Latest News
New ESRI Research Commissioned by the GRAI Suggests Gambling Offers Lure People to Bet More, Particularly People at Risk of Problem Gambling
A new study commissioned by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) /Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and undertaken by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows that betting and gambling companies offering special offers or inducements encourages people to gamble more than they would otherwise, even when the odds offered are “bad”.
Special offers or inducements, such as free bets and moneyback guarantees are regularly used by gambling companies in their marketing campaigns. The study found that vulnerable people such as those at higher risk of becoming problem gamblers, were most at risk of gambling more, and losing more, as a result of being offered inducements.
In a controlled experiment run with a sample of 622 men under 40, participants, were given money to place up to six realistic bets on the Euro 2024 football tournament.
Half of the participants were randomly selected and shown offers of free bets and moneyback guarantees on some bets. which caused these participants to spend over 10% more than those who were not given inducements. The inducements also reduced the number of participants opting not to bet by nearly half. Even inducement bets that were designed as “bad”, showing odds far below market rates, were undertaken by participants in this group, who were three times more likely to spend money on “bad” bets.
These findings illustrate the harm inducements cause, particularly to those who are susceptible to gambling harm.
Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the legislation which underpins the work of the GRAI, inducements or encouragement to gamble further will soon be an offence and licensed operators will no longer be allowed to offer free bets which are targeted at individuals and specific groups. Multiple European countries have also begun to regulate inducements.
Participants were surveyed after the study on their knowledge and understanding of inducements. Even amongst regular betters, most did not know that there were restrictions on free bets and that they would not receive their stake back if they won a free bet.
Paul Quinn, Chairperson of the GRAI, said: “I very much welcome this research from the ESRI examining the impact of inducements to gamble on gambling behaviours. Having a clear evidence base is critically important to the GRAI as we commence our work in regulating the gambling industry. This latest research will help inform that work and in educating the public on this matter.
“This study clearly indicates the damaging effect of certain practices around inducements. It underlines the importance of the provisions of the Gambling Regulation Act in limiting a person’s exposure to inducements to gamble. We look forward to working with Minister O’Callaghan in addressing the issue as we implement the new regulations.”
Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI, said: “The ESRI’s findings confirm that not only is the general public not aware of the dangers associated with inducements to bet, but also that the impact of these inducements go beyond simple marketing by betting companies.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that gambling operators do not encourage excessive or compulsive gambling behaviour, and that we protect vulnerable people in our society, such as children and young people and those more likely to experience gambling harm.
“The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 sets out obligations for licensees in the way in which inducements can be offered, including a ban on targeted inducements, and the findings of this study affirm these measures.”
Diarmaid Ó Ceallaigh, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Behavioural Research Unit, ESRI, said: “Our findings imply that gambling offers aren’t merely marketing tools, but pose a real risk of financial harm, particularly among vulnerable groups.
“The results support the case for stricter regulation of gambling offers in Ireland, following steps already taken in other European countries, such as banning sign-up bonuses, restricting offers to at-risk individuals, and capping their value.”
The post New ESRI Research Commissioned by the GRAI Suggests Gambling Offers Lure People to Bet More, Particularly People at Risk of Problem Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Gamblers Connect, a leading and trusted iGaming Medium & Affiliate website for the iGaming sector, is excited to announce its latest strategic partnership with a true pillar of the European gaming industry: IZIGROUP.
Based in Malta, IZIGROUP is one of the most respected and established operators in the iGaming world. Its influence is immense, serving as the exclusive concessionaire for the National Lottery of Malta through their subsidiary, National Lottery plc. They also operate Malta’s most iconic land-based casino, the Dragonara Casino, a name synonymous with quality and heritage since 1964. The group also has a sports and casino betting platform, IZIBET.
But this partnership isn’t just about land-based prestige. IZIGROUP has powerfully translated its decades of experience into the digital realm with a formidable iGaming presence. This includes their flagship online brands, Dragonara Online Casino and IZIBET which are rapidly expanding beyond Malta into international markets.
Gamblers Connect’s mission has always been to act as the essential bridge, connecting its community with the most trusted, innovative, and responsible operators in the industry.
This partnership is a perfect embodiment of that goal. IZIGROUP’s entire operational philosophy is built on the same values: a deep commitment to safe, responsible, and engaging gaming experiences.
With €920 million in total gaming turnover last year and a clear strategy focused on digital innovation, IZIGROUP represents the gold standard of a modern, successful, and ethical gaming operator.
