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.”
CasinoCanada.com has entered into a partnership with Slota Casino aimed at increasing the platform’s visibility and directing traffic from non-regulated Canadian markets.
As part of the collaboration, CasinoCanada will prepare and publish informational materials describing Slota Casino’s features and game offerings.
The partnership includes ongoing content development, efforts to increase platform visibility and user acquisition activities across CasinoCanada’s media channels.
CasinoCanada is an online casino guide focused on the Canadian market, operated by SEOBROTHERS.
Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR at SEOBROTHERS, commented:
“We focus on delivering accurate information about the Slota Casino platform while maintaining consistent content updates and supporting steady traffic growth across our channels.”
Slota Casino was launched in 2024 by GBL Solutions N.V. under a Curacao licence.
Slota Casino is operated by the Slota Partners affiliate program.
The platform provides access to more than 12,000 online casino games from 130 providers, including Play’n GO, Endorphina and Games Global.
A representative of Slota Casino said:
“We’re genuinely excited about teaming up with CasinoCanada. This is a major step forward for us.
The Canadian market has enormous potential, and partnering with a portal as respected as CasinoCanada gives our brand the visibility and credibility it deserves in this region.”
The post CasinoCanada announces partnership with Slota Casino appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Brazil
Esportes da Sorte has renewed its official sponsorship of the Parintins Folklore Festival for the 2026 edition
Esportes da Sorte has renewed its official sponsorship of the Parintins Folklore Festival for the 2026 edition.
The brand reinforces its strategy of promoting Brazilian culture after fostering an exchange between the North and Northeast regions during the Pernambuco Carnival.
Esportes da Sorte announced the renewal of its official sponsorship of the Parintins Folklore Festival for the 2026 edition.
Scheduled to take place from June 26 to 28, the event is part of the brand’s strategy to strengthen Brazilian cultural expressions and support the regional creative economy.
The continuation of the partnership follows a cycle of cultural integration promoted by the company over the past year.
In 2026, the group brought artistic references from the Parintins Festival to Recife Carnival by inviting Amazonian visual artist Iran Martins to design the brand’s parade float at Galo da Madrugada.
The project incorporated movement mechanisms and aesthetic elements inspired by the “bumbás” universe into the visual language of frevo.
Beyond brand exposure, the investment in Parintins is part of a positioning strategy focused on valuing Brazilian cultural identity and strengthening initiatives with strong regional ties.
“Our presence in Parintins goes beyond a branding action. It is a commitment to valuing Brazilian culture and the professionals who drive this creative ecosystem.
By bringing together references from the Parintins Festival and Recife Carnival, we show how different cultural expressions in the country can dialogue and create new connections.
We want to continue expanding this impact and contribute to keeping the bumbá tradition strong,” said Marcela Campos, Vice President of Grupo Esportes Gaming Brasil, owner of Esportes da Sorte.
Economic growth and new Bumbódromo
The Parintins Festival 2026 is expected to generate around R$193.2 million, a projected 5% increase compared to the previous edition. The forecast also includes approximately 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, as well as the arrival of around 126,000 tourists.
The audience will be welcomed in the new Bumbódromo, a structure with capacity for up to 25,000 people per day, which will become part of the festival’s expansion in the coming years.
Esportes da Sorte
Esportes da Sorte is one of Brazil’s leading sports betting platforms, with 100% national operations and a license granted by the Ministry of Finance (SPA/MF) to Esportes Gaming Brasil — the group that also owns the Onabet and Lottu brands.
The company is part of a Great Place to Work certified group and generates around 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. Its pillars include innovation, commitment to responsible gaming, and support for sector regulation.
It maintains strategic partnerships with institutions such as ANJL, IBIA, Sportradar, EBAC, and IAA, strengthening control practices, problem gambling prevention, and user protection.
In addition to sports betting, Esportes da Sorte invests consistently in sports, culture, and social projects. It is a master sponsor of clubs such as Corinthians, Ceará, Ferroviária, and Náutico, as well as supporting major cultural events like Galo da Madrugada, Carnival celebrations in cities such as Recife, Olinda, Salvador, Maceió, Natal, Caicó, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, and the Parintins Festival. The brand also expands its digital presence through creative campaigns and influencer partnerships, strengthening its connection with audiences across online platforms.
The post Esportes da Sorte has renewed its official sponsorship of the Parintins Folklore Festival for the 2026 edition appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
AGS, a leading supplier renowned for delivering high-performing slots, table games, and interactive products and services to the global gaming industry, announced three key appointments that will strengthen AGS’ commercial slot sales strategy, operations and enterprise client development.
John McColl has been appointed Senior Director of Slot Sales Strategy.
Mark Morton will serve as Vice President of Slot Sales Strategy, and Loren Rosenberg has taken on the role as Vice President of Commercial Slot Strategy & Operations.
“These hires represent a significant step forward in building a best-in-class commercial organization,” said Jackosn Floyd, Vice President of Slots at AGS.
“John, Mark, and Loren have each demonstrated an ability to translate strategy into measurable results, and their leadership will help the team sharpen our focus on performance, efficiency, and delivering greater value across our slot portfolio.”
John McColl will lead sales strategy and commercial opportunity, focusing on expanding market share and driving revenue growth, while building a data-driven approach to cover AGS’ total addressable market (TAM) to identify and capture new opportunities.
With a career spanning more than 30 years across casino operations, gaming technology, entrepreneurship, and enterprise B2B sales in the North American gaming industry .
Including roles at Gaming Analytics, Scientific Games / Bally Technologies, and Harrah’s Entertainment – McColl brings extensive experience leading national sales strategy and enterprise client development across commercial and tribal casino operators.
He was working closely as well with operators to optimize slot floor performance and product placement.
Mark Morton brings his three decades of experience across the global gaming industry to his new role of Vice President of Sales Strategy at AGS.
His track record of driving revenue growth, structuring high-value partnerships, and building scalable, performance-driven sales organizations will enhance AGS’ commitment to evolving its commercial model to better align with operator needs and accelerate long-term value creation.
Morton will focus on customer synergy and strategic alignment, streamlining the internal sales process, and expanding enterprise sales opportunities.
Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President at Marker Trax and Koin, where he led commercial strategy, pricing, and enterprise contract execution with leading operators including Boyd Gaming, Golden Entertainment, and Penn National.
Loren Rosenberg will serve as Vice President of Commercial Strategy & Operations at AGS, where he will be focused on maximizing the value of the company’s product portfolio and supporting its continued commercial expansion.
Rosenberg brings nearly 20 years of experience across the gaming industry, spanning product, commercial, and enterprise strategy roles.
His background includes work across land-based, digital, and social gaming, with a focus on bringing teams together, aligning clear priorities, and turning strategy into results.
Before joining AGS, Loren held senior leadership roles at Aristocrat and Everi, where he led global product and development teams while overseeing portfolio strategy through periods of meaningful growth and transformation.
He began his career at WMS, later acquired by Scientific Games, and held a range of roles across operations, strategy, and commercial functions.
For more information, visit newsroom.playags.com.
The post AGS grows slot sales strategy team with the addition of three veteran gaming executives appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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