winpot at SBC Awards Americas appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
BETBY, the leading Tier 1 sportsbook provider, has announced the launch of its comprehensive World Cup offering, led by one of the most distinctive advantages currently available to operators: odds on the entire World Cup bracket already available, before the official draw takes place.
Released exactly one month before the opening match, BETBY’s World Cup package gives operators a crucial head start, enabling them to activate campaigns and capture player interest well ahead of kickoff.
The offering also provides operators with an additional marketing tool to drive engagement and maximise player interaction in the lead-up to the tournament.
By providing a fully pre-priced tournament structure across all potential matchups, BETBY allows operators to offer betting markets from the group stage through to the final from day one.
This early availability extends the betting lifecycle significantly, giving players the opportunity to engage with the full tournament narrative in advance and driving sustained activity throughout the build-up to kickoff.
To further enhance engagement during the tournament, BETBY is introducing microbetting for the World Cup, enabling wagers on events occurring within one-minute intervals throughout each match. With at least 90 intervals per game, players can bet on outcomes such as throw-ins, fouls, corners, offsides, goals, and goal kicks.
This real-time, high-frequency betting format transforms the viewing experience into a continuous stream of opportunities, keeping users actively engaged from kickoff to the final whistle while increasing interaction levels, boosting ARPU, and strengthening retention.
Complementing this is BETBY’s eWorld Cup, an esports experience that replicates all tournament matches in a short-format, high-frequency environment.
With matches lasting just a few minutes, the e-sim ensures continuous football action, helping operators fill off-peak gaps and overcome time zone challenges while maintaining consistent user engagement.
The product is fully customizable, allowing operators to tailor visuals, teams, match configurations, and margins to align with their brand and commercial strategy.
BETBY’s World Cup offering is further supported by a dedicated tournament hub, designed to centralize all content, data, and betting opportunities within a single interface.
Users can explore group stages and full bracket progression, access event pages, view promotions and line banners, watch video content, and analyze detailed statistics, creating a more immersive and informed betting experience.
The package includes boosted odds across all World Cup events, daily featured offers, and a wide selection of prebuilt “hot” combos with enhanced pricing, giving operators the flexibility to engage a broad player base, from high-value users to casual bettors.
Operators also benefit from one of the most extensive market coverages in the industry, spanning main markets, outrights, props, and special bets, supported by a trading team ready to accommodate bespoke requests.
By combining early market availability, real-time engagement tools, continuous betting opportunities, and deep trading flexibility, BETBY delivers a complete solution designed to maximize operator performance throughout the World Cup.
“As the biggest sports event worldwide, the World Cup is as much about preparation as it is about execution,” said Chris Nikolopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer at BETBY.
“By being the first B2B sportsbook provider to make the full tournament bracket available ahead of the draw, we’re giving operators a clear advantage: the ability to start engaging players earlier and build momentum well before kickoff.
At the same time, other features like microbetting and our eWorld Cup ensure that engagement stays high throughout every stage of the competition.
We’re delivering a complete content portfolio that allows our partners to maximize both player activity and revenue across the entire World Cup cycle.”
BETBY
BETBY is a leading B2B provider of top-tier sports betting services, renowned for its groundbreaking technology and dedication to excellence. BETBY’s team of industry veterans tap into their knowledge and expertise to deliver a premium, adaptable, and scalable sportsbook platform tailored to meet the varied demands of operators across the globe.
From dynamic in-play betting options to robust risk management tools and ground-breaking AI tools, BETBY is committed to propelling the success of its partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of online sports betting.
For more information visit betby.com
The post BETBY launches fully priced World Cup bracket as part of tournament offering appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
BetMGM Brasil has appointed Fernando Vieira de Mello, a journalist with more than 30 years of experience across media, journalism and entertainment, to strengthen its government relations strategy in the country.
The hire comes as Brazil’s regulated betting market enters a phase of consolidation and maturity.
Vieira de Mello is widely recognised in Brazil’s communications market for his career at Grupo Globo, TV Bandeirantes, Rádio Bandeirantes and TV Cultura, where he held roles as reporter, anchor, journalism director and institutional relations executive.
Most recently, he served as director of institutional relations for São Paulo at Grupo Globo, building dialogue with market segments and regulatory bodies across the Brazilian ecosystem.
“Fernando brings a rare combination of experience in communications, management, institutional relations and a deep understanding of Brazil’s media ecosystem,” said Almir Ribeiro, CEO of BetMGM Brasil.
“His arrival further strengthens our long-term vision for the country.”
Vieira de Mello pointed to the scale of the opportunity ahead.
“Few sectors in Brazil will go through such an intense process of transformation and reputation building over the coming years as online betting.
BetMGM enters this moment with very solid attributes: an operation backed by two global groups of enormous credibility, exclusive focus on regulated markets and a clear long-term vision for Brazil.”
The appointment reflects BetMGM’s broader effort to deepen engagement with strategic stakeholders and advance its governance, responsibility and sustainable market-building agenda in Brazil.
BetMGM Brasil
Launched in January 2025, BetMGM Brasil is a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Grupo Globo. Headquartered in São Paulo, the company was among the first 14 operators to receive definitive authorisation to operate in Brazil’s regulated betting market.
Beyond Brazil, BetMGM offers online gaming and betting platforms in 29 regulated US states and across Europe.
The post BetMGM Brazil hires veteran journalist to lead government relations appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
Central Europe7 days agoTipico Casino Enters into Partnership with Holstein Kiel
-
Adjarabet7 days ago
Octoplay launches in Georgia with Adjarabet
-
bet3656 days ago
Evoplay adds bet365 to its Brazil operator lineup
-
Latest News7 days ago
PRAGMATIC PLAY SETS UP SHOP WITH MR NULL’S WICKED WARES
-
Canada6 days ago
Playson expands North American reach with Mohegan Digital partnership
-
Armenian Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs7 days ago
Armenia to Implement Strictest Gambling Regulations to Combat a Massive Surge in Addiction
-
game launches6 days ago
Spinomenal releases 3 Magical Genies slot with Hold & Hit bonus
-
Canada5 days ago
Analysis flags World Cup 2026 stress test for Canada’s patchwork betting rules
