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Online gambling is the runaway winner of this World Cup
Online gambling has profited most from the pulsating action in the football World Cup in Russia, especially from the fine showing of the young and unfancied England team.
The London Times has reported that the brits could end up betting for about 2.5 billion pounds ($3.31 billion) when the World Cup concludes. It represents a 50 per cent hike from the figure of the previous tournament held in Brazil. The trend points to a possible rise in the number of problem gamblers too. Curbing advertising, without cracking down on betting platforms, seems to be the best way to control problem gamblers without troubling the responsible bettors.
The spread of technology and decades of fairly permissive regulation, with betting shops a common sight on British streets since the 1960s, have laid the groundwork. The UK’s online gambling market is the biggest in Europe, with gross revenues of $5.7 billion, according to consultancy GBGC. Markets like France are catching up, but keep the sector on a much tighter leash.
Yet advertising and marketing really keep the wheels turning. The tens of millions of UK viewers tuning in for a World Cup match regularly come face-to-face with a celebrity cheerfully promoting online bets, somewhere in between the teams’ national anthems and the start of play. It’s hard to reconcile the glossy scenes of groups of friends laying down victorious bets between swigs of beer with reality.
The ads are the logical conclusion of a deregulation drive that began a decade ago, and which led to ads so in-your-face that some politicians and the Church of England have called for further restrictions. Sponsorship deals between clubs and betting brands have soared.
Rules and standards are belatedly being tightened, notably around the tone and seductive financial promotions of some ads. But the ubiquity of ads and aggressive messaging remain unchanged. Betting websites’ impressive double-digit operating margins alone should make clear who the real winners are.
Industry bodies have in the past argued that opposition to ads is emotional rather than evidence-based. Dr. Mark Griffiths, of Nottingham Trent University’s gaming research unit, found otherwise. According to his research, normalisation of sports betting could hurt vulnerable sections of society: Some 70 per cent of children have seen gambling ads on social media, according to the Gambling Commission; and problem gamblers mention advertising as a trigger.
A direct crackdown on online gambling is probably more paternalistic than UK society would support; it would also just fuel a black market. But consumers would benefit from a nudge in the right direction. Advertising and awareness campaigns about the risks of gambling could balance the scales a little better. A proposal from Bournemouth University’s Raian Ali suggests re-routing the data harvested by gambling platforms back to the consumer, so gamblers can see the full record of their activity and money spent (and lost).
These measures would make a great deal of sense. But future regulatory efforts should still target the marketing machine of an increasingly volume-driven and commoditised betting market. A reduction or ban in betting ads would no doubt help with gambling addiction. But, as with alcohol and cigarette advertising, where heavy restrictions now apply in the UK, firms are unlikely to hold back voluntarily. Betting on less exposure could pay out for society over the long run.
Source: bloomberg.com
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Amusnet has released its latest video slot, Wild Fortune.
This 5-reel, 40-fixed-payline video slot features nine beautifully designed symbols. The Wild symbol expands on all reels and positions, helping players to complete winning combinations and unlock hidden treasures.
Set against a backdrop of deep colours and twinkling lights, Wild Fortune enchants players with its vivid graphics and haunting soundtrack, immersing them in an atmosphere of mystery.
Expanding Wild
The Wild symbol appears on all reels and stretches on all neighbouring positions, substituting for all other symbols.
Gamble
Play the game and multiply the winnings through the Gambling feature.
Jackpot Cards
The Jackpot Cards bonus game is triggered at random during the gameplay to allow players to win impressive jackpots.
The post Amusnet Releases Wild Fortune appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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PlayStation and NODWIN Gaming Announce the Fourth Edition of the PlayStation India Cup Featuring EA SPORTS FC 26
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NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming and esports, has announced the fourth edition of the PlayStation India Cup, featuring EA SPORTS FC 26, exclusively on PS5 console.
The tournament marks the return of India’s only official console esports tournament, and features daily online qualifiers, followed by an online playoffs. The top 8 players will progress to the grand finale, which will take place during Delhi Comic Con at NSIC Grounds, Okhla, New Delhi, from 5th December to 7th December 2025. Fans will witness the country’s top EA FC 26 players competing for a total prize pool of ₹4,00,000. With the rise of football fandom in India and the ever-growing EA SPORTS FC community, this year’s championship promises bigger competition and unmatched excitement.
The previous edition of the India Cup Finals at Delhi Comic Con 2024 also featured an immersive PlayStation gaming pavilion with hands-on demos and live commentary, which saw strong engagement from Comic Con attendees.
This year, in addition to the sizable prize pool, all finalists will receive official PlayStation merchandise, making the competition even more rewarding for players who make it to the big stage.
How to Register
Registrations for the PlayStation India Cup started on October 08, 2025. Players across India can participate in the daily online qualifiers through the following steps:
Step-by-Step Registration Process
Step 1: Boot up the PlayStation 5 and ensure it is connected to the internet.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Events” or “Tournaments” section on the PS5 dashboard.
Step 3: Look for the “PlayStation India Cup FC 26” (EA SPORTS FC 26) tournament listing.
Step 4: Select the tournament and follow the on-screen prompts to complete registration.
Step 5: Confirm participation and monitor notifications for match schedules or additional requirements.
The Daily Cups conclude on November 10, 2025. Players are encouraged to register early to secure their spot in the daily qualifiers.
Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, said: “The console esports scene in India is a premium niche, and the PlayStation India Cup with EA FC captures that perfectly. Delhi Comic Con, where our journey began over a decade ago, provides the ideal stage, bringing together fans who love both pop culture and competitive gaming. Hosting the tournament in our 40,000 sq. ft. Gaming Arena adds to the festive spirit of Comic Con, where football fans can compete, cheer, and experience EA FC like never before. It’s a true celebration of Delhi’s vibrant fandom and the growing console esports community in India.”
The tournament will be amplified with influencer-led content, live streams and weekly updates, ensuring both players and fans remain engaged throughout the journey.
The post PlayStation and NODWIN Gaming Announce the Fourth Edition of the PlayStation India Cup Featuring EA SPORTS FC 26 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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CT Interactive has launched its premium gaming content with Novibet Greece, marking an important achievement in the company’s ongoing European expansion.
This partnership will enable Novibet’s players to enjoy CT Interactive’s versatile gaming content, which is renowned for its dynamic mechanics, innovative features, and player-centric designs. The collaboration underscores the joint commitment of CT Interactive and Novibet to deliver superior entertainment experiences that adhere to local regulatory standards.
“Launching our content exclusively on Novibet Greece is a remarkable milestone for us. It enables us to bring our top-performing games to the Greek market, and we are thrilled to enhance this with our partnership with Novibet, a brand that shares our passion for quality and innovation. Together, we aim to create a lasting impact and elevate the iGaming experience for players in Greece,” said Monika Zlateva, Chief Commercial Officer at CT Interactive.
Greek players can now enjoy a wide selection of CT Interactive’s most popular titles, including Lucky Clover, Win Storm, 40 Treasures, HOT 7s X 2 and The Big Chilli. These games have already demonstrated strong performance in other regulated markets and are expected to achieve high engagement locally as well.
With this exclusive launch in Greece, CT Interactive continues to strengthen its position across Europe by delivering localized, high-performing content that enhances player engagement and supports the market presence of its partners.
The post CT Interactive Goes Live on Novibet Greece appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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