Latest News

UKGC Publishes 2024 Young People and Gambling Report

Published

2 months ago

November 12, 2024

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published its 2024 Young People and Gambling Report – its annual study into children’s and young people’s exposure to, and involvement in, all types of gambling.

The research was conducted in schools, with pupils completing online self-completion surveys in class. The study collected data from a sample of 3869 11 to 17 year olds between January and June 2024.

Headline statistics include:

• 27% of young people spent their own money on gambling in the 12 months prior to taking part in the survey

• the most common types of gambling activity that young people spent their own money on were legal or did not feature age restricted products, namely:

arcade gaming machines such as penny pushers or claw grab machines (20%)
placing a bet for money between friends or family (11%)
playing cards with friends or family for money (5%)

• 21% of young people were spending their own money on regulated forms of gambling (which includes some activities that are legal and played within licensed premises), and 15% on unregulated forms of gambling (gambling activities which fall outside the remit of the Gambling Commission)

• the proportion of young people scoring 4 or more on the DSM-IV-MR-J, representing a young person experiencing problem gambling, has seen a statistically significant increase from 0.7% in 2023 to 1.5% in 2024.

Protecting children from gambling harm is a priority for the Commission and in August it further strengthened its protections to prevent children from accessing products illegally.

From 30 August all licensees should have procedures that require their staff to check the age of any customer who appears to be under 25 years of age, rather than under 21 years of age, and all gambling land-based licensees, including smaller licensees, must carry out age verification test purchasing.

Tim Miller, Commission Executive Director for research and policy, said: “Today’s report gives us important insights into the relationship between young people and gambling.

“Where it relates to regulated forms of gambling we use the data to continuously keep under review and, where needed, strengthen the suite of protections for young people that we require gambling companies to have in place.

“However, the report also shows that young people often gamble in ways that do not require regulation, such as betting with their friends. Yet these forms of gambling can also lead to some experiencing harm. Our report points to the opportunities that parents, schools and other groups have to also help reduce gambling harm among children and young people.”

The post UKGC Publishes 2024 Young People and Gambling Report appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Imagine Live Partners with King.rs

Published

22 hours ago

December 27, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Imagine Live the live casino provider launches with Serbian brand King.rs

Imagine Live is thrilled to announce its innovative entry into the Serbia market, made possible through a strategic partnership with the operator King.rs.

The collaboration is aimed at delivering King.rs players a premium gaming experience. Two Blackjack and one Roulette table will be equipped with the latest technology, allowing seamless gameplay and interactive features catering to Serbian players’ localised preferences.

Hakob Manukyan, CEO of Imagine Live Armenia, commented: “King.rs is an established brand throughout Serbia focused on delivering exceptional products and gaming experiences by putting the player at the centre of their brand story. Imagine Live is equally committed to providing premium and customised live dealer solutions with bespoke tables and studios for our operator partners to ensure a complete brand experience that players enjoy and return, which drives deeper engagement and revenue opportunities. We look forward to supporting and growing the live dealer experience with King.rs over the coming months.”

Dragan Djordjevic, COO King, said, “Working with Imagine Live has been an absolute thrill. Their unique mix of live performances, tech, and real-time interactivity is a game-changer in entertainment. It’s exactly the kind of creative energy we love at King.rs, where we’re all about reimagining live gaming. This partnership feels like a natural fit—two teams, both passionate about pushing boundaries and creating something fresh. I can’t wait to see what we come up with together and how we’ll keep surprising and exciting players around the world”.

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Latest News

Digitain Announces New Slogan and Vision Ahead of ICE Barcelona

Published

2 days ago

December 26, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Digitain announces a bold new vision and slogan that embodies its forward-thinking approach and highlights its commitment to innovation and excellence.

Digitain, a global leader in Sportsbook and iGaming solutions for over 20 years, proudly presents its new company slogan: “BUILT TO LEAD.”. Announced ahead of ICE Barcelona 2025, this slogan highlights Digitain’s fresh perspective on its vision, positioning, strategic pillars, and essence.

Digitain’s new vision reflects its dedication and commitment to creating genuine connections, ensuring meticulous attention to detail, and maintaining a dynamic, leading-edge approach to innovation. The company’s lasting success is grounded in the strength of its partnerships, an obsession with achieving excellence, and a relentless drive to set new industry benchmarks. Guided by its strategic pillars—next-generation product innovation, unsurpassed service, industry expertise and pioneering new standards—Digitain is further solidifying its position as the trusted partner of choice for leading operators worldwide.

Aregnaz Hakobyan, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Digitain, stated: “A strong foundation and well-defined brand architecture are the cornerstones of our success and the roadmap to our future. The Brand Reboot Project was a project that we have worked for over 4 months and is more than a refresh—it’s a powerful step forward that enhances our value and clearly articulates our purpose. Our slogan,’BUILT TO LEAD.‘ encapsulates who we are and where we are heading, embodying our unwavering commitment to excellence and leadership. It also signifies that our company has reached a pivotal point—leading the iGaming and tech industry with innovation and unmatched expertise.

Our vision clearly indicates that we are shaping the future of iGaming as the leading technology giant and the partner of choice for top-tier operators globally. With unrivaled service and a passionately committed team, we are setting new industry standards, making iGaming safer and more socially accepted than ever before.”

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Latest News

North Star Network acquires Soccernet.ng to strengthen Nigerian presence

Published

2 days ago

December 26, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

North Star Network (NSN) has announced its acquisition of Soccernet.ng, a prominent Nigerian sports media platform, marking a significant expansion into the Nigerian sports scene and underscoring its ambition to solidify its footprint in the African media landscape.

Founded in 2014, Soccernet.ng has become a trusted authority on Nigerian football, providing in-depth daily coverage of local football alongside trending stories from the global soccer world. Known for its quality journalism and passionate team of football enthusiasts, the platform has achieved significant recognition, including the Sport Blog of the Year award at the Nigerian Blog Awards.

A Strategic Move into Africa

The acquisition of Soccernet.ng is part of North Star Network’s strategy to expand its portfolio in Africa. The platform joins NSN’s roster of over 30 respected sports media brands, which includes Afrik-Foot, Top Mercato, Football Whispers, Sportsmole, and Vringe.

Julien Josset, Co-founder of North Star Network, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition:

“We’re excited to welcome Soccernet.ng into the North Star Network family. Their passion for Nigerian football and commitment to quality journalism align perfectly with our global vision of bringing fans closer to the game they love.”

Preserving Soccernet.ng’s Legacy

Soccernet.ng will retain its original team of dedicated journalists, ensuring the platform’s authenticity and unique voice remain intact. The website currently engages readers not only in Nigeria but also across over 150 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Spain.

Biyi Akangbe, Founder of Soccernet.ng, reflected on the platform’s journey:

“We started as a small website 10 years ago with a passion to deliver news about Nigerian footballers to readers. We’ve since grown into a globally recognized source for Nigerian football news. This acquisition by North Star marks an exciting new chapter for our brand.”

Co-founder Lolade Adewuyi will continue to contribute to the site as a columnist, maintaining the brand’s strong connection with its loyal readership.

Expanding Global Reach

The acquisition of Soccernet.ng reinforces North Star Network’s dedication to amplifying local voices in key regions while offering unparalleled sports coverage. With its innovative strategies and growing portfolio, the group is poised to drive sustainable growth across its media brands.

North Star Network is a leading global sports media group, operating in over thirty countries and committed to delivering world-class sports content to fans worldwide.

This acquisition sets the stage for a new era in Nigerian sports journalism and highlights North Star Network’s continued efforts to connect fans to the heart of the game.

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