Latest News
Popular Gambling App Exposed Millions of Users in Massive Data Leak
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Led by Noam Rotem and Ran Locar, vpnMentor’s research team discovered a data breach on casino gambling app Clubillion.
The breach originated in a technical database built on an Elasticsearch engine and was recording the daily activities of millions of Clubillion players around the world.
Aside from leaking activity on the app, the breached database also exposed private user information.
With this information publicly available, Clubillion’s users were vulnerable to fraud and various online attacks with potentially devastating results.
Company Profile
Clubillion is a free online casino game available for iOS and Android, offering players 30+ free slot games. While each app is listed under a different developer – Ouroboros on iOS and T7 Games on Android – these are most likely owned by the same company.
Both versions of Clubillion were released in 2019 and became instant hits. Each is now ranked the #1 ‘social slots’ casino app on Google Play and the App Store, with a 4.8 star on both.
Timeline of Discovery and Owner Reaction
Sometimes, the extent of a data breach and the owner of the database are obvious, and the issue quickly resolved. But rare are these times. Most often, we need days of investigation before we understand what’s at stake or who’s leaking the data.
Understanding a breach and its potential impact takes careful attention and time. We work hard to publish accurate and trustworthy reports, ensuring everybody who reads them understands their seriousness.
Some affected parties deny the facts, disregarding our research, or playing down its impact. So, we need to be thorough and make sure everything we find is correct and accurate.
In this case, the database was built on Elasticsearch and hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS), with Clubillion’s name on its apps, and links to assets owned by the company.
Once Clubillion was confirmed as the owner of the database, we reached out to the developers. While awaiting a reply, we also contacted AWS with details of the leak. It was closed a few days later.
- Date discovered: 19th March 2020
- Date vendors contacted: 23rd March 2020
- Date of contact with AWS: 31st March 2020
- Date of Action: Approx. 5th April 2020
Example of Entries in the Database
Clubillion’s exposed database contained technical logs for millions of Clubillion users around the world, on both iOS and Android devices. Every time an individual player took any action on the app, a record was logged. Examples of records include:
- “enter game”
- “win”
- “lose”
- “update account”
- “create account”
During our investigation of the database, new entries continued to appear continuously. We estimated an average of approximately 200 million records per day – and sometimes, considerably more.
In total, this amounted to over 50GB of exposed records in the database every single day.
Within many of these records, were various forms of user Personally Identifiable Information (PII) data, including:
- IP addresses
- Email addresses
- Winnings
- Private messages
This data breach was truly global, with millions of records originating from Clubillion’s daily users all over the world. The following list is just a sample of countries affected, along with the average number of daily users from each country:
- USA – 10,000+
- UK – 2,475+
- France – 1,650+
- Israel – 408+
- Germany – 1,582+
- Spain – 1,026+
- Italy – 2,407+
- Netherlands – 622+
- Australia – 6,251+
- Canada – 7,792+
- Brazil – 3,859+
- Sweden – 191+
- Russia – 547+
Other countries affected included Uzbekistan, India, Poland, Romania, Vietnam, Lebanon, Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, Thailand, Austria, Hungry, and Latvia.
As you can see, on a single day, 10,000s of individual Clubillion players were exposed. Each one of these players could be targeted by malicious hackers for fraud and cyberattacks – along with millions more whose records were also contained in the database.
Data Breach Impact
Studies have shown that free gambling and gaming apps are especially prone to attacks and hacking from cybercriminals. They are routinely targeted for theft of private data and embedding malicious software on users’ devices.
Despite their popularity, gambling and casino apps often lack transparency, and it can be impossible to know what steps they’re taking to prevent cybercriminals successfully targeting their users.
One study of 23,000 free gambling apps found that: 3,200 posed a ‘moderate risk’ to users; 379 had known security vulnerabilities; 52 contained malicious software.
Any of these issues could be exploited to target app users in a wide range of frauds and cyberattacks, and Clubillion is no different.
With the exposed user PII and knowledge of their activity on the app, hackers could create elaborate schemes to defraud users. For example, some entries also included transaction errors for attempted card payments on Clubillion.
