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Path to Play: What is it, and what does it mean for the gambling industry?

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2022

Gaspar Incze

Photo credit: pixabay.com

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Path to Play is a new piece of research and framework developed by the UKGC to understand better what “the typical consumer journey looks like, from the beginning of a gambling interaction to the end.” The intention is a greater exploration of gamblers’ perspectives, habits and influences. This builds on earlier work by the UKGC and continues the move away from the operator and regulator perspective. According to the UKGC, it allows them to “understand how consumers experience gambling, what factors influence them, where there may be greater risks for some gamblers and identify opportunities for intervention”.

Understanding more about players’ perspectives

The Path to Play study included 937 participants who had been gambling in the last 12 months. The sample included varying types of gamblers as participants were a range of; ages, GB regions, socioeconomic groups, life stages, ethnicity and PGSI ratings. The Path to Play framework indicates key milestones and stages gamblers go through. It’s not a one-size-fits-all model, recognising that gamblers are not all the same and experiences differ.

There are six phases included in the framework:

Passive influences (underlying attitudes and perceptions of gambling),
External triggers (nudges that prompt consideration of play),
Internal impulses (motivation/reason to gamble),
Active search (production selection process),
Gaming experience (how playing goes),
Game outcome (impact of winning or losing).

The steps are sequential, aside from external triggers (like bonuses and promos) and internal impulses (such as laying a bet during a match to increase excitement or visiting a casino to celebrate an event or pass the time), which can take place at any time.

According to the research, different factors influence players more or less at different stages. For example, special offers, direct communications and winning experiences significantly influence people to gamble, as do popular events like the World Cup or Premier League. Meanwhile, other factors, like advertising and sponsorships, are much less consequential and, therefore, categorised as “background noise”.

Problem gamblers highlighted

The research showed that problem gamblers were far more susceptible to influences and triggers throughout the framework stages than those categorised as not at-risk. This was especially true for passive influences, which can include day-to-day interactions, upbringing and past experiences, to name but a few.

The role of safer gambling messages

It also questioned whether safeguarding techniques worked, finding that responsible gambling messages and warnings had little impact despite being seen regularly. Spending limits are currently under-utilised, with only 7% of consumers employing them, despite many going into a gambling session with a budget in mind.

What does Path to Play mean for the gambling industry?

The study aims to assist the UKGC in creating new policies and initiatives to better address problem gambling and the industry on the whole through a better understanding of the complete journey gamblers take and what influences their behaviour. This is a commendable attempt by the UKGC to prioritise understanding players and what makes them tick. Moreover, it’s only through research like this that operators and regulators better know what safeguards work and what support players need.

In light of more recent third-party research, such as GambleAware’s commissioned Patterns of Play study, which showed that participation, spending and harm of gaming products are disproportionately concentrated in the most deprived areas of Great Britain, ) Path to Play’s qualitative, quantitative and longer-term research adds essential colour to understanding such findings. The research also compliments overall participation statistics which suggest that while slot and other casino games are less prevalent than betting, the number of problem gamblers using these games is more than double. Online slots also see the highest loss per player and are the most produced type of casino game, as shown by the number of new slots released every month. What’s more, in a time when the UK is undergoing a crisis of living costs, coupled with the pandemic’s longer-term effects, understanding what drives and influences different players is critical to creating effective regulation.

The implications of the research are not yet clear, and they come at a time when the UK is already in the process of concluding a new white paper (part of the Gambling Review, which will update gambling laws for the modern industry and is expected to cover both affordability checks and mandatory player budgets). However, as Path to Play is fresh off the think tank, it’s a little late to be taken into account in the white paper, which is expected to be released within weeks. Although interestingly, just days after Path to Play was released and ahead of the white paper, the CEO of the UKGC issued a warning to operators regarding higher levels of expected compliance and consumer protection within the industry. What remains to be seen is how often the UKGC will undertake Path to Play surveys and what practical implications the results will have for policy, safeguards and operator LCCPs.

Related Topics:Gambling Research Path to Play UKGC

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Everything you need to know ahead of ESL Pro League Season 19

Published

14 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The ESL Pro League (EPL) returns to St. Julian’s, Malta, for Season 19 on April 23 – May 12, 2024. The world’s biggest Counter-Strike league will see teams from around the world arrive on-site for three weeks of non-stop action, and only one team will emerge victorious as Champions.

Here is all you need to know about ESL Pro League Season 19

The 19th Season of the ESL Pro League will see the 32 best Counter-Strike teams compete for a total prize pool of $750,000, a win in the race to secure Intel® Grand Slam V, and a spot at IEM Cologne 2024. Commencing on April 23, contenders from around the globe will face off in Malta for a spot in the Playoffs. There, the six best teams will compete live in front of an intimate live audience at the InterContinental Malta on May 10 – 12, 2024.