Gamblers Connect is proud to feature IZIGROUP’s brands and to provide users with a direct connection to their world-class portfolio. This collaboration strengthens the network and, more importantly, reinforces a promise to only partner with the best.
Gregory Busuttil, Acquisition & Retention Executive at IZIGROUP, commented: “This feels like a true partnership, not just another campaign — and that’s what sets it apart.”
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder & CEO at Gamblers Connect, stated: “Our collaboration with IZIGROUP marks an important milestone for Gamblers Connect. Joining forces with a reputable Malta-based brand allows us to combine credibility with reach, delivering stronger exposure, better performance and a more mature presence in the industry. We see this partnership not as a campaign, but as the beginning of a long-term strategic relationship.”
The post IZIGROUP and Gamblers Connect Enter a New Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Enter a mystical realm where three dragon eggs hold the power to unlock legendary fortunes. In Brave Dragon, you control a special Lucky Cell that you can place manually anywhere on the reels for each spin. When fuchsia, red, or blue coins land in your Lucky Cell, they instantly summon mighty dragons that boost prizes, multiply rewards, and increase coin values. Experience up to three bonus rounds running simultaneously on their own reel sets, while landing a single MEGA or SUPER symbol in your Lucky Cell awards the respective jackpot. Play Brave Dragon exclusively on the FANTASY cabinet!
FANTASY GAMES. FANTASY EXPERIENCE.
Stay tuned—more legendary releases are about to hatch!
The post ZITRO PRESENTS NEW SLOT “BRAVE DRAGON”: PICK YOUR LUCK AND BRING DRAGONS TO LIFE! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
A Splash of Color and a Burst of Fun with Amusnet’s newest release – Bulky Fruits Buy Bonus
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Amusnet brings a burst of color and excitement with Bulky Fruits Buy Bonus, a fresh twist on the classic fruit theme. This lively new release packs plenty of flavor, energy, and fun, delivering nonstop entertainment and juicy surprises at every turn.
Bright, bold, and brimming with action, Bulky Fruits Buy Bonus brings players right into the heart of the game with its Buy Bonus feature – letting them jump straight into bonus rounds without waiting. The familiar Wild symbol boosts rewards, while the Dollar Sign and Star Scatters light up the screen with chances for extra wins and special features.
And when luck decides to shine, the Jackpot Cards feature reveals hidden surprises and jackpots, adding even more layers of excitement. Together with Free Spins and Lucky Spin, every moment is filled with color, anticipation, and a splash of juicy fun.
Are you ready to spin your way through a world bursting with flavor?
Buy Bonus
Activate the Buy Bonus feature at any time to instantly access exciting bonus rounds.
Free Spins
Trigger Free Spins for additional opportunities to explore the fruity adventure and uncover bigger rewards.
Lucky Spin
The Lucky Spin feature adds unexpected twists, delivering surprises that keep every spin interesting.
Wild Symbol
Substitutes for other symbols to enhance combinations and increase wins.
Scatter Symbols
Dollar Sign and Star symbols help trigger special features and unlock extra prizes.
Gamble
Play the game and multiply your 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 A Splash of Color and a Burst of Fun with Amusnet’s newest release – Bulky Fruits Buy Bonus appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
IZIGROUP and Gamblers Connect Enter a New Partnership
ZITRO PRESENTS NEW SLOT “BRAVE DRAGON”: PICK YOUR LUCK AND BRING DRAGONS TO LIFE!
A Splash of Color and a Burst of Fun with Amusnet’s newest release – Bulky Fruits Buy Bonus
Spinomenal unearths its new hit: Egyptian Rebirth – Hold & Hit
Marketing the Game: How iGaming Brands Win Players and Partners in 2025
GR8 Tech Challenges Operators to Face Their Fears This Halloween
Week 43/2025 slot games releases
Dream Play Unleashes Fun`n Games — Where Innovation Meets the Wheel of Fortune
Winandyou is Heading to SiGMA, Meet Us at Stand 3229!
Gainr Acquires JanusDeFi to Power AI Stablecoin Factory and Protocol Tokenomics
-
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 News3 months agoUzbekistan Introduces Penalties for Illegal Gambling Operations
-
Latest News2 months ago
BC.GAME Launches “Nezha” Slot with Up to 46,656 Ways to Win and 10,000x Max Payout
-
Latest News1 month 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