With the information in these transaction errors, hackers could target users with phishing campaigns, with the following aims:
- Trick them into providing their credit card details
- Trick them into providing additional PII to be used against them in further fraud
- Clicking a link that embeds malware, spyware, or ransomware onto their device.
If cybercriminals used Clubillion to embed malware or similar onto a user’s phone, they could potentially hack other apps, access files stored on the device, make calls, and send texts from the hacked device. They could even access a user’s phone contacts and steal the PII data of their friends and family.
Worse still, as people across the globe now find themselves under quarantine or self-isolation, as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the impact of a leak like this is potentially even more significant.
Clubillion stands to gain many new users, along with regular users playing more frequently. Hackers will be aware of this and looking for opportunities to exploit any vulnerabilities in the data security of such a massively popular app.
Had criminal hackers discovered Clubillion’s database, they could have targeted millions of people around the world, with devastating results.
Impact on Clubillion and it’s Developers
The most immediate risk for Clubillion is the loss of players. Data security is a growing concern for everyone these days, and this leak could turn many players off the app. Clubillion is not unique, and players have plenty of other choices for free gambling apps.
With fewer players, Clubillion will lose advertising revenue and reduced profits.
As many of Clubillion’s players reside within the EU, the app is under the jurisdiction of GDPR. The rules of GDPR also apply to apps, and Clubillion will need to take specific actions to ensure the regulatory body in charge doesn’t reprimand it.
Finally, Clubillion could also potentially be removed from Google Play and the App Store. Both Apple and Google are clamping down on apps that pose a risk to their users, removing apps embedded with malware, and taking data leaks much more seriously.
Each of these outcomes has a different likelihood of happening, but they would all negatively impact Clubillion’s revenue and business.
Advice from the Experts
Clubillion’s developers could have easily avoided this leak if they had taken some basic security measures to protect the database. These include, but are not limited to:
- Securing their servers.
- Implementing proper access rules.
- Never leaving a system that doesn’t require authentication open to the internet.
Any company can replicate the same steps, no matter its size.
For a more in-depth guide on how to protect your business, check out our guide to securing your website and online database from hackers.
For Clubillion Users
If you play on Clubillion and are concerned about how this breach might impact you, contact the app’s developers directly to find out what steps it’s taking to protect your data.
To learn about data vulnerabilities in general, read our complete guide to online privacy.
It shows you the many ways cybercriminals target internet users, and the steps you can take to stay safe.
How and Why We Discovered the Breach
The vpnMentor research team discovered the breach in Clubillion’s database as part of a huge web mapping project. Our researchers use port scanning to examine particular IP blocks and test different systems for weaknesses or vulnerabilities. They examine each weakness for any data being leaked.
Our team was able to access this database because it was completely unsecured and unencrypted.
Whenever we find a data breach, we use expert techniques to verify the owner of the database, usually a commercial company.
As ethical hackers, we’re obliged to inform a company when we discover flaws in their online security. We reached out to Clubillion’s developers, not only to let them know about the vulnerability but also to suggest ways in which they could make their system secure.
These ethics also mean we carry a responsibility to the public. Clubillion users must be aware of a data breach that exposes so much of their sensitive data.
The purpose of this web mapping project is to help make the internet safer for all users.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Popular Gambling App Exposed Millions of Users in Massive Data Leak
At EvenBet Gaming, we see firsthand how the marketing landscape is changing. Insights from our iGaming Future 2026 report show that in 2025, success comes from connection, not noise.
As regulations tighten, acquisition costs rise, and audiences scatter across platforms, the brands that win are those that blend precision with personality. Today’s players and partners expect authenticity over aggression and storytelling over sales pitches. Campaigns are no longer about mass impressions but about micro-moments – tailored, data-driven interactions that feel personal, even at scale.
The winners listen first, analyze second, and act third – turning insight into engagement. In this landscape, connection is the foundation of sustainable growth.
