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Casino Guru teams up with City, University of London to research and recommend best practice for self-exclusion standards
Casino Guru, a global gambling authority with the most extensive database of online casinos, has recently engaged City, University of London, one of Britain’s top universities providing outstanding education to its students for over 125 years, to identify best practice in online gambling self-exclusion and to recommend a set of standards for adoption across different jurisdictions.
The origins of the project can be traced back to Casino Guru’s Global Self-Exclusion Initiative, launched back in 2020, whose aim is to establish an online self-exclusion scheme on a global scale that would provide a much-needed additional layer of protection for players grappling with problem gambling.
“Upon identifying the rules for self-exclusion in a proposed global system, we came to a conclusion that no general standards are currently in existence. Each jurisdiction creates their own set of rules for self-exclusion, and very few of them actually follow the same level of standards, not to mention the details of implementation. This creates a considerable gap in terms of the general effectiveness of self-exclusion within the industry, and the goal of this project is to close this gap,” stated Šimon Vincze, Casino Guru’s Sustainable and Safer Gambling Lead and the mastermind behind the Global Self-Exclusion Initiative.
The project is led by City, University of London’s Associate Professor Dr Margaret Carran, who possesses extensive research experience in the field of gambling and has in the recent past devoted herself to the analysis of player protection and monitoring of problem gambling in the EU states. The project is set to last around 18 months and involves three phases: research and fact finding, workgroup meetings with representatives of all stakeholders’ groups, and broader consultations.
The workgroup meetings will consist of experts with various backgrounds, whose task will be to find a consensus based on the research and fact finding exercises of existing self-exclusion rules’ impact, their professional experience, expertise and lived-in experience. This is set to be the main pillar of the project, which plans to deliver a recommended set of rules for online self-exclusion.
The final phase of the project will see the findings of the workgroup be open for broader consultation for other stakeholders in the industry. Gambling operators, regulators, non-profit organizations and trade associations will be invited to give their feedback. Criticism will be evaluated and incorporated, and the project will culminate in a series of freely available self-exclusion guidelines for effective implementation and greater protection of players who use self-exclusion to limit their access to gambling.
“Research represents a reliable basis for decision-making of regulators and the creation of standards, especially in the field of player protection. This project is exciting as no such work on self-exclusion has ever been done on an international level before. I have high hopes for the real impact of the project and wish for it to significantly improve player protection across jurisdictions,” Carran commented.
The first phase of the project has already started, and the second phase is scheduled to begin in September when the workgroup holds its initial meeting.
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Asia
World Esports Summit Celebrates Its 10th Edition in Busan
The World Esports Summit returns to Busan, South Korea, for its 10th edition, taking place on 10–11 February 2025.
Hosted at the Wyndham Grand Busan, the Summit will bring together 40+ speakers from the international esports ecosystem, including representatives from federations, publishers, global brands, sports organizations, technology companies, and public institutions.
Over the past decade, the World Esports Summit has provided a platform for dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders shaping the world of esports. The 2025 edition will continue this role, offering space for discussion on current developments, industry challenges, and future directions.
The Summit will feature contributions from a wide range of organizations, including Alibaba, FIBA, FIFAe, Tencent, Moonton, NetEase, FIA, Sportradar, EFG, Good Game, Telekom, among others.
Across two days, participants will take part in keynote sessions and panel discussions addressing topics such as esports governance, international collaboration, industry development, integrity, and the continued convergence of esports and traditional sports.
Further information on the program, speakers, and registration is available on the official World Esports Summit website.
The post World Esports Summit Celebrates Its 10th Edition in Busan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ad formats 2026
PropellerAds Unveils Multi-Format Advertising Suite for Scalable User Acquisition (January 2026)
PropellerAds, a leading multi-source performance advertising platform, today launched a deeply integrated multi-format traffic strategy designed to deliver predictable conversions and scalable growth as acquisition costs climb and user attention fragments across devices and platforms.
Since 2011 PropellerAds has expanded beyond its Popunder roots into a full-service adtech platform that now includes Push, In-Page Push (IPP), Native/Display, Survey Traffic, and Telegram Mini Apps (TMA). This move positions the company as one of the few global providers offering integrated reach across traditional web placements and growing social/in-app ecosystems.
Why this matters for advertisers
Rising acquisition costs and cross-device fragmentation make single-format campaigns unreliable. PropellerAds’ multi-format suite lets brands, agencies and affiliates:
- Mix high-volume formats for rapid testing (Popunder) with high-intent formats (Survey Traffic).
- Reach audiences across Android, iOS and desktop with native-style creatives (IPP and Push).
- Tap emerging social channels via in-app experiences (Telegram Mini Apps) for engaged, low-disruption traffic.
