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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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B2B gaming supplier Push Gaming has broadened its profile in the Netherlands through a new commercial deal with prominent operator Starcasino, increasing access to its award-winning content within the regulated market.

Now live, the partnership makes Push Gaming’s full portfolio available on www.starcasino.nl, giving players access to popular titles across Push Originals, Push Action, and Reel Hot Games. These include hits such as Razor Returns, Goat Getter, and Wild Swarm 2.

The deal strengthens the strong relationship between the two companies, following a successful rollout with Starcasino in Belgium. It also supports Push Gaming’s wider growth strategy in the Netherlands, one of its key regulated markets in Europe.

The agreement marks the latest milestone in Push Gaming’s ongoing expansion, as the supplier continues to grow its operations with trusted partners and proven content strategies.

Anja Ortmanns, Account Manager at Push Gaming, said: “The Netherlands remains a key market in our European strategy, and we’re pleased to be expanding our presence there with Starcasino in the Netherlands.

“It’s a trusted name with a strong local following, and this partnership enables us to reach even more Dutch players through a platform that shares our commitment to quality content and regulation growth.”

Pieter Van den Bos, Director at Starcasino.nl, said: “Push Gaming’s reputation precedes it, and we’re excited to bring its acclaimed content to our players in the Netherlands.

“Our mission is to provide the best possible experience, and this partnership is another step towards achieving that. We look forward to a fruitful relationship together.”

The post Push Gaming strengthens Dutch market presence with Starcasino.nl partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.