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Advertising and gambling: the ANJ launches a broad public consultation of different stakeholders

Published

4 years ago

September 22, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

During the UEFA European Football Championship, some abuses had been noted concerning advertising pressure from sports betting operators. These abuses are likely to call the regulatory model implemented for 10 years into question. That is the reason why the ANJ launches a broad public consultation on gambling operators’ practices in terms of advertising.

Gambling operators’ advertising practices questioned during the European Football Championship

In France, the online gambling market is strictly regulated because gambling is not like any other product; it carries important risks of abuse (over-indebtedness), or of public health (addiction and isolation) for the player and those around him. That is the reason why gambling needs to stay a recreational and measured activity. Though, the advertising pressure that has been observed during the European Football Championship, the targeting of young audiences, as well as messages that maintain the illusion of easy money are particularly problematic.

According to a Harris Interactive study* conducted during the European Football Championship for the ANJ, more than half of the people who had seen sports betting’s ads feels that they are too numerous, and close to eight French people out of ten who had seen these ads consider that they can contain a risk of addiction.

Faced with the same situation, some European States have already taken measures in order to limit the quantity of advertising or to provide a stricter framework of its content.

The public consultation process

It is in this context that the ANJ has decided to organise a broad public consultation on the advertising practices of gambling operators (in particular for sports betting). This consultation, which will take place in September and October, has the following objectives:

To produce a situational analysis on how gambling ads are perceived by different actors and the risks associated with them;
To evaluate the ANJ advertising regulation tools and, where required, to imagine additional avenues that would enable the ANJ to better ensure compliance with the principle of recreational gambling that underpins the French model, particularly with regard to young audiences and vulnerable populations.

General public sequences

An online questionnaire is available on the ANJ website from 20 September for a period of one month. It allows to all those who wish to provide a feedback of their impressions and suggestions;
Two citizen dialogue workshops will be organised at a local level to try to assess the social acceptability of advertising and to reflect on possible recommendations.
A debate focused on the issue of young people targeting.

Sequences with professional stakeholders

A call for contributions from professional stakeholders (gambling operators, health professionals, competent public authorities, care associations, etc.);
A debate at a local level allowing to cross the point of views of different communities concerned by the subject (gambling operators, addiction professionals, academics, educational community, etc.);
A workshop co-organised by the ANJ and the ARPP (Professional Advertising Regulation Authority) gathering gambling operators and advertising stakeholders.

The various contributions obtained during this consultation and the synthesis that the ANJ will make of them will enable it to build common diagnoses, then to formalise guidelines relating to gambling advertising and, where required, to propose by the end of the year new measures to public authorities likely to enforce the recreational gambling model.

For Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, ANJ Chairwoman: “In order to question the permanence of a consensus around the French gambling model and the evolutions that could possibly be made in terms of advertising, the ANJ has chosen to favour the path of a consultation open to all publics. Indeed, gambling advertising concerns us all: players, non-players, parents, educators, operators, etc. Everyone will be able to express their views on the acceptable balance to find between gambling advertising and the maintenance of a recreational gambling. It will then be up to the regulator to make balanced and effective recommendations, based on a social pact shared by all“.

Azerlotereya

How Groove Technologies Powered a Landmark Year of Global Expansion

Published

3 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

how-groove-technologies-powered-a-landmark-year-of-global-expansion

As the iGaming industry enters 2026, award-winning platform and aggregator Groove Technologies is reflecting on a transformative 2025. This landmark year was defined by strategic expansion, technological innovation, and a significant deepening of its global roots, solidifying Groove’s role as a comprehensive growth engine for operators worldwide.

Strategic Leadership and Market Penetration

A key catalyst for this growth was the appointment of Giusy Campo as Business Development Director. With over 15 years of experience (including a notable tenure at GLI), Campo’s mandate was to structure and accelerate the company’s push into complex regulated markets.

The “LATAM Story”: Brazil and Argentina

A headline achievement for the year was securing a license to operate in Brazil as the country launched its regulated market on January 1, 2025. Coupled with established activity in Argentina, this move forms the foundation of Groove’s Latin American strategy.

“Brazil isn’t just another market; it’s a statement of intent,” says Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO. “With Giusy Campo leading our business development, we are systematically building the partnerships necessary for long-term success in regulated regions.”

Technological Innovation: Groove Command & Instant Tournaments

2025 saw Groove transition from a powerful aggregator to a complete engagement ecosystem with the launch of its proprietary Instant Tournaments tool, integrated directly into the Groove Command (Sinatra) Back Office.

Key Platform Advancements:

Self-Service Marketing: Operators can now launch and manage tournaments and Free Round Bonuses (FRB) in minutes without technical intervention.
Ecosystem Growth: The platform onboarded 20+ new game providers and 10+ new operator partners in 2025.
Vertical Expansion: Significant growth in the Sweepstakes and Crypto gaming sectors, responding to evolving partner demand.

Metric	2025 Achievement
New Providers	20+ Added
New Operators	10+ Onboarded
Total Game Catalog	15,000+ Titles
Global Presence	10 Major Events across 4 Continents

Diversified Partnerships: From Crypto to National Lotteries

Demonstrating the platform’s versatility, Groove secured a landmark partnership with Azerlotereya, the national lottery of Azerbaijan. This collaboration validates the robustness and compliance of Groove’s infrastructure in government-backed, high-stringency environments.

