As a global hub for cutting-edge discussions and educational initiatives, we at HIPTHER and European Gaming are honored to support the upcoming Online Conference on Problem Gambling, hosted by the Danish Problem Gambling Committee. Scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Danish time), this event promises to be a vital gathering of researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the gambling industry.

Why You Should Attend

Problem gambling affects millions worldwide, influencing not just individual lives but also families and communities. This conference provides a unique opportunity to learn from leading international and Danish researchers about the latest advancements in problem gambling prevention, treatment methodologies, and regulatory strategies.

Highlights of the Program

The carefully curated program ensures a comprehensive look at the key issues and solutions surrounding problem gambling:

• Welcome and Opening Remarks
  Marie Weinreich Petersen, from the Danish Problem Gambling Committee, will kick off the event, setting the stage for an insightful discussion.
• Introduction by Anders Dorph, Director of the Danish Gambling Authority, highlighting the role of regulatory bodies in tackling gambling-related harm.
• Keynote Presentation by Jakob Johnsson, a clinical psychologist and PhD from the Karolinska Institutet. His presentation, “Preventing Gambling Problems – A Step-Wise Approach for Duty-of-Care,” will focus on creating structured frameworks to mitigate risks effectively.
• Flash Talk by Anna Westh Stenbro, a psychologist and PhD candidate at Aarhus University Hospital, exploring the comparative effectiveness of internet-based therapy versus traditional cognitive behavioral therapy in treating gambling disorders.
• Research Insights from Anne Mette Thorhauge, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen. Her talk, “Gamblified Game Mechanisms in Danish Children and Young People’s Gaming,” dives into the impact of game mechanics that mimic gambling on youth behavior.
• Keynote Presentation by David C. Hodgins, a prominent researcher from the University of Calgary, on “How Much Is Too Much? Development and Impact of Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines.” This talk will address the critical question of establishing thresholds for safer gambling.
• Interactive Q&A and Final Remarks
  Participants will have the chance to engage directly with speakers, followed by closing insights from Marie Weinreich Petersen.

Key Themes to Watch For

• The Role of Duty-of-Care in Gambling Prevention: Learn about structured approaches to reducing harm while fostering responsible gambling practices.
• Innovations in Therapy: Discover how online therapeutic interventions are transforming the treatment landscape for gambling disorders.
• Youth and Gambling-Like Gaming Mechanisms: Explore the overlap between gaming and gambling and its implications for younger demographics.
• Evidence-Based Guidelines: Gain a deeper understanding of how lower-risk gambling thresholds are developed and their real-world impact.

How to Participate

The conference will take place online, making it accessible to a global audience. To join, simply register via this link by Monday, January 6, 2025, 3:00 PM (Danish time). A link to access the virtual event will be shared with registrants closer to the date.

HIPTHER’s Commitment to Responsible Gaming

Our involvement in supporting this event underscores HIPTHER’s dedication to fostering responsible gaming and raising awareness about gambling-related harms. By backing initiatives like this, we aim to drive meaningful conversations and actionable outcomes within the industry.

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Mark your calendars for January 15, 2025, and join us for a transformative discussion on combating problem gambling. Together, let’s pave the way for safer and more sustainable gaming environments worldwide.

The global esports organization GIANTX has officially presented the roster for its League of Legends Superliga team, the most prestigious esports competition in Spain, organized by the LVP. The roster includes Feisty (midlaner) and Aetinoth (ADC), who continue for another year after establishing themselves as key players for the organization, and newcomers Badlulu (toplaner), Ferret (jungler), and Lospa (support).

The team, known as GIANTX Pride, will be led by Fearless, a veteran coach who has already won three Superliga titles with GIANTX. After previous stints with teams like Guasones and Rebels, Fearless returns to lead this young and promising roster as they pursue the organization’s long-awaited eighth Superliga trophy, with the season set to begin in January 2025.

The roster was revealed during an event at the Home of GIANTX in Málaga, attended by over 150 fans and supported by Opel, the team’s main partner in the Superliga. The event featured activities, giveaways, and a showmatch against Barça Esports, where fans got a first glimpse of the team in action.

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Feisty (South Korea, 2003) and Aetinoth (Turkey, 2005) return for another year, having gained recognition as rising talents with potential for the LEC, Europe’s premier competition in which GIANTX also competes. Badlulu (France, 2002), with prior experience in the Superliga at CASE Esports, joins as the toplaner. Ferret (Turkey, 2001), a promising jungler from the Turkish scene, comes from FUT, while Lospa (South Korea, 2002), a former Iberian Cup champion, joins as support after training in Gen.G Academy.

GIANTX Pride is the most decorated organization in Superliga LVP history, with seven titles to its name. The last victory came in the summer of 2021, and the team is determined to add the elusive eighth trophy to its collection. The Superliga for 2025 will feature ten teams, including Barça Esports, Guasones, Los Heretics, LUA Gaming, Movistar KOI, Ramboot Club, UCAM Esports, VENI VIDI VICI, and ZETA, competing across three splits—winter, spring, and summer.