Starting with the upcoming season, EPL will see some improvements to its schedule. While the number of teams and the tournament structure remain the same compared to recent seasons, the duration of the tournament has been adjusted to three weeks instead of five. To accommodate this change, two groups will be played simultaneously during the Group Stage, resulting in a more intense story for fans to follow.

Schedule and Format

Group Stage (April 23 – May 5):

Four groups of eight teams will compete in separate triple-elimination brackets
- All matches are best-of-three
The top four teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs
- Group Stage winners advance to the Quarterfinals
- The Group Stage runner-ups advance to the Round of 12
- The Group Stage third and fourth-place teams advance to the Round of 16

Playoffs (May 7 – 12):

The top sixteen teams will compete in a single-elimination bracket
- All matches will be best-of-three, excluding the Grand Final which will be best-of-five
- The third and fourth Quarterfinals, as well as both Semifinals and the Grand Final will be played out live on stage in front of an audience

Teams Attending

Astralis (Partner Team)
BIG (Partner Team)
Complexity (Partner Team)
ENCE (Partner Team)
FaZe Clan (Partner Team)
Fnatic (Partner Team)
FURIA (Partner Team)
G2 Esports (Partner Team)
HEROIC (Partner Team)
MOUZ (Partner Team)
Natus Vincere (Partner Team)
Ninjas in Pyjamas (Partner Team)
Team Liquid (Partner Team)
Team Vitality (Partner Team)
Monte (ESL Challenger Jönköping winner)
Virtus.pro (ESL Challenger Atlanta winner)
SAW (ESL World Ranking)
Team Falcons (ESL World Ranking)
GamerLegion (ESL World Ranking)
BetBoom Team (ESL World Ranking)
Eternal Fire (ESL World Ranking)
3DMAX (ECL S46 Europe winner)
FORZE (ECL S46 Europe runner-up)
M80 (ECL S46 North America winner)
BOSS (ECL S46 North America runner-up)
The MongolZ (ECL S46 Asia-Pacific winner)
TYLOO (ECL S46 Asia-Pacific runner-up)
Imperial Esports (South American Qualifier winners)
Sharks Esports (South American Qualifier winners)
Pera Esports (European Conference winner)
Bad News Kangaroos (Oceanic Qualifier winner)
FlyQuest (ANZ Champs winner)

Prize Money (USD)

TOTAL	$750,000
1st	$170,000
2nd	$80,000
3rd-4th	$45,000
5th-8th	$32,000
9th-12th	$23,500
13th-16th	$17,500
17th-20th	$12,000
21st-28th	$7,000
29th-32nd	$3,500

Broadcast Talent

Hosts
- “Tres “stunna” Saranthus
- Freya “Freya” Spiers
A Stream
- Jason “moses” O’Toole
- Janko “YNk” Paunović
- Mathieu “Maniac” Quiquerez
- Harry “Harry” Russell
- Hugo “Hugo” Byron
- Henry “Henry” Greer
- Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill
- Alex “Machine” Richardson
B Stream
- Neo “Ne0kai” Caine
- Harvey “Skriv” Rodgers
- Lucy “LucyLuce” Eastwood
- Brandon “BDog” Rawlings
- Travis “Trav” Landaw Mott

Where to Watch

The live broadcast will be available on FACEIT Watch, ESL FACEIT Group’s premier esports viewing platform created by esports fans for esports fans and open for all.

Featuring a unique multi-perspective view selector where users can watch their favorite player’s perspective directly next to the main event stream, a live chat, a kill cam, live-generated replays of key moments, a sound mixer, a rewards program, and more, FACEIT Watch revolutionises esports streaming by putting fans in control of their viewing experience.

Fans can also watch the action on the ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch on-demand for free via YouTube.

For more information about ESL Pro League Season 19, and the latest updates on the event, please visit the official website, and follow ESL Counter-Strike on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Latest News

New Market Alert! Hacksaw Gaming Touch Down in Portugal with Solverde.pt

Published

14 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Another incredible new market launch for Hacksaw Gaming, this time we’re taking a trip to Portugal with Solverde.pt. Exclusively showcasing our content until the 30th of April, this new partnership looks to be one with an exciting journey ahead.

Fan favourites Wanted Dead or a Wild, 2 Wild 2 Die, R.I.P City, Le Bandit and many more are now featured on the Hacksaw exclusive section of the Solverde.pt platform. At long last, Portuguese players can now immerse themselves in the Hacksaw experience, exploring a large catalogue of our games that demonstrate our creative mechanics and stunning visuals.