Operational Scale and Global Infrastructure

To support these ambitions, Groove scaled its global support network. The company now maintains offices in Israel, Georgia, and Malta, offering 24/7 multilingual technical and account services.

“Our expansion into sweepstakes and crypto wasn’t opportunistic; it was a response to clear partner demand,” reflects Meltzer. “When an operator in Georgia or a partner in São Paulo has a question, they get an answer from someone who understands their market context, not just their technical issue.”

The post How Groove Technologies Powered a Landmark Year of Global Expansion appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

DUPR Ratings

USA Pickleball “Golden Ticket” Returns to Las Vegas: February 2026 at the Plaza

Published

5 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

usa-pickleball-“golden-ticket”-returns-to-las-vegas:-february-2026-at-the-plaza

USA Pickleball is heading back to the “Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World” for the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Las Vegas, presented by Tommy Bahama.

Taking place from February 18–22, 2026, the event moves to a new iconic home at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas. As a premier qualifying event for the 2026 USA Pickleball National Championships, this tournament offers amateur players their fastest “Path to Nationals.”

The “Golden Ticket” Advantage

In the competitive world of pickleball, a “Golden Ticket” is the ultimate prize for amateur athletes.

Priority Registration: Gold medalists in each age and skill bracket receive a Golden Ticket, granting them guaranteed priority registration for the National Championships in November.
Tiered Point System (TPS): Participants who do not win gold still earn maximum ranking points toward Nationals eligibility, as Golden Ticket events sit at the highest tier of the sanctioned points system.
Official Rankings: As a sanctioned event, results are reported to DUPR, providing athletes with verified skill ratings.

Venue Spotlight: The Plaza Hotel & Casino

The Plaza has established itself as the premier pickleball destination in Las Vegas, boasting more courts than any other hotel-casino resort in the city.

16 Tournament-Level Courts: The venue features 12 permanent rooftop courts and a dedicated championship court area that can expand to accommodate large-scale tournament play.
Rooftop Experience: Players compete on the Plaza’s fifth-floor pool deck, offering panoramic views of the Las Vegas valley and the historic Fremont Street District.
Capacity: The event expects to host over 500 athletes across five days of high-stakes competition.

“This venue allows us to deliver an extraordinary athlete experience, from professional operations to the energy that makes Las Vegas such a special host city,” said Jose Moreno, Chief Marketing Officer of USA Pickleball.

Tournament Registration & Logistics

Registration for the Las Vegas Golden Ticket is currently open, with several key deadlines and costs for participants:

Registration Deadline: February 8, 2026.
Cost: $95 Registration Fee + $45 Event Fee (Amateurs).
Skill Levels: Open to players in skill brackets 3.0 to 5.0, with age divisions ranging from 19 to 80+.
Exclusive Rates: A special hotel rate is available at the Plaza using group code SUSAPGT for bookings made by February 2nd.

For more information on Golden Ticket tournaments and the Path to Nationals, visit https://usapickleball.org/goldenticket/.

The post USA Pickleball “Golden Ticket” Returns to Las Vegas: February 2026 at the Plaza appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

DUPR Ratings

USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Heads to the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas next month

Published

5 hours ago

January 7, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

usa-pickleball-golden-ticket-heads-to-the-plaza-hotel-and-casino-in-downtown-las-vegas-next-month

USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Las Vegas presented by Tommy Bahama set for Feb. 18-22

USA Pickleball is returning to Las Vegas next month with the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Las Vegas presented by Tommy Bahama, bringing one of the organization’s premier qualifying events back to the city after a highly successful 2024 tournament. The event will take place Feb. 18–22, at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas, offering athletes a new venue and an elevated tournament experience.

Golden Ticket Tournaments are official qualifying events for the USA Pickleball National Championships, the sport’s most prestigious competition. Winners earn a coveted Golden Ticket, securing priority registration to Nationals, while all participants earn points as part of USA Pickleball’s Tiered Point System.

Golden Ticket Tournaments attract top players from across the country, offering a professionally run environment with certified referees, official rules, and first-class venues designed for fair and competitive play. As sanctioned USA Pickleball events, participants earn official DUPR ratings and ranking points, helping athletes track progress and advance competitively.

“We’re excited to bring the Golden Ticket back to Las Vegas and to do it at the Plaza Hotel and Casino, with an expected 500+ athletes,” said Jose Moreno, Chief Marketing Officer of USA Pickleball. “This venue allows us to deliver an extraordinary athlete experience, from professional operations to the energy that makes Las Vegas such a special host city. Golden Ticket tournaments are a vital part of The Path to Nationals, and Las Vegas is the perfect place for players to test themselves, earn their way forward, and compete among the best in the country.”

“With the most pickleball courts of any resort, the Plaza has become the premier destination for pickleball in Las Vegas,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “We are excited to host this prestigious tournament and welcome the top USA Pickleball players from across the country to the Plaza. This event will be one not to miss with exciting, competitive matches played on our courts that offer unforgettable views of the Las Vegas valley.”

A special hotel rate at the Plaza is available for tournament participants. Rooms must be reserved online by Feb. 2, with group code SUSAPGT at https://book.passkey.com/go/SUSAPGT. Guests can also make reservations by phone, 1-800-634-6575, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Saturday and Sunday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information on Golden Ticket tournaments and the Path to Nationals, visit https://usapickleball.org/goldenticket/.

The post USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Heads to the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas next month appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.