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Advertising and gambling: the ANJ launches a broad public consultation of different stakeholders

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During the UEFA European Football Championship, some abuses had been noted concerning advertising pressure from sports betting operators. These abuses are likely to call the regulatory model implemented for 10 years into question. That is the reason why the ANJ launches a broad public consultation on gambling operators’ practices in terms of advertising.

Gambling operators’ advertising practices questioned during the European Football Championship

In France, the online gambling market is strictly regulated because gambling is not like any other product; it carries important risks of abuse (over-indebtedness), or of public health (addiction and isolation) for the player and those around him. That is the reason why gambling needs to stay a recreational and measured activity. Though, the advertising pressure that has been observed during the European Football Championship, the targeting of young audiences, as well as messages that maintain the illusion of easy money are particularly problematic.

According to a Harris Interactive study* conducted during the European Football Championship for the ANJ, more than half of the people who had seen sports betting’s ads feels that they are too numerous, and close to eight French people out of ten who had seen these ads consider that they can contain a risk of addiction.

Faced with the same situation, some European States have already taken measures in order to limit the quantity of advertising or to provide a stricter framework of its content.

The public consultation process

It is in this context that the ANJ has decided to organise a broad public consultation on the advertising practices of gambling operators (in particular for sports betting). This consultation, which will take place in September and October, has the following objectives:

  • To produce a situational analysis on how gambling ads are perceived by different actors and the risks associated with them;
  • To evaluate the ANJ advertising regulation tools and, where required, to imagine additional avenues that would enable the ANJ to better ensure compliance with the principle of recreational gambling that underpins the French model, particularly with regard to young audiences and vulnerable populations.

General public sequences

  • An online questionnaire is available on the ANJ website from 20 September for a period of one month. It allows to all those who wish to provide a feedback of their impressions and suggestions;
  • Two citizen dialogue workshops will be organised at a local level to try to assess the social acceptability of advertising and to reflect on possible recommendations.
  • A debate focused on the issue of young people targeting.

Sequences with professional stakeholders

  • A call for contributions from professional stakeholders (gambling operators, health professionals, competent public authorities, care associations, etc.);
  • A debate at a local level allowing to cross the point of views of different communities concerned by the subject (gambling operators, addiction professionals, academics, educational community, etc.);
  • A workshop co-organised by the ANJ and the ARPP (Professional Advertising Regulation Authority) gathering gambling operators and advertising stakeholders.

The various contributions obtained during this consultation and the synthesis that the ANJ will make of them will enable it to build common diagnoses, then to formalise guidelines relating to gambling advertising and, where required, to propose by the end of the year new measures to public authorities likely to enforce the recreational gambling model.

For Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, ANJ Chairwoman: “In order to question the permanence of a consensus around the French gambling model and the evolutions that could possibly be made in terms of advertising, the ANJ has chosen to favour the path of a consultation open to all publics. Indeed, gambling advertising concerns us all: players, non-players, parents, educators, operators, etc. Everyone will be able to express their views on the acceptable balance to find between gambling advertising and the maintenance of a recreational gambling. It will then be up to the regulator to make balanced and effective recommendations, based on a social pact shared by all“.

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Slotsoo Awards 2025: Celebrating Excellence Across Casinos and Game Providers

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Summer is here and it is time for Slotsoo’s signature celebration of the iGaming industry. The Slotsoo Casino Awards return for its third edition, continuing the tradition of highlighting operators who excel in delivering a top-tier player experience. This year also marks an exciting expansion with the inaugural Slotsoo Game Provider Awards, giving long-overdue recognition to the creators of great slots.

The New Game Provider Awards and the Winners

Game providers are sometimes overshadowed by casinos, but in reality, both are equally important to the online casino experience. That’s why Slotsoo is proud to shine a spotlight on the studios behind the reels. The winners of Slotsoo’s first provider-focused awards were announced on 24 July 2025, and the honors went to:

  • The Machine MVP – Pragmatic Play
  • Bonus Buyer – Bullshark Games
  • Volatility Virtuoso – Wazdan
  • Jackpot Jumbo – Mancala Gaming
  • Symphony Spinner – Gamzix
  • Reel Renegade – Nolimit City
  • Promising Prodigy – Slammer Studios

Please visit the Slotsoo Game Provider Awards page for detailed descriptions of each trophy and the motivations behind the winners.

The Anatomy of Slotsoo’s Trophies: Where Fun Meets Serious Recognition

At Slotsoo, each trophy is whimsical by design but grounded in real player values, making the Slotsoo Awards both entertaining and insightful. Every category has a clear purpose, recognizing what truly matters in iGaming today.

At the core of each awards lineup is a main trophy: The Gambling GOAT honors the top-performing casino operator, while The Machine MVP celebrates the best overall game provider. Surrounding these main awards are a collection of supporting trophies, spotlighting specific areas of excellence, from fast withdrawals and fun bonuses to volatility and winning potential.

