Latest News
GAMBLESS H1 UPDATE
Below a brief overview of the most significant updates during the first half of 2022.
Summary:
- App Downloads: Growth of American Userbase
- Resources: Gambless – Mindspa Health integration
- Validation: Research and Studies
- Trends: Digital Health Attitude
Growth of American Userbase
Gambless continues to be problem gamblers’ go-to mobile app for support also in 2022. The app ranks #1 for “gambling addiction” and related searches on Google Play in most countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Italy, and many others. Hence, it is able to capture most of the user-led organic demand for help – even without referrals from other organizations.
In recent months, Gambless has seen an increase of downloads from the United States. Last year, U.S. based problem gamblers registered on the app were 28% of all English speakers, however, their share jumped to 35% in 2022. The main cause for this growth might be the increased popularity and continued legalization of online gambling in the States; those who gamble online are more prone to searching for digital support tools.
Gambless continued to ask its users where they gamble or used to gamble most frequently, and the operators that make the top the lists in 2022 so far are: DraftKings (US), Ladbrokes Coral (UK), and Snai (Italy).
Mindspa Health Integration
Taking a mental health test is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether someone is experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. This is particularly relevant for a condition characterized by low awareness and a strong stigma attached to it, such as gambling addiction.
Striving to further increase its reach, Gambless has now achieved higher integration with Mindspa Health. That means that from now on, Mindspa users will be able to take – among other tests – also a ‘Problem Gambling’ self-assessment, after which they will be redirected to Gambless resources if deemed at risk. With over 1 million registered users and hundreds of thousands monthly readers on its blogs and social media, Mindspa has been ranked among the top 5 mental health apps in Europe by Apple in 2021.
This integration will ensure greater awareness on the topic, while contributing to our mission of tackling gambling addiction with a holistic mental health approach.
Health Care Trends & Research
It is paramount that digital support tools are built to the highest standards. Thanks to the appreciative emails and messages we receive regularly from users, here at Gambless we are cognizant of the tremendous impact these resources can have on the most vulnerable individuals.
Digital health is particularly important for highly stigmatized conditions, such as addictive disorders and pathological gambling, and it will play an even greater role in the future. In the UK, 62% of people surveyed by independent organisation ORCHA agreed that it’s vital to consider new ways to manage our health, including using high-quality health apps. Moreover, 83% of people who have used a health app said they found it helpful in improving their health and wellbeing.
In the past months, Gambless and Mindspa have been the subjects of several studies and research papers. A review of Gambless was included in the paper: “Gambling digital tools: Promising practices & future opportunities” by the Canadian Responsible Gambling Council. While the chatbot feature from Mindspa (available also on Gambless) was reviewed in two research papers: “A review of mobile chatbot apps for anxiety and depression and their self-care features” and “Health-focused conversational agents in person-centered care: a review of apps”. Both papers highlighted promising results regarding the acceptability of healthbots for mental health, with Mindspa receiving the highest rating (4.9/5) among the studied apps.
Final Notes
Lastly, as of July 2022 Gambless therapeutic courses are no longer free (all the other app features remain free). This decision was not taken lightly, and those who take a self-assessment test and are deemed at risk of gambling addiction will still be able to access our ‘Problem Gambling’ programs at a discount price, now set at a symbolic $9.99 –which is 1¢ lower than the minimum deposit amount on the average gambling site.
The change comes after 2 years during which access codes to our therapeutic courses were distributed for free to thousands of individuals in need, despite a lack of interest in our efforts shown by regulators, operators and grant-making organisations.
Latest News
SharpLink Gaming Announces 2024 Annual General Meeting of Stockholders
SharpLink Gaming, Inc., an online performance-based marketing company serving the U.S. sports betting and iGaming industries, today announced that it will host its Annual General Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 4:00 PM Central Time at SharpLink’s corporate headquarters, located at 333 Washington Avenue North, Suite 104, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401, and thereafter as it may be adjourned or postponed from time to time.
At the Meeting, stockholders will be asked to approve the following proposals and adopt the following resolutions in connection with the proposals:
1. | The reelection of Rob Phythian, Obie McKenzie, Robert Gutkowski and Leslie Bernhard as members of the Board of Directors for a term expiring at our 2025 Annual General Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified; |
2. | The approval of a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), by a ratio of up to and including 6:1, to be effective at the ratio and on a date to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, and amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect such reverse stock split; |
3. | The ratification of the appointment of Cherry Bekaert, LLP, registered public accountants, as our Company’s independent registered public accountants for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the authorization of our Board of Directors to fix such independent public accountants’ compensation in accordance with the volume and nature of their services or to delegate such power to our Audit Committee; |
4. | The approval of a non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers (the “Say on Pay Proposal”); and |
5. | To transact any other business properly coming before the Meeting. |
Shareholders of record at the close of business on November 12, 2024 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. It is anticipated that on or about November 19, 2024, the Company shall commence mailing to all stockholders of record, as of the Record Date, the proxy notice, the proxy statement that describes the proposals to be considered at the Meeting and a proxy card. The definitive proxy notice, proxy statement and form of proxy card was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, November 18, 2024 on Schedule 14A.
The approval of the election of the directors under Proposal 1 requires the affirmative vote of holders of the plurality of the Common Stock (on an as-converted basis, subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below)), represented at the Meeting, in person or by proxy, entitled to vote and voting on the matter. Proposal 2 requires votes cast for the reverse stock split to exceed the votes cast against such proposal. Proposals 3 and 4 require the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the Common Stock (on an as-converted basis, subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below)), represented at the Meeting, in person or by proxy, entitled to vote and voting on the matter presented for passage. The Beneficial Ownership Limitation is defined in our Certificate of Incorporation as 9.99% of the number of our Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Preferred Stock and warrants held by the stockholder that is subject to such Beneficial Ownership Limitation.
Our Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of each director and the other proposals set forth in this proxy statement.
The primary purpose for the proposal for the reverse stock split, should the Board of Directors choose to effect one, would be to increase the per share price of our Common Stock to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). On July 11, 2024, we received a letter from Nasdaq Listing Qualifications (the “Letter”) indicating that the Company is no longer in compliance with the minimum bid price requirements for continued listing set forth in Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), which requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share. The rules also provide us a compliance period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance. According to the Letter, we have until January 7, 2025 to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement.
SharpLink knows of no other matters to be submitted at the Meeting other than as specified in the press release. If any other business is properly brought before the Meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote in respect thereof in accordance with the recommendation of SharpLink’s Board of Directors.
Stockholders can vote either by mailing in their proxy, by Internet, by phone or in person by attending the Meeting. If voting by mail, the proxy must be received by SharpLink’s voting processing agency at least 48 hours prior to the appointed time of the Meeting or at our registered office in Minneapolis, Minnesota at least four (4) hours prior to the appointed time of the Meeting to be validly included in the tally of Common Stock. If voting by Internet or phone, votes must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, December 5, 2024 to be validly included in the tally of the Common Stock voted at the Meeting. If a stockholder elects to attend the Meeting, he or she may vote in person and your proxy will not be used. Detailed proxy voting instructions are provided both in the proxy statement and on the enclosed proxy card.
Latest News
GamblingSites.com Launches “Jackpot Meter” for