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.
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• 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.
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• 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.”
Affiliate Management
N1 Faces: Daria Maichuk — “Communication as the Key to Strong, Effective Partnerships in Affiliate Marketing”
In iGaming, many things start with a simple “hi” in chat. Messages turn into long conversations, calls follow one after another, yet the goal remains the same — to make traffic profitable. Behind every dialogue is a person with their own background, approach, and communication style — and that’s exactly what defines the success of any partnership.
Partners need to see more than just a messenger account — they need to see a real person they can trust with their traffic and their goals.
N1 Faces is a series of short and lively interviews where N1 Partners introduces the managers behind the affiliate program: their values, their workflows, and their unique management styles.
Today’s spotlight is on Daria Maichuk, Affiliate Manager at N1 Partners, who shares her journey into the industry, her approach to building reliable long-term partnerships, and how she maintains internal balance while working at a fast pace.
Daria Maichuk
Affiliate Manager, N1 Partners
Daria is the kind of manager whose calm mindset, attentiveness, and quick reaction become obvious within the first minutes of communication. She maintains a fast pace, yet always leaves room for a genuine conversation — and that’s what makes working with her both easy and productive.
How did you get into the affiliate industry, and when did you realize it was the right fit for you?
I entered the industry in 2019, starting as an account manager at an advertising network. We worked with push, pops, native — and I had the chance to dive into each vertical.
After four years, I felt the need to focus on one direction and look at the market from another angle — to understand how different traffic sources operate. The role of an affiliate manager offered exactly that: an opportunity to explore the product in depth, build long-term relationships with partners, see campaign launches from the inside, and directly influence performance.
Why N1 Partners? What aligned in terms of values and approach?
I had known about the company for a long time — since 2020. We ran push-traffic tests together, and met often at conferences. I always noticed the team’s energy, openness, and genuine passion for their work. N1 Partners felt like a place where people truly love what they do.
When the opportunity to join the team appeared, I immediately felt that the rhythm and atmosphere matched me perfectly.
What advice would you give yourself in your first month on the job?
Don’t be afraid of the information flow — trust yourself more. At first everything may seem overwhelming, but over time each puzzle piece falls into place, especially once real practice begins.
How do you usually start communication with a new partner? What’s important to understand in the first five minutes?
It’s ideal when both sides have time for a quick call — to meet, exchange expertise, and discuss all details and expectations for upcoming launches. We share the results we aim to see by certain deadlines, while the partner outlines their vision — which GEOs they want to run now and what conversion they expect.
For me, it’s important to understand how open the partner is, how willing they are to share details about their launch plans, and which approaches they intend to use. Our goal is always the same: find terms that are mutually beneficial.
How do you build trust with a partner to ensure productive cooperation?
Personal communication is key, and conferences help immensely. Face-to-face interaction allows you not only to discuss business but also to learn more about the person. Small details can significantly improve future communication and make it more trusting.
Sometimes one meeting is enough for the dialogue to become smoother, faster, and more efficient.
This personal contact becomes a bridge that simplifies any further work.
Are there cases when you need to give tough feedback? How do you do it while preserving trust and a good working relationship?
Yes, it happens — and in such situations I always rely on statistics and concrete data. Numbers speak for themselves, which keeps the conversation transparent, grounded, and efficient. We look at facts together and make decisions based on them.
Constructive feedback with clear recommendations often becomes the most valuable tool for mutual growth.
What personal communication rules help you maintain speed without sacrificing quality?
I follow several principles: be polite, listen carefully, ask the right questions, avoid interrupting, and clarify anything that may cause misunderstanding.
These simple rules help keep both the pace and the quality of communication high.
What energizes you outside of work, and how does it help in working with partners?
Anything connected to movement and social interaction: sports (three workouts a week), yoga, walking my dog, warm moments with family and friends.
Time spent outside work helps me recharge, stay balanced, and maintain my energy levels. Thanks to this, I remain attentive, calm, and ready for constructive dialogue with partners.
If not iGaming, then… who would you be?
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a flight attendant — I loved the atmosphere of travel and the feeling of being close to the sky.
Speaking of my current interests, I would probably choose marketing — maybe performance or targeted advertising. I’ve always been drawn to its dynamics and opportunities for creativity.
Name the Top-3 tools you can’t imagine an affiliate manager working without.
CRM systems and convenient communication channels
They structure daily workflow, simplify interaction, and help keep important details organized.
Monitoring dashboards and analytics tools
They make it possible to evaluate traffic quality, build reports, and make data-driven decisions.
Work devices & messengers
The backbone of daily communication — calls, quick discussions, approvals, and keeping constant contact with partners.
Phone, laptop, Telegram, and MS Teams are my essentials.
Join N1 Partners
To discuss a new launch, choose the right terms for your traffic, or test an offer, you can contact Daria directly.
N1 Partners provides everything partners need to stay ahead and achieve results: high-converting products, regular analytics with optimization recommendations, and full support from the team.
Become a partner: https://n1.partners/
N1 Partners is more than just an affiliate program. The company brings together 14+ casino and betting brands, operates in 10+ Tier-1 GEOs, delivers Reg2Dep rates of up to 70%, and offers competitive conditions for top partners — CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45%.
More than 14,000 partners trust N1 Partners for its transparency, flexibility, and an approach where people and communication quality play a central role.
The post N1 Faces: Daria Maichuk — “Communication as the Key to Strong, Effective Partnerships in Affiliate Marketing” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Global Expansion
ProgressPlay Unveils Dual-Engine Strategy for 2026: Empowering Partners via Standalone and Sweepstakes Solutions
In the fast-evolving world of iGaming, a platform’s future is defined not just by what it offers today, but by its vision for the growth of its partners tomorrow. ProgressPlay has set its sights on a future powered by two of its most dynamic and strategic offerings: Standalone and Sweepstakes verticals.
