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New research reveals high intent to bet, major entry of first time bettors and rising demand for personalised, trusted content ahead of the biggest World Cup in history.

Spotlight has released its World Cup 2026 Betting Outlook, presenting new insights into how fans will watch, bet and engage across the expanded 48 team, 39 day tournament.

Key findings show major shifts in fan betting behaviour:

• 66% of planned bettors will be betting on the World Cup for the first time
• In the US this rises sharply to 90%, signalling significant entry of new bettors into the market
• 70% plan to place a bet, but only 7% feel confident doing so
• 44% say late night and early morning kick off times, particularly for UK fans, will push them toward more pre match betting
• 96% want personalised betting content tailored to their interests
• Social media is the least trusted source of betting insight

The research also highlights strong enthusiasm for the expanded tournament format itself, with 93% feeling positive about the 48 team structure and 86% planning to stay engaged throughout the full 39 day schedule.

Mark Langdon, Group Sports Director at Spotlight Sports Group, said: “The data shows that the 2026 World Cup will bring a huge wave of new and inexperienced bettors into the market. Operators that deliver simple onboarding, strong pre-match insight and personalised content will be best positioned to capture and engage this audience.”

The findings will be discussed in detail during Spotlight Sports Group’s SBC webinar Engaging Audiences During the 2026 World Cup on Thursday 4 December at 2pm GMT.

About the research

The survey gathered responses from 600 sports fans across the UK, US and LATAM.

The post SPOTLIGHT SPORTS GROUP RELEASES WORLD CUP 2026 BETTING OUTLOOK AS INDUSTRY PREPARES FOR SURGE IN FIRST TIME BETTORS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Tornado Feature and dynamic Thunder Bonus Feature enrich both Main Game and Bonus play

Playson, the accomplished digital entertainment supplier, has unleashed a whirlwind of excitement with Tornado Power: Hold and Win, introducing a new Tornado Feature and enhanced payouts.

The 3×4, 10 payline slot features immersive visuals with old-school charm, as the untamed gameplay is further enhanced by a new Tornado Feature, which can be randomly triggered whenever a Thunder Bonus Symbol lands during the Main Game or Bonus Game.

Once active, multipliers of up to an impressive 20x may activate as well as Bonus Symbols to increase the likelihood of triggering the Thunder Bonus Feature or Hold and Win Bonus Game.

When both a Bonus Symbol and Thunder Bonus Symbol lands on the reels, the Thunder Bonus Feature comes into action. The feature collects the values of all Bonus Symbols in play, including four in-game Jackpot Symbols, before adding them to the winnings for the spin in the Main Game or Total Win in the Bonus Game.

Landing at least one Bonus Symbol on each reel grants access to the Hold and Win Bonus Game, where players benefit from only Bonus and Thunder Bonus symbols for the entirety of the round. In a striking twist to bonus play, up to four Thunder Bonus Collect symbols can land on the centre reel, further amplifying the win potential on offer.

Additional entry to the Bonus Game is also boosted by the Pile of Gold Feature. Any Bonus Symbols that land on the reels during the main game can randomly trigger the feature, which sees Bonus and Thunder Bonus Symbols added to the grid in quantity enough to activate the Bonus Game.

This latest release demonstrates Playson’s ability for developing unique mechanics that enhance player engagement based on data-driven insights.

Anton Ivannikov, CPO at Playson, said: “Tornado Power: Hold and Win showcases our commitment to elevating the Hold and Win experience with engagement-boosting mechanics that genuinely move the needle. The new Tornado Feature introduces a fresh layer of dynamism to gameplay, giving players more ways to interact with bonus elements and enjoy heightened win potential.

“It’s a strong reflection of our data-led approach to development, and we’re confident it will resonate across a variety of markets.”

The post Playson debuts dynamic new feature in Tornado Power: Hold and Win appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Amusnet Italy proudly participated as the Headline Sponsor for the EGR Italy Awards 2025 on November 21. Supporting this prestigious event for a second consecutive year reaffirms the provider’s commitment to the industry and celebrates the collective achievements of the Italian market.

Prior to the gala, Amusnet Italy participated in the EGR Italy Briefing, joining leading executives to discuss critical topics, including the new licensing regime and responsible gambling. The company was excited to play an active role in shaping insights that inspire progress across the sector.

“Our presence in the region continues to evolve, shifting from supplier to a strategic partner. With an ever-growing game catalog and launching new competitive bonus platforms, we remain dedicated to driving mutual success and strengthening our standing as a leading force in the Italian market,” said Polina Nedyalkova, Director at Amusnet Italy.

During the awards ceremony, Polina had the honour of presenting the accolades for Operator of the Year and Casino Operator, underscoring the company’s close collaboration with the industry’s top performers.

The EGR Italy Awards celebrate the very best of the Italian iGaming sector since 2014, recognising and rewarding Operators, Affiliates and Service providers that have led the way in the past 12 months in terms of innovation, sustainability, customer experience and product development.

The post Amusnet Italy Reaffirms Industry Commitment as Headline Sponsor of EGR Italy Awards 2025 for Second Consecutive Year appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.