The Split Game: B2B vs. B2C
In B2B, the battleground is trust. CEOs and decision-makers are drowning in noise – from events to endless newsletters. What cuts through? Case studies that show ROI, product demos that feel real, and personal networks built at ICE or SiGMA. Social media remains the undisputed king here: 49% of iGaming executives use it as their primary info source, followed by in-person networking and industry events. Long-form content still works – when it’s insightful, not promotional. To stand out in B2B marketing, brands should focus on:
- Building thought leadership through expert commentary and research-backed insights that prove credibility;
- Nurturing long-term relationships via community-led webinars, roundtables, and co-marketing projects that drive collaboration;
- Leveraging data storytelling – turning complex metrics into simple, visual narratives that help decision-makers act fast.
B2C, by contrast, is all about emotion and immediacy – but with a sharper distinction between markets and business models. The latest EvenBet Gaming Social Media Report shows that while short-form and community-driven content remains key, the dominance of platforms differs markedly. In Europe – LinkedIn leads the way as a professional and networking hub, reflecting a B2B-oriented focus on authority building, lead generation, and industry-specific engagement. In Asia – Facebook and Instagram dominate, highlighting a strategy centered on community connection, targeted advertising, and broad audience engagement, with Telegram also playing a significant role. For B2C operators – visual storytelling and entertainment-led platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok continue to drive emotional engagement, while for B2B providers – LinkedIn holds an undisputed lead, supported by Instagram and Telegram as complementary channels. The formula, therefore, is not simply to be social-first, but to be strategically social – prioritizing community and visual impact in B2C, and credibility and professional engagement in B2B.
AI and Automation – The New Marketers
According to EvenBet’s iGaming Future 2026 report, AI has moved from buzzword to backbone – redefining how brands attract, convert, and retain players. Predictive analytics now segment audiences before login, while machine learning powers adaptive CRM systems that personalize offers and retention bonuses in real time. In marketing operations, AI delivers measurable impact through:
- Dynamic pricing and bonus optimization – adjusting rewards by player value and engagement;
- Content intelligence – automating localization and campaign creation, cutting production time by up to 60%;
- Ad fraud prevention – identifying fake traffic before it drains budgets;
- Predictive churn analysis – triggering personalized retention actions;
- Voice and visual recognition – tracking live reactions and sentiment to optimize creative on the fly.
In B2B, AI turns marketing from broadcast to conversation – analyzing partner behavior, flagging high-value leads, and automating follow-ups. The brands that master real-time data interpretation lead the race. In iGaming, AI doesn’t just predict behavior – it shapes it.
Social Channels – The Real Arena
Social platforms have evolved far beyond advertising spaces. They’ve become the central nervous system of iGaming marketing. In 2025, social media is a living ecosystem where customer acquisition, brand positioning, community building, and market research all merge. Every platform has its rhythm and audience psychology; successful brands know how to play them like instruments in the same orchestra.
Whether a B2B partnership or a B2C retention campaign, the rule is simple: go where your audience lives, speak their language, and deliver value before the pitch. How each key platform shapes the iGaming marketing mix? Read here.
LinkedIn – the B2B Heartbeat
This is where credibility is built and deals are born. For iGaming providers, affiliates, and tech companies, LinkedIn serves as the top channel for partnerships, thought leadership, and lead generation. Sharing industry insights, case studies, and event takeaways reinforces authority and keeps brands visible among decision-makers. Paid targeting tools also allow for pinpoint precision, ensuring that every ad or article reaches the right vertical – from operators to regulators.
YouTube & Twitch – Where Entertainment Meets Education
As highlighted in EvenBet’s iGaming Future 2026 report, streaming has become a key growth channel for iGaming brands. YouTube anchors long-form storytelling – developer insights, product demos, and CEO interviews that build credibility. According to the EvenBet Gaming Social Media Report, YouTube accounts for 14% in Europe and 15% in Asia, showing near-equal relevance across regions and reinforcing its universal value for both markets.
Twitch, mentioned in iGaming Future 2026 alongside YouTube Live and Kick, plays a pivotal role in real-time engagement – driving live gameplay, poker tournaments, and influencer collaborations that enhance transparency and community connection. While no percentage data is provided for Twitch, the report emphasizes streaming as a natural fit for gambling content and audience interaction.
Together, these platforms turn audiences into participants – transforming content from promotion into experience.
