Press Releases
Finland: Prevalence of at-risk gambling has decreased – gambling problems still as common as before
According to a study conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the prevalence of “at-risk gambling” which causes individual mild harms has decreased in Finland. The 2019 study indicated that 11 per cent of the Finnish population had engaged in at-risk level gambling in the past 12 months. In the previous study, conducted in 2015, the proportion of at-risk gamblers was 15 per cent. The prevalence of at-risk gambling has decreased in both men and women.
At-risk gambling refers to gambling which causes some individual harms and often precedes the development of problem gambling. According to the 2019 study, three per cent of the Finnish population, meaning approximately 112,000 people, had experienced gambling problems. The proportion of such individuals has remained the same since 2007.
According to the study, 1.4 per cent of Finns – around 52,000 people – suffered in 2019 from probable pathological gambling, which is the most severe form of problematic gambling.
In contrast, the study indicates that gambling without indentified problems has increased. The number of gamblers remained the same between 2015 and 2019, but changes took place in the frequency of gambling: the proportion of Finns who gambled less often than once a month increased, whereas the proportion of those gambling more often than this decreased.
The past-year prevalence of gambling at least one game type among the respondents was 78.4 per cent.
Online gambling has become more common
In 2019, one third of the respondents (36.3 %) had been gambling online. The proportion of online gamblers increased by 12.7 percentage points from 2015.
At the same time, the proportion of those who gambled games offered by foreign operators increased from 3.3 to 5.4 per cent. Almost all gamblers (98.1 %) who had gambled games offered by an operator other than Veikkaus Oy had also gambled Veikkaus Oy’s games.
In 2019, 2.5 per cent of the gamblers accounted for one half of the total gambling expenditure. This means that of the 2,917,000 people living in mainland Finland who participated in gambling in 2019, 72,000 people spent one half of the total expenditure of that year. Veikkaus Oy’s share of the online gambling expenditure was 83.6 per cent, while the other game operators accounted for 16.4 per cent.
“Only a relatively few people gamble games offered by operators other than Veikkaus, when compared to the number of those gambling Veikkaus games. Then again, there is big money involved in foreign online games. Therefore, it is now important to monitor how the closing of the Finnish slot machines due to the coronavirus epidemic affects online gambling”, says THL Senior Researcher Anne Salonen.
One in five Finns has someone with problematic gambling in their immediate social circle
Just over one fifth (21.1 %) of the respondents reported that at least one person in their immediate social circle had demonstrated problematic gambling. This means that around 790,000 persons are affected by someone close to them having a gambling problem, and this proportion has increased.
According to Salonen, the result may also indicate that Finns have become more aware of gambling problems, and the issue is now discussed more openly and boldly than before.
Since 2007, THL has been monitoring gambling, the prevalence of gambling problems, and the attitudes and opinions related to gambling by carrying out a population survey every four years among Finnish people aged from 15 to 74. In 2019, the study was participated in by 3994 Finns. Statistics Finland conducted the interviews over the telephone. The study was carried out by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, and commissioned and financed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (section 52 of the Lotteries Act).
THL publishes the Finnish Gambling 2019 results in stages; the first step now is to publish the main results concerning gambling and gambling problems. The results concerning the attitudes and opinions related to gambling will be published later this year.
Source: thl.fi
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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