“Hacksaw has been a top request from Portuguese casino players and we always aim to know the market preferences and deliver what the customers want” says Américo Loureiro, Solverde.pt Director “We’re very proud to bring this groundbreaking studio to Portugal for the first time and have no doubt it will be a success”

Part of Solverde Group, which boasts more than 50 years of history, Solverde.pt was launched in 2017.

They strive to offer the widest casino portfolio in Portugal, prioritising all the fun of casino games with the top quality and safety that SolverdePT users have come to know them for.

Marcus Cordes, Hacksaw Gaming CEO is certain that Hacksaw enthusiasts in Portugal will be ecstatic with this new launch – “Being able to bring yet another growing market our games is what drives us forward! Saúde to a promising future partnership and to the teams who made this happen.”

With this latest launch marking our third new market entry in the past month alone, Hacksaw Gaming’s quest to introduce our collection to players worldwide is rapidly becoming reality. Are we setting the tone for even more groundbreaking ventures in the months ahead? Stay tuned, as we’re on a mission to grow our Hacksaw Community far and wide.

Latest News

What Types of Resources Help You Find New Online Casinos?

Published

22 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Wladimir P.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As online betting and gambling are increasingly getting popular, more and more gambling portals and online casinos are sprouting up every day on the internet. With so many mobile applications and websites offering lucrative options, it can be quite overwhelming and confusing to find new online casinos which are both legitimate and safe. So, how do you make a decision?

This list of resources will help you clear out that confusion and help you analyse your choices more carefully and choose the right new online gambling site for yourself.

Read Reviews on Reputable Review Sites

Online review websites are one of the most reliable sources to ascertain how good a new online gambling site is. With the drastic increase in the number of online gambling portals and casinos, these review sites have become a frequent visit for many gambling enthusiasts. Such websites usually provide comprehensive reviews of different online casinos along with important information about their games, bonuses, payment methods, and customer support.

One pro tip is to look for reviews from industry experts and popular players to ensure you get a credible report and make a more informed decision accordingly.

Check for Proper Licensing

One of the most critical things before signing up for a new online gambling site is to check its legitimacy and licensing. On the portal, make sure to look for a valid license registered under a proper jurisdiction.

This will ensure that the company is a legally registered operation and that your personal and financial data is safe and secure.

Refer to News Websites and Blogs

Another credible way to find good new online casinos is to look through news websites and blogs that specifically talk about the gambling industry. These sites often publish dedicated articles about the latest trends and developments in the industry, including new site launches and promotions.

Often including reviews from experts, articles and blogs on these platforms is a good way to judge a new online gambling site and make your decision. That’s why it is advisable to keep an eye on such portals and stay updated and informed.

Join Online Forums and Communities

I believe that no one can give a better review of an online gambling website other than someone who has been on the portal and played the game themselves. While there are multiple such forums dedicated to the online gambling industry, some online casinos have their own forums dedicated to their players.

Being on these forums and communities is a good way to get in touch with industry experts and experienced players and personally get their reviews and recommendations on online casinos. You can also learn about new casinos, discuss different aspects of online gambling, and connect with other players who share your interests.

Check Social Media Platforms

It’s 2024 and no community is bigger than social media! Be it Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat or even Reddit, almost every individual and business is present over there including online gambling companies. With the easiest access to a very large number of people, online casinos have to maintain their presence and stay active on these platforms.

That’s why many online casinos have social media accounts across many of these platforms where they regularly post updates about their latest games, promotions, and other news. Thus, social media is one of the best ways to search for new online casinos. In fact, by following these casinos on social media, you can stay updated about their offerings and be among the first to know about any new developments.

Consider Bonuses and Promotions

A lot of new online casinos offer generous bonuses and promotional schemes like welcome bonuses, free spins, no or low deposits, etc., to attract new players. If you ask me, I prefer playing on a portal that asks for the lowest deposits.

For this, I look for a list of low-deposit online casinos and research their bonuses and promotions to make sure they are lofty and worth my time. Do the same while picking out your online gambling website and chances are that you’ll start with a great deal.

Choosing a new gambling site from a pool of hundreds and thousands of casinos can be daunting, especially for beginners. However, using the right resources like review portals, online communities, blogs, etc., can help you indulge in a proper research process. On the other hand, using smart techniques like checking for licenses and promotional offers offered by the company can make the decision-making even smoother.

But at the end of the day, I believe that finding the right new gambling website really depends on how well-informed you are about the industry. Always make sure to stay updated and informed about whatever is happening in the industry and you’ll automatically find it easier to pick your new gambling website.