TikTok & Instagram – Short, Raw, and Honest
Authenticity wins here. These platforms thrive on short-form, story-driven content that prioritizes emotion over polish. According to the EvenBet Gaming Social Media Report (p. 58), Instagram ranks second in both regions – 22% in Europe and 20% in Asia – while TikTok shows stronger traction in Asia (9%) than in Europe (5%), underscoring its growing influence among younger, mobile-first audiences.
Behind-the-scenes clips, quick tips, and relatable humor consistently outperform corporate messaging. Interactive ad formats like reels and hashtag challenges help iGaming brands spark viral loops, amplify influencer reach, and turn curiosity into action.
In a mobile-first world, these platforms don’t just advertise – they convert. The brands that master them know one truth: social is the marketplace, the focus group, and the loyalty engine all at once.
Customer Access and Personalization
Today’s players expect the brand to recognize them before signing in. The data backs it up: operators using personalized onboarding see up to 37% higher retention. Hybrid campaigns – connecting online and live play – are rising fast. A push notification might lead to an app bonus, unlocking a live event seat. That seamless loop is where loyalty lives. For iGaming operators, personalization now stretches far beyond “Hello, [Name]”:
- Behavioral segmentation uses AI to analyze time-of-day habits, game preferences, and betting velocity – letting brands tailor every interaction, from welcome bonuses to tournament invites;
- Cross-channel identity mapping ensures players get a consistent experience across web, app, email, and live venues – no duplicate offers, no irrelevant messages;
- Progressive profiling builds player personas gradually through engagement, balancing data collection with trust. This creates a 360° view without overwhelming the user with long forms;
- Experience-based incentives are replacing static bonuses. For example, completing a “10-hand challenge” online could unlock real-world prizes or exclusive event tickets.
What Next?
As highlighted in EvenBet’s iGaming Future 2026 report, the next phase of iGaming marketing – especially in B2B – is built on access, insight, and shared growth. Partners no longer want to be sold to; they want to collaborate, learn, and co-create. Loyalty now comes from ecosystems of mutual value, not discounts or outreach volume. Next-gen B2B engagement revolves around:
- Micro-communities on Slack, Discord, or LinkedIn – invite-only spaces where suppliers, affiliates, and operators exchange insights and form strategic alliances;
- Account-based marketing (ABM) powered by AI – integrating CRM and social data to tailor outreach, improving conversion rates by up to 50%;
- Virtual demos and co-branded webinars – frictionless entry points for collaboration that combine live interaction with analytics-driven follow-up;
- Shared data dashboards – transparency as the new trust currency, providing partners with real-time access to KPIs and campaign metrics.
In both B2C and B2B, the rule holds: the closer you get to your audience or partner, the harder it is for them to leave.
Innovation: Beyond Buzzwords
Gamification has become the universal language of engagement – missions, badges, leaderboards, loyalty loops. AI adds the adaptive layer; players evolve in real time. This same logic applies in marketing: adaptive storytelling that shifts with user behavior. The future? Predictive personalization. The line between “targeting” and “understanding” is getting thinner, and the best marketers are crossing it first. The new generation of gamified marketing goes beyond points and badges – it builds ecosystems of continuous engagement:
| Category | Tool / Mechanism | Description & Benefits |
| B2C (Players) | Dynamic Missions | AI-driven missions that adapt to player behavior in real time – e.g., switching from “daily spins” to “multi-table hands” based on user habits. Keeps engagement personal and relevant. |
| Reward Tiers & Progression Paths | Data-driven systems that reward consistency, not just spend. Players advance through experience-based milestones, improving long-term retention. | |
| Social Competition | Leaderboards, team missions, and community milestones create peer motivation. Increases engagement by up to 40% vs. solo play. | |
| Narrative Gamification | Marketing campaigns unfold as storylines – every message or promo feels like a new chapter in the player’s journey. Builds emotional attachment. | |
| AR & VR Integration | Combines real-world activity (QR scans, event participation) with digital rewards, creating immersive cross-channel brand experiences. | |
| Predictive Personalization | AI anticipates player mood and intent, adapting visuals, tone, and offers before behavior shifts. Moves from reactive to proactive marketing. | |
| B2B (Partners) | Partner Scoreboards | Tracks campaign performance – traffic, conversion, retention. Encourages friendly competition and higher partner productivity. |
| Gamified Learning Platforms | Turns product training and onboarding into missions, quizzes, and leaderboards. Boosts learning retention and team motivation. | |
| Incentive Ecosystems | Partners earn tiered rewards – access to beta tools, co-marketing funds, or exclusive insights – based on measurable performance metrics. | |
| Community Challenges | Affiliates or resellers compete in group KPIs (e.g., “Top Q3 Converters”). Builds engagement and shared achievement culture. | |
| AI Engagement Analytics | AI monitors partner engagement levels, offering personalized feedback, goal suggestions, and reward triggers automatically. |
Ultimately, gamification in iGaming marketing has shifted from “adding fun” to engineering motivation. It’s about designing systems where engagement becomes the most natural move. When rewards, progress, and storytelling align seamlessly with user behavior, participation stops feeling like marketing and starts feeling like entertainment. The brands that master this balance turn every interaction into a self-sustaining loop of curiosity, reward, and loyalty – where players don’t just play the game, they live inside it.
