Latest News
GambleAware: New gambling prevalence methodology review published
GambleAware has today published commissioned research, authored by Professor Patrick Sturgis and Professor Jouni Kuha of the London School of Economics, which investigates how methodological differences between surveys affect the accuracy of estimates of gambling harms. The research was commissioned following a 2019 YouGov study which found substantially higher rates of gambling harms across Great Britain than had previously been reported by the 2016 and 2018 Health Surveys for England.
The research was commissioned to identify the best way to determine gambling participation and prevalence of gambling harms in Great Britain and to develop a better understanding of how methodological factors might account for the differences between the results of the YouGov study and the Health Survey for England’s results. The surveys reviewed in the report produced widely varying estimates of ‘problem gambling’[1] in Great Britain, indicated by a PGSI score[2] of 8+, ranging from 0.7% to 2.4% of adults.
The research reviewed eight different surveys into gambling participation and prevalence of gambling harms to identify differences in results and what causes them. The key finding is that surveys using predominantly, or exclusively online self-completion responses produce consistently higher estimates of gambling harm compared to surveys which use paper self-completion techniques as part of a face-to-face interview.
The primary cause of this discrepancy was found to be selection bias in online surveys. Selection bias in this instance refers to the fact that online surveys skew towards people who are comfortable using online technologies and who use the internet regularly. These people are also more likely to be online and frequent gamblers, meaning online surveys tend to over-estimate gambling harm.
Given these findings, the researchers shared the following recommendations for future prevalence surveys:
- Given the high and rising cost of in person surveys, measurement of gambling prevalence and harm should move to online surveying.
- The move to online interviewing should be combined with a programme of methodological testing and development to mitigate selection bias.
- In person surveying should not be ceased completely; probability sampling and face-to-face interviewing should be used to provide periodic benchmarks.
GambleAware commissioned this study to better understand the true demand for treatment and support for gambling harms across Great Britain and will use the findings of this study to inform and direct the future Annual Great Britain Treatment and Support surveys. Data from the surveys will continue to be used to update GambleAware’s interactive maps, which show in visual format the prevalence of gambling participation and harms at local authority and ward level across Great Britain.
Professor Patrick Sturgis, Department of Methodology at the London School of Economics, said: “Our research has found that online surveys tend to systematically overestimate the prevalence of gambling harm compared to face-to-face interview surveys. However, given the very high and rising cost of in person surveying, and the limits this places on sample size and the frequency of surveys, we recommend a shift to predominantly online data collection in future, supplemented by periodic in person benchmarks.”
Alison Clare, Research, Information and Knowledge Director at GambleAware, said: “We want our prevention, treatment, and support commissioning to be informed by the best available evidence, and having survey data we can be confident in, within the constraints of data collection in an increasingly online world, is key. GambleAware’s annual GB Treatment & Support survey is an important tool in building a picture of the stated demand for gambling harms support and treatment, and of the services, capacity and capability needed across Great Britain to meet that demand.
Powered by WPeMatico
Africa
Broadway Platform Partners with Ghanaian Operator Afrinova
Broadway Platform, the all-in-one iGaming platform, has partnered with Ghanaian operator Afrinova as it further expands its footprint in the African continent.
The agreement will see Afrinova’s platform powered by Broadway’s full-service AI-powered product suite, including casino, as well as a complete payment, CRM and risk management solution, as the operator looks to grow its presence in its home market of Ghana.
Ghana, like many regulated African markets, offers significant growth opportunities, with increasing internet penetration, a young population and growing familiarity with betting products.
The Afrinova partnership is the latest commercial agreement secured by Broadway Platform, which has also strengthened its offering after a recent deal with Altenar.
Giorgi Samkharadze, Director of Broadway Platform, said: “Partnering with Afrinova is a really exciting moment for us as we strengthen our presence in one of Africa’s most exciting regulated markets.
“Our commitment to exceptional product delivery is unmatched, and we look forward to powering Afrinova’s market-leading offering for many years to come.”
Imad Hawwach, Managing Director at Afrinova, said: “Broadway Platform’s comprehensive back-end offering allows us to seamlessly deliver a best-in-class experience to our customers across Ghana. It’s an extremely exciting partnership for us, and one that allows us to stand apart from our competitors.”
