Increasing concerns over gambling addiction in the UK could see Boris Johnson announce a ban on betting company sponsors appearing on football shirts in the months ahead.

With a review being conducted by the government, The Telegraph report the prime minister could bring about a ban as soon as autumn, despite there being an awareness that such a move would increase pressure on the sport at a time when revenue streams have been severely hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Any decision, the report continues, will be informed by evidence of the betting industry’s influence on addiction within the sport, but the suggestion is that a shirt sponsor ban looks “increasingly likely” to happen.

Betting fell during the first lockdown as elite sport was halted. It did not, however, drop to a level many anticipated, with a surge in interest in online slots believed to have been caused by punters who would have normally wagered on football and horse racing.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is heading up the review, with the PM expected to play a key role.

Esports organisation Team Liquid has announced the extension of its 10-year partnership with gaming hardware brand Alienware. This partnership, which completed ten years, is the longest hardware partnership in esports history.

To celebrate this ten-year partnership, both companies look to push three new initiatives. To increase fan engagement, Alienware will officially sponsor Team Liquid’s new programme, Liquid+, a new programme dedicated to rewarding fans who engage with TL online. In order to support the esports teams, new technology and facility upgrades will come later this year. Lastly, the two brands will create community opportunities to help those who are underrepresented in esports.

“Alienware and Team Liquid have been partners for a decade because we dream hard and work even harder. In our next chapter, we’re going bigger than we ever have by introducing programs that contribute to fans and players, starting with our Liquid+ launch, and open up the esports industry to underrepresented voices. Our plans are bold, but so are we, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Alienware and Liquid,” Steve Arhancet, co-CEO of Team Liquid, said.

Interactive Gaming Group (IGG) has appointed Cristina Niculae as its new CEO.

Niculae was previously the chief strategy officer at GiG and, prior to that, was the company’s chief operating officer, overseeing operations in its iGaming Cloud arm.

“I am delighted to accept the role as CEO of Interactive Gaming Group and lead the company into its next phase of growth. I have been impressed by the innovative and experienced founding team and I believe in this motivated and highly skilled group of people driven by a mission to rapidly become the best streaming affiliate in the industry,” Cristina Niculae said.

Niculae sees a bright future ahead for iGaming and understands what is needed to make a company technologically and digitally superior in an industry that continues to become more crowded.

“In the casino space, rapid digitalisation and increased competition between online casinos are creating a strong value proposition for what streaming communities have to offer. Therefore, I feel inspired by the tremendous potential of Interactive Gaming Group to innovate and create long term value in this exciting space,” she said.