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WTA and ITF Publish Season-wide Online Abuse and Threat Report
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and International Tennis Federation (ITF) published the first-ever season-wide report outlining the scale of abuse directed at players on social media — and are calling on the gambling industry to more effectively tackle those responsible.
The report findings are taken from Signify Group’s Threat Matrix service, which went live in January 2024, protecting players and tennis family members from targeted online hate, as well as threatening and violent direct communication. Utilising AI and human analysts — including risk and fixated threat assessment experts — the service operates across all the major social media platforms in over 40 languages. All players competing in WTA Tour and ITF World Tennis Tour events (and WTA and ITF players competing in the four Grand Slams) — c8300 players — are automatically covered by the service.
Between January to December 2024,1.6 million posts and comments were analysed by Threat Matrix AI. Analysts then verified c8000 posts/comments sent from 4200 accounts as abusive, violent or threatening. Action has been taken against the most serious and prolific of these, including 15 accounts escalated to law enforcement. During the year, 458 players were targeted with direct abuse or threat, five players received 26% of the total abuse identified, while 97 prolific accounts were responsible for 23% of all detected abuse.
Given the evidence highlighted by Threat Matrix, the tennis bodies now call for a constructive dialogue with the gambling industry to tackle the individuals that engage in prolific or highly threatening online abuse connected to sports betting.
Prolific Abuse and Angry Gamblers
• Angry gamblers sent 40% of all detected abuse across the year
• 10 prolific accounts [majority being angry gambler related] were responsible for 12% of all abuse — of these, nine have either been suspended, posts permanently deleted by the platform or the user has removed their post(s)
• Details of 39 account holders (majority angry gambler related) who sent prolific abuse have been shared with the tennis authorities and betting industry for further action
• The most prolific abusive account sent 263 abusive messages.
Action
• 15 cases of egregious and highly threatening abuse have been investigated and evidence provided to law enforcement for assessment and action — four related to Grand Slams, one from the Paris Olympic Games and 10 were from across the tours
• Of the 15 cases, three have been submitted to the FBI and 12 to other national law enforcement bodies
• Relevant account details have been shared with event security teams (both Tours and Grand Slams) to ban these individuals from access to venues and rescind tickets. This has also included threats to men’s and women’s players detected by Threat Matrix during Grand Slam events.
Direct Abuse Communication Support
The Threat Matrix service also includes support for players who receive direct abuse, threat and inappropriate communication via DMs, email and letter. Players use a designated email address to share relevant content, enabling Threat Matrix to conduct threat assessment, provide direct player advice and liaise with security bodies to manage risk.
During 2024, 56 reports of concerning communication were received from 28 players, the vast majority coming in the final quarter of the year due to heightened awareness of the service. Angry gamblers made up the vast majority of direct abuse (77%) — at a higher level compared to open-source social media (40%) — as abusers seek to cause direct emotional distress to players following lost bets. Player reported direct abuse has continued to rise in 2025 as players and agents become more aware of the support service.
Social Media Moderation
To further reduce hateful and abusive content targeting players, the WTA and ITF are also enhancing the existing Threat Matrix service to include social media moderation. Moderation allows online toxicity to be hidden or removed in real time across the majority of Social Media platforms. The service will automatically deploy across WTA and ITF official social media channels and be available to all tour players on request. The service will go live in the coming weeks.
A spokesperson for the WTA and ITF said: “Protecting players and the wider tennis family from vile online threat and abuse is a key priority for us. Today’s report covering the first year of the Threat Matrix service shows the scale of the problem and, crucially, the actions being taken to protect our athletes. From law enforcement escalation and platform intervention to banning abusers from our events, perpetrators must understand that they will face consequences for their actions.
“Given the clear evidence highlighted by Threat Matrix on the link between angry gamblers and prolific online abuse and threat, we are calling for a constructive dialogue with the gambling industry to help tackle this issue. Everyone — betting operators, social media platforms, governing bodies, players and law enforcers — has a responsibility to make the online space a safer and more positive one. We hope the gambling industry responds constructively to our call for more action on their part.”
Jessica Pegula, Member of the WTA Players’ Council, said: “Online abuse is unacceptable, and something that no player should have to endure. I welcome the work that the WTA and ITF are doing with Threat Matrix to identify and take action against the abusers, whose behavior is so often linked to gambling. But it’s not enough on its own. It’s time for the gambling industry and social media companies to tackle the problem at its source and act to protect everyone facing these threats.”
Jonathan Hirshler, CEO of Signify Group, said: “This unique dataset, covering all players across international tennis tours and Grand Slams, illustrates that a relatively small number of accounts are responsible for a significant proportion of prolific abuse and trolling. While this is deeply distressing for the athletes targeted, it means that we are able to be even more focused working with the platforms to ensure successful take down, support the tennis bodies to drive law enforcement intervention for the most egregious accounts and work with event security teams to ensure prolific abusers are unable to attend tournaments. This action-orientated approach underpins the Threat Matrix service.”
The post WTA and ITF Publish Season-wide Online Abuse and Threat Report appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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.
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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.
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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.
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