The post Broadway Platform Partners with Ghanaian Operator Afrinova appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Africa
Amusnet Won Online Slot Supplier of the Year and Reinforced its Long-Term Vision at the iGaming Afrika Summit
Amusnet arrived at the inaugural iGaming Afrika Summit with a clear position: it was not there to follow Africa’s iGaming growth, but to help shape it. Reinforcing that commitment beyond the exhibition floor, Cameron Green, Country Director South Africa at Amusnet, also joined the conference agenda as a featured speaker, contributing to key discussions around the future development of Africa’s gaming industry.
The company’s strong presence at the event was further recognised with the Online Slot Supplier of the Year award at the iGA Summit Awards, acknowledging Amusnet’s strong performance and growing impact across the African iGaming market.
Beyond the product showcase, Amusnet positioned itself as an active participant in Africa’s regulatory and commercial evolution. Across key markets including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania, the company worked alongside operators, regulators and industry bodies to support a more structured and sustainable ecosystem.
Green took part in the panel discussion “Developed Markets: Strategies for Growing Africa’s Gaming Industry” alongside Thomas Nsongka, Managing Partner at Lion Bets, David Moshi, Managing Director of Velex Advisory Ltd, and Musa Mngadi, CEO of the African Lotteries & Gaming Association. The session was moderated by Job Weku, Business Development Manager Africa at FAZI Company.
Speaking during the panel, Green highlighted the increasing importance of localisation within African gaming markets.
“In the last 12–18 months, we’ve seen a clear shift from generic global content to locally adapted experiences that actually resonate with African players. It’s no longer enough to just translate a game, you need to localise mechanics, themes, volatility, even how jackpots are presented. The suppliers that understand cultural nuance and player behaviour are the ones driving stronger engagement and better lifetime value,” he said.
Addressing the relationship between operators and suppliers, Green also emphasised the need for stronger strategic alignment across the industry.
“Too many supplier–operator relationships in Africa are still transactional when they should be strategic. The operators winning today are the ones treating suppliers as growth partners, not just content vendors. That means sharing data, aligning on player value, and co-investing in performance. The reality is simple, if both sides aren’t making money sustainably, the partnership will break under pressure,” he noted.
At this year’s showcase, the focus moved beyond volume of content to performance that matters. Amusnet’s portfolio was built to deliver stronger session times, higher engagement, and improved player retention across regulated African markets. Proven titles like Shining Crown and Ca$hybara Ski Edition continued to perform consistently, while newer releases such as Caramelo Sortudo Crash Edition and Crazy Red reflected a sharper alignment with evolving player behaviour.
The Golden Coins Link Jackpot series further reinforced this approach, combining familiar mechanics with scalable jackpot structures that drove repeat play and sustained engagement. But the strategy did not stop online.
In a continent where retail still plays a dominant role, Amusnet’s ability to operate seamlessly across Land-based, Online, and Live casino environments gave operators a tangible edge. From immersive live products like Candy Wheel and Showtime Roulette 500, to Land-based solutions including Type S cabinets and the Amusebox platform, the offering was designed to bridge channels and maximise player value across touchpoints.
This hybrid strength proved particularly relevant in African markets, where infrastructure, regulation, and player habits differ significantly from one jurisdiction to the next.
For operators facing increasing pressure from taxation, compliance and rising acquisition costs, the focus remained straightforward: improving yield per player without increasing risk.
“We see Africa as a long-term build, not a short-term opportunity. Our role is to support regulated growth, build meaningful partnerships, and deliver products that genuinely move the needle for operators in this market,” added Green.
That approach was backed by a commercial model built on alignment. Through data-led optimisation, tailored volatility and rapid localisation, Amusnet worked closely with partners to improve performance at a market level. Co-investment in campaigns and a shared focus on measurable outcomes positioned the company as more than a supplier, but as a contributor to operator growth.
As Africa’s iGaming landscape continued to mature and move towards greater regulation and consolidation, the direction remained clear. Amusnet positioned itself on the right side of that shift: performance-led, locally aligned and built for the long game.
The post Amusnet Won Online Slot Supplier of the Year and Reinforced its Long-Term Vision at the iGaming Afrika Summit appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Brazil
Why is Pix central to combating the illegal betting market?
Published in Poder360, this opinion article by Leo Baptista, founder of Pay4fun, explores why Pix has become one of the most strategic tools in combating Brazil’s illegal betting market and why financial tracking may be more effective than simply blocking websites.