These award categories offer a chance for actors who crush it in a certain area to be recognized, even if they don’t dominate across the board. Just like other iGaming awards, Slotsoo includes a category for newcomers, encouraging fresh talent and pushing established names to keep innovating.

The timing of the awards is also a deliberate choice. Markus Björk, head writer at Slotsoo, explains the team’s reasoning:

“After a hectic Winter and Spring packed with iGaming events, June and July offer a rare chance for the industry to slow down and reflect on the year so far. Let’s enjoy the cucumber season and appreciate what’s been achieved. This is when you can harvest the rewards of your hard work before autumn arrives with new challenges and opportunities.”

The Winning Casino Operators 2025

The Slotsoo Casino Awards 2025 took place in June, and these were the seven winners:

  • The Gambling GOAT – Betizy
  • The Bonus Buff – Sugarino
  • The Loyalty Lord – Wisho
  • The Withdrawal Wizard – Vauhdikas
  • The Gamification Guru – Arctic Casino
  • The Payout Professor – Wolfy Casino
  • The Noisy Newcomer – Lunar Spins

This was the third time Slotsoo held the casino awards for its English-language site targeting the EU market in general. During the same period, the dedicated awards for the Finnish market, Slotsoo Kasinogaala 2025, celebrated its second year. These awards consist of seven trophies equivalent to the English ones, plus an eighth trophy dedicated to the casino operator with the best slot streaming offering.

The Nordic country is undergoing big changes, with a new gambling legislation and a licensing system planned to be introduced by 1 January 2027. The future will tell how this will affect the structure and categories of the awards.

The post Slotsoo Awards 2025: Celebrating Excellence Across Casinos and Game Providers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SOFTSWISS Launches First South African Project with Mzansibet

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SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, proudly announces the launch of its major South African project with Mzansibet. It marks the first project in the country to utilise both the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook and the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform.

According to the recently released South Africa: iGaming Market Overview 2025 by SOFTSWISS, the country’s iGaming sector is growing at an impressive annual rate of 20–25%, driven by increasing mobile penetration. In line with this trend and evolving player needs, SOFTSWISS strongly focuses on mobile optimisation across its platforms, enabling seamless and enjoyable gaming experiences for Mzansibet players.

The launch in South Africa, ensuring full compliance with local technical standards, required meticulous preparation. SOFTSWISS products – including its sports betting software and online casino platform – underwent rigorous certification with Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), one of the most reputable and globally recognised independent testing laboratories in the iGaming industry. Following this process, the solutions were officially approved for local operation by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board – a respected and influential regulator in the region – affirming the high quality and compliance of SOFTSWISS software.

Max Trafimovich, International Non-Executive Director at SOFTSWISS, shares: “Mzansibet entered the market with a bold ambition to become a top-tier brand – and we are not only proud to support that vision from day one, but also well-equipped to ensure its sustainable growth. Leveraging our global and local expertise, we provide the technical, business, and service tools necessary for a smooth launch and scalable development. This is made possible thanks to our robust and stable architecture with 99.999% uptime and a flexible platform ecosystem. In addition, the brand launched a nationwide TV advertising campaign and has already attracted tens of thousands of players across the country – a powerful testament to its growing presence and trust.”

In addition to backend certification, the SOFTSWISS team invested heavily in frontend localisation to align with the partner’s vision and market requirements. The Mzansibet project has been fully adapted to meet South African player behaviour and betting patterns.

 

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS Launches First South African Project with Mzansibet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Lee Hills Joins the International Association of Gaming Advisors

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SolutionsHub is proud to announce that its CEO, Lee Hills, has officially joined the International Association of Gaming Advisors (“IAGA”), the globally respected organization connecting the world’s leading legal, financial, and regulatory advisors through shared experiences and education to influence the advancement of global gaming.

As Director of SolutionsHub, he has been instrumental in establishing the company as a leading authority in licensing and regulatory compliance for innovative and emerging tech businesses. Under his leadership, SolutionsHub has become renowned for its deep understanding of complex regulatory and operational matters affecting gaming business.

“I am delighted to be joining IAGA, an organization I’ve long admired,” said Lee Hills. “This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with some of the most respected minds in the field, and to contribute insight from our work at the cutting edge of iGaming and blockchain regulation.”

The International Association of Gaming Advisors includes prominent executives, attorneys, financial experts, regulators, and consultants. Membership provides access to high-level dialogue on gaming policy, regulatory challenges, and market evolution.

With Lee joining its ranks, IAGA gains a unique perspective from the Isle of Man, one of the world’s most forward-thinking regulatory environments, as well as specialist insight into Web3, tokenized economies, and esports betting.

The post Lee Hills Joins the International Association of Gaming Advisors appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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