Final Hand
In 2025, iGaming marketing is a blend of human intuition and machine precision. The era of mass messaging is over – success now means balancing data with emotion and automation with authenticity. In B2B, growth comes from trust, transparency, and measurable ROI rather than lead volume. In B2C, players expect instant personalization, dynamic engagement, and brands that speak their language – making AI-driven personalization and social-first storytelling essentials, not extras.
The strongest brands will merge both worlds, using AI to amplify empathy and data to sharpen creativity. In a market flooded with content, relevance is survival – and trust is the true currency of differentiation.
Reading Time: < 1 minute
This Halloween season, GR8 Tech dares the iGaming world to face its darkest fears. The company has launched an interactive campaign titled “What Scares Operators Most?”, inviting operators to explore the challenges that haunt their daily operations—and to discover how the right solution can turn those fears into fuel for growth.
The mysterious, immersive journey highlights iGaming’s most chilling pain points, and each revealed fear leads to actionable insights and practical solutions, guiding operators toward the tools and strategies that keep their businesses bulletproof, no matter what monsters lurk in the data.
“Fear is a powerful teacher,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech. “Every operator faces moments that test their systems and their strategy. Our Halloween campaign acknowledges those fears and shows that with the right partner, they’re entirely conquerable.”
On the GR8 Tech website, visitors can flip cards, uncover their personalized iGaming “fear,” access GR8 Tech’s expert take on how to overcome it, and view materials that discuss the problem in more detail. They can also share their results or book a meeting to discuss real-world solutions.
Operators brave enough to fight their fears are encouraged to continue the conversation in person at SiGMA Central Europe 2025, Booth 5028. Because in the world of iGaming, even the scariest nightmares can turn into winning stories.
The post GR8 Tech Challenges Operators to Face Their Fears This Halloween appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Relax Gaming is opening the hatch to Frank’s Diner, an apocalyptic slot where Split Symbols, reel multipliers, and Gold Wild re-spins deliver the potential for sizzling wins. Split Symbols take centre stage, with two or three identical single symbols landing on the same reel, forming double or triple stacks that immediately multiply the number of ways to win.
BC.GAME has released Tim & Larry, a new in-house developed slot combining traditional video slot mechanics with a cartoon-inspired theme centered around a kitchen standoff between a cat and a mouse. The game features high volatility, a theoretical RTP of 96.91%, and a capped maximum payout of 15,000× the base bet.
Inspired Entertainment, Inc., is excited to announce the launch of Werewolf It Up! featuring Cash Bank and Zeus Legends of Olympus featuring Triple Hit Combo across the UK and Malta iGaming markets. Packed with captivating visuals and engaging gameplay, this online and mobile slot duo is designed to deliver strong results for operators and offers the best in iGaming entertainment for players.
TaDa Gaming invites players to spin for royal rewards in Crown of Fortune, a vibrant 5×3 slot featuring expanding Wilds, locking respins and dazzling payout potential of up to 1000x the bet. Blending nostalgic fruit slot charm with polished, modern mechanics, Crown of Fortune captures the timeless allure of classic gameplay—enhanced by Wild-driven action.