The result: more stable scaling, flexible reach, and higher conversion predictability.
Key formats powering the platform
- Popunder Ads — volume and scale
Popunder remains a workhorse for large-scale acquisition, offering massive coverage, direct-click placements and cost control. It’s ideal for fast market tests and high-volume conversion funnels. - Telegram Mini Apps (TMA) — social traffic growth
TMA brings in-app interstitials, banners and task-based units inside Telegram’s Mini Apps. Advertisers gain access to highly engaged social users with performance optimization that preserves user experience. - In-Page Push (IPP) — native, cross-device reach
IPP delivers notification-style creatives embedded within webpages without opt-in, covering Android, iOS and macOS. Its native look and wide device support increase engagement and CTR while filling gaps left by traditional push. - Push Format — persistent outreach
PropellerAds’ Push ads reach users outside browsing sessions via browser notifications. As an early mover in push ads, PropellerAds now delivers billions of daily impressions to support remarketing and time-sensitive campaigns. - Survey Traffic — high-intent audiences
Survey Traffic funnels users who actively participate in surveys to advertiser landing pages, producing audiences with elevated intent—especially effective for finance, subscriptions, rewards, and lead generation verticals.
PropellerAds’ strategic edge
By combining multiple traffic types and automated optimization, PropellerAds aims to protect campaigns from volatility in any single channel. The platform’s cross-format approach helps advertisers adapt to shifting traffic patterns while maintaining ROI targets.
“With user behavior shifting across screens and contexts, PropellerAds’ multi-format synergy is now essential for scalable growth,” says Julia Larionova, Head of Marketing at PropellerAds. “Platforms with integrated formats and automated optimization will gain a competitive advantage as traffic continues to diversify.”
Bottom line
PropellerAds’ multi-format expansion reflects the adtech industry’s shift toward integrated, cross-device acquisition. For marketers facing rising traffic costs and fragmented attention, the platform offers diversified ad formats and performance tools to scale more reliably in 2026 and beyond.
The post PropellerAds Unveils Multi-Format Advertising Suite for Scalable User Acquisition (January 2026) appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Age of Empires competitive
Team Vitality Enters Age of Empires II Esports with Star-Studded Roster
Team Vitality, one of the most influential names in modern esports, has officially announced its entry into the Age of Empires II competitive scene. This marks a major milestone: the merging of a contemporary esports powerhouse with one of the most iconic real-time strategy franchises in history.
Aiming for the Throne: Star-Studded Roster
Team Vitality isn’t just entering for exposure — they are targeting dominance. The team has assembled a roster featuring three of the most decorated players in Age of Empires II history:
- Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher – The Golden Boy
Known for his unmatched consistency and strategic mastery, Hera defines the modern AoE era. In 2023, he achieved a historic 14-tournament winning streak in S-Tier events. Fresh off his Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024 victory, the current Player of the Year is set to continue his reign under the Vitality banner. - Kai “Liereyy” Kallinger – The Archer God
Renowned for exceptional micro-management and aggressive play, Liereyy brings mechanical perfection and explosive strategies to the squad. A multi-time Red Bull Wololo Champion (II & IV), the Austrian star is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular talents in the game’s history. - Hernán “Hearttt” Pizarro – The Veteran Strategist
With a professional career dating back to 2012 and 80+ tournament appearances, Hearttt is the rock of the team. Named Comeback Player of the Year 2023, the Peruvian strategist provides depth, resilience, and unparalleled tactical insight.
First Major Appearance: Red Bull Wololo 2026
Team Vitality’s AoE II roster will make its competitive debut at Red Bull Wololo 2026: Londinium, one of the most prestigious events on the global RTS calendar. Fans can expect high-level strategic gameplay and the start of Vitality’s quest for world championship titles in the genre.
“At Team Vitality, our expansion is always driven by a certain ambition: to compete for and win World Championships in the world’s most iconic games. Age of Empires and our new superstar lineup align perfectly with that vision… We are honored to be part of this history and can’t wait to welcome AoE fans into the Vitality Hive.” — Danny Engels, Corporate Director, Global Operations, Team Vitality
Why This Matters
Team Vitality’s entry into Age of Empires II is a significant moment for the RTS esports ecosystem:
- It bridges legacy RTS titles and modern esports organizations.
- Brings global visibility to Age of Empires II tournaments.
- Sets the stage for strategic showdowns at major international events.
With Hera, Liereyy, and Hearttt, Team Vitality is positioned to challenge for the top spots in competitive AoE II and potentially reshape the RTS landscape for years to come.
The post Team Vitality Enters Age of Empires II Esports with Star-Studded Roster appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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