There is currently a recurring question whenever we talk about the betting market in Brazil: why does the illegal sector continue to operate even after regulation?
The answer is simple and, at the same time, uncomfortable: because we still have not tackled the problem in the most effective way.
For a long time, efforts to combat illegal betting focused on blocking websites.
It is an important measure, but an insufficient one.
The dynamic is familiar: one domain is blocked today, another appears tomorrow with slight variations.
It is an almost endless task, often described by the industry itself as “a losing battle.”
If we truly want to be effective, we need to change the approach.
The path is different: follow the money, and this is precisely where Brazil has an enormous competitive advantage: Pix.
Today, Pix is the only payment method accepted in Brazil’s betting market.
For the first time, this gives authorities an instrument capable not only of tracking, but mainly interrupting, the financial flow that sustains these operations.
When you cut the payment flow, you cut the business itself.
This movement has already begun.
The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) now has stronger enforcement tools against institutions operating illegally.
ines can reach extremely significant amounts. At the same time, the Central Bank has substantially increased requirements for payment institutions.
This second point is fundamental.
In recent years, Brazil witnessed a proliferation of smaller institutions, often with weak control structures.
With stricter requirements related to capital, compliance, and anti-money laundering measures, many of these operations have left the market.
In practice, this has already reduced space for illegal activity. But it is still not enough.
The irregular market continues to represent a significant share of the sector: illegal betting currently accounts for between 41% and 51% of Brazil’s betting market, according to research conducted by Instituto Locomotiva and LCA Consultoria Econômica.
In other words, we are talking about an enormous volume of resources that fail to generate taxes, jobs, and consumer protection, losses that could reach up to R$40 billion per year in tax revenue, according to the same industry estimates.
This leads to another important point: it makes little sense to discuss higher tax burdens or additional restrictions for companies operating within the regulated market while such a large portion continues operating outside the law.
If pressure increases on regulated operators, the effect is direct: operators, and often users themselves, are pushed toward the illegal market.
The most efficient path to increasing tax revenue is not raising taxes.
It is bringing illegal activity into the legal market. If that happens, the regulated sector could practically double in size, and tax collection would grow accordingly.
That is why the focus must be clear: enforcement.
Supervision of payment methods, providers, and operators on both sides of the market is essential.
There is no longer room for companies to remain “on the fence,” simultaneously serving both regulated and illegal operations.
Another area that needs advancement is regulatory integration.
The Central Bank and the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting must work increasingly closely together. Combating illegal activity depends directly on this coordination.
Brazil has built a solid regulatory model for betting in a relatively short period of time.
The market is functioning, generating revenue, jobs, and user protection. Now, the country is entering a new phase: consolidation.
At this stage, there should be no doubt about where efforts must be concentrated.
The fight against the illegal market will not happen on the surface by simply taking down websites. It will happen through financial flows. Pix gives us that possibility.
Perhaps it is the most powerful tool we currently have. The question is not whether it can help. The real question is how willing we are to use it effectively.
Leonardo Baptista
Leonardo is the CEO & co-founder of Pay4Fun, a Brazilian payment institution recognized for its technology, security, and anti-money laundering prevention in Brazil’s regulated betting market.
With more than 20 years of experience in the gaming and IT sectors, he created Brazil’s first online bingo platform in 2004. In 2022, he was named one of the 10 most inspiring CEOs by CIO Business Review.
The post Why is Pix central to combating the illegal betting market? appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
Adjarabet7 days agoOctoplay launches in Georgia with Adjarabet
-
Central Europe7 days agoTipico Casino Enters into Partnership with Holstein Kiel
-
bet3657 days agoEvoplay adds bet365 to its Brazil operator lineup
-
Latest News7 days agoPRAGMATIC PLAY SETS UP SHOP WITH MR NULL’S WICKED WARES
-
Canada7 days agoPlayson expands North American reach with Mohegan Digital partnership
-
Armenian Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs7 days agoArmenia to Implement Strictest Gambling Regulations to Combat a Massive Surge in Addiction
-
game launches7 days agoSpinomenal releases 3 Magical Genies slot with Hold & Hit bonus
-
Canada6 days agoAnalysis flags World Cup 2026 stress test for Canada’s patchwork betting rules