SlotMatrix has launched its latest exclusive title, Aphrodite’s Fortune, an enchanting slot that invites players into the goddess’s golden garden of love and wealth. Set among the clouds of Mount Olympus, Aphrodite’s Fortune celebrates beauty, fortune, and celestial power in a stunning 10,000-ways-to-win format.
Have you got what it takes to take on the Prize Ladder and come out on top? That’s the question players must answer before taking on the latest classic slot title from in-demand content house, Northern Lights Gaming. Bright lights and big wins are the order of the day in Prize Ladder, a game-show style blockbuster that promises twists and turns from the very first game round to the last.
Gaming Corps is preparing to enchant players this October with the launch of its latest slot, 3 Pots of Potions. Arriving just ahead of Halloween, the high-volatility release combines imaginative design with feature-rich gameplay and the potential to conjure wins of up to 10,000x the stake.
Get ready for a spine-tingling splash with Fish Tales: Halloween from Booming Games! This spooky twist on the beloved Fish Tales: Monster Bass takes you to a haunted underwater world where ghoulish fish and creepy cash prizes await. The beloved spook-tacular mechanics remain intact, but with an eerie makeover—fog-drenched waters, zombified fish, and a fang-tastic new design.
Evoplay has released Young Buffalo Coins, the second instalment in its popular Young Buffalo series. Following the success of the original title, the new game takes players back to the wild prairies for another action-packed adventure, combining fast-paced gameplay, sticky coins, and big jackpot opportunities.
Online casino operators can give their players the fright of their lives with Midnight Queen, the latest slot launch from in-demand iGaming content provider, ICONIC21. Midnight Queen is a Vampire-themed slot that’s perfect for entertaining players during the Halloween season and beyond.
TaDa Gaming has returned to the savannah with intriguing new release Golden Explorer. A rich trove of multiplier gemstones sparkling with additional random multiplier bonuses can burst on to the screen, enhancing the win potential and delivering vivid and exciting gameplay for 96.99% and a max win of 30,000x.
To celebrate the launch of Reactoonz 100, Play’n GO’s iconic slot character Garga reached a max altitude of 37,753 metres (117,300 ft) in a two-hour flight to set a world record and become the first slot character ever in space. Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced that one of the most iconic characters in slots, Garga, has set a world record by becoming the first slot character in space.
Tom Horn Gaming is expanding its portfolio with the release of 243 Zeus Fruits, a slot that combines two proven player favourites – fruit slots and Greek mythology. The game delivers short feature cycles, multipliers, and higher stakes through the supplier’s QuickX mechanic.
Amusnet invites players into a realm of mystery and midnight thrills with Vampire Dice, its latest Online Casino portfolio addition. This captivating dice-themed game combines gothic elegance, thrilling features and an immersive atmosphere where every roll reveals secrets of the night.
SlotMatrix has embraced the Halloween spirit with its latest exclusive release, Ghost Pigger. Combining high energy rhythm and rewarding gameplay in a disco-fuelled haunted house, Ghost Pigger makes for a truly unique slot experience. The 96.09% RTP, medium volatility, and maximum win potential of up to 13,712x keep the players engaged.
The post Week 43/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News3 months ago
Light & Wonder to Participate in the 2025 Australasian Gaming Expo
-
Latest News2 months ago
ReferOn Shortlisted for Acquisition & Retention Partner of the Year at SBC Lisbon 2025
-
Latest News3 months ago
Gavin Hamilton Joins Sports & Wellbeing Analytics as Chairman to Accelerate Global Expansion
-
Latest News2 months ago
Duels for Friends in Trophy Hunter. Invite your friends and create a shared space for fun and competition.
-
Latest News2 months ago
BC.GAME Launches “Nezha” Slot with Up to 46,656 Ways to Win and 10,000x Max Payout
-
Latest News3 months agoUzbekistan Introduces Penalties for Illegal Gambling Operations
-
Latest News4 weeks ago
Announcement: 25th September 2025
-
Latest News2 months ago
NODWIN Gaming Acquires Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Stake in Evo; Becomes Majority Holder
You must be logged in to post a comment Login