The LVP, part of Grupo Mediapro, has introduced changes to the Superliga’s format for 2025. The updated calendar will be released soon, setting the stage for another thrilling season.

Introduction:

In the rapidly evolving world of mobile gaming, innovation is the key to staying ahead. Rewarded User Acquisition (UA) is emerging as a game-changing strategy, enabling developers to attract and retain players by incentivizing engagement. At the forefront of this movement is James Crabb, Head of Gaming Partnerships at Almedia, a leader in Rewarded UA through platforms like Freecash. With over a decade of experience in mobile gaming and partnerships with major titles, James provides invaluable insights into the potential and challenges of Rewarded UA, the shifting landscape of the mobile games industry, and trends shaping the future.

Rewarded UA: Transforming Mobile Gaming Engagement – An Interview with James Crabb, Head of Gaming Partnerships at Almedia

Can you describe Rewarded UA to our readers?

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Rewarded User Acquisition is a marketing strategy commonly used in mobile app and game development. It involves incentivizing users with rewards like Amazon or Google Play vouchers for engaging with an app or game. This approach not only increases engagement but also helps developers acquire high-quality users more likely to make in-app purchases or interact with ads. Platforms like Freecash excel at scaling this model without relying on third-party networks, creating a frictionless experience for studios.

“The key to success in Rewarded UA,” James explains, “is continuously testing different rewards and strategies, adding deeper-level events to maintain user engagement and maximize outcomes.”

What is your career background?

With over 13 years in the mobile gaming space, James started his journey at Kabam, working on the successful Kingdoms of Camelot: Battle for the North. He has since held pivotal roles at renowned studios like Outfit7 (My Talking Tom), Huuuge Games (Huuuge Casino), and Wargaming (World of Tanks, World of Warships). Recently, he ventured into the web3 space with MoonGaming (Medieval Empires).

James joined Almedia nine months ago, diving deep into Rewarded UA through the Freecash platform. “We’ve seen tremendous growth as developers realize how scalable our audience is,” he shares.

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How do developers benefit from giving away cash?

“The idea that developers are ‘giving away cash’ is a misconception,” James explains. Instead, developers pay a cost per install (CPI) to platforms like Freecash. This investment is structured to drive user engagement with short-, mid-, and long-term activities. As players progress through challenging levels motivated by rewards, developers monetize through in-app purchases and ad engagement.

By carefully designing reward structures, developers ensure they acquire users who remain invested and engaged in their games while generating revenue.

Why is Rewarded UA growing?

Traditional UA channels have become competitive, expensive, and difficult to scale, especially after privacy regulations like Apple’s App Tracking Transparency. Rewarded UA, by contrast, bypasses these challenges, offering direct access to users keen to engage with games and earn rewards.

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James notes, “Rewarded UA platforms provide an invaluable alternative, especially for studios looking to scale effectively amidst increasing privacy constraints.”

You’re based in Berlin; how is the mobile games industry performing locally?

Berlin continues to thrive as a gaming hub with notable studios like Wooga, Wargaming Mobile, and Ubisoft’s Kolibri Games. It also fosters a vibrant ecosystem of newer studios such as TrailMix, Metacore, and Playflux. “The city’s talent pool spans developers, producers, designers, and marketing specialists, all supporting the local industry,” James says.

What are some common misconceptions about ‘Rewarded UA’?

Many in the industry still equate Rewarded UA with the outdated concept of incentivized traffic, which focused on boosting app store rankings without delivering quality users.

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James points out that modern Rewarded UA is far more sophisticated. “Platforms like Freecash are delivering measurable results for studios like Plarium, where new user registrations rose by 30%, and the lifetime value (LTV) of users was 20% higher compared to other channels.”

While the model is powerful, James emphasizes the importance of anti-fraud measures to maintain trust and quality.

At Almedia, you lead gaming partnerships. How do you approach building connections in the games industry?

“The gaming industry is incredibly well-connected, so we focus on building relationships for the long term,” James explains. Events play a significant role in fostering these connections, and maintaining authenticity in conversations is key. “Don’t treat discussions as transactions; view them as opportunities to build meaningful partnerships.”

As we look toward 2025, what industry trends are on your radar?

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James predicts a more equitable and accessible mobile games industry, driven by policy changes like Epic’s court victory against Google. Additionally, he foresees a surge in user-generated content (UGC), with platforms like Roblox and Unreal Editor for Fortnite paving the way for new creative opportunities.

“Increased payouts to creators and emerging platforms to support UGC will be a significant trend,” he adds.

Conclusion

Rewarded UA is reshaping mobile gaming, providing scalable and effective user acquisition strategies while enhancing the gaming experience. With industry leaders like James Crabb championing innovative approaches, the future of mobile gaming looks brighter than ever. From advancements in Rewarded UA to new opportunities in UGC, developers have much to look forward to as the gaming landscape evolves.