Alongside its robust and trusted traditional white-label and turnkey casino and sportsbook solutions, the company is placing a defining strategic emphasis on these two pillars. They represent a fundamental expansion of the partner growth playbook, offering distinct, powerful pathways to market share in the coming year.
The Launchpad: ICE Barcelona 2026
The ICE Barcelona event will serve as the official launchpad for this vision. ProgressPlay will be showcasing these innovations at Stand 2D12, where the conversation will pivot from providing a simple service to architecting a future for ambitious operators.
Pillar 1: The Standalone Solution – Autonomy and Legacy
For ambitious brands, the Standalone solution is the ultimate expression of autonomy. It transcends the traditional partnership model by empowering operators to launch their own fully owned entity—a distinct B2C brand—under the protective umbrella and robust infrastructure of ProgressPlay’s proprietary technology.
This offering is engineered for those who demand:
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Complete Sovereignty: Full control over player data and commercial strategy.
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Tailored Customer Journeys: A bespoke experience that goes beyond a branded front-end.
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Asset Building: The ability to build a lasting legacy asset powered by a backend they can trust implicitly.
“The Standalone is for the visionary who demands full ownership to build a lasting legacy asset,” said Marina Nahhas, Head of B2B Sales and Marketing at ProgressPlay. “At ICE, we’re moving the conversation from what we provide to what our partners can achieve.”
Pillar 2: The Sweepstakes Solution – Capturing the Next Wave
Running in parallel is the dedicated Sweepstakes solution. This vertical addresses one of the most complex growth frontiers in modern gaming markets, providing a compliant framework to bridge the gap between social gaming engagement and regulated real-money play.
This focus on Sweepstakes demonstrates a deep understanding of modern player acquisition:
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Low-Friction Entry: Build community and brand affinity in evolving markets.
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High Engagement: Utilize specialized mechanics and an extensive content library.
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Strategic Expansion: Ideal for capturing new demographics and testing markets with lower barriers to entry.
A Versatile Engine for Every Ambition
The power of this dual-strategy lies in its complementary nature. While Standalone caters to partners seeing iGaming as a core, owned vertical, the Sweepstakes vertical offers a strategic entry play for growth-focused strategists.
Itai Lowenstein, CEO of ProgressPlay, explained the precision required for success in 2026:
“The monolithic market is gone. Success in 2026 requires precision. One partner may need the autonomy of a Standalone, while another sees a goldmine in the scalable, community-driven model of Sweepstakes. Our role is to be the versatile, reliable engine for both journeys.”
By strengthening these two pillars alongside their proven turnkey and white-label offerings, ProgressPlay is building the comprehensive toolkit that will define the next generation of iGaming leaders.
Meet ProgressPlay at ICE 2026
Are you ready to choose your own strategic adventure for 2026? Join the ProgressPlay team in Barcelona to discuss how these solutions can drive your growth.
Book a meeting with ProgressPlay at ICE 2026 or visit them at Stand 2D12 to see the future of platform partnership in action.
The post ProgressPlay Unveils Dual-Engine Strategy for 2026: Empowering Partners via Standalone and Sweepstakes Solutions appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI in iGaming
BetConstruct AI Hosting “Harmony Choice 2026”: The Strategic Prelude to ICE Barcelona
BetConstruct AI has officially announced its upcoming flagship gathering, Harmony Choice 2026. Set to take place on January 17, 2026, in Barcelona, the exclusive event serves as the strategic opening of the iGaming calendar, occurring just two days before the industry converges for ICE Barcelona.
Designed as a high-level networking and insight-sharing meetup, Harmony Choice provides a vital space for reflection and connection before the intensity of the world’s largest iGaming exhibition begins.
Setting the Strategic Tone for 2026
The event is themed around BetConstruct AI’s 2026 core philosophy: “The Choice.” This concept emphasizes that in a rapidly evolving market, the decisions made today—regarding technology, partners, and direction—define long-term success.
Event Highlights:
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Exclusive Networking: Gathering leading representatives and decision-makers from the global iGaming sector.
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Strategic Insight: A program dedicated to early clarity, aligning on industry trends, and discussing the future of AI-driven gaming solutions.
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Iconic Venue: The evening will be hosted in one of Barcelona’s most prestigious and “inspiring” settings, offering a sophisticated environment for meaningful interaction.
Event Summary: Harmony Choice 2026
| Feature | Details |
| Date | January 17, 2026 |
| Location | Barcelona, Spain (Iconic Venue) |
| Purpose | High-level networking and strategic alignment |
| Philosophy | “The Choice” (Direction, Decision-making, Intention) |
| Preceded By | ICE Barcelona (Jan 19–21, 2026) |
“Harmony Choice creates a vital space for reflection and connection just days before the industry converges for ICE Barcelona,” a spokesperson for BetConstruct AI stated. “We invite industry leaders to join us for an evening of early clarity and thoughtful exchange.”
The Road to Stand 4A20
Harmony Choice is the first step in a major Barcelona circuit for the provider. Following the gathering, the company will showcase its full ecosystem at ICE Barcelona (Stand 4A20), where it plans to highlight:
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“The Choice to Grow” Program: A unique 12-month commercial offer linking performance to real cost advantages.
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AI-Infused Products: Updates to CRM AI, Umbrella AI, and their proprietary AI Game Recommendation System.
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Special Bets Module: A new dynamic engagement tool giving operators unprecedented freedom in market creation.
The post BetConstruct AI Hosting “Harmony Choice 2026”: The Strategic Prelude to ICE Barcelona appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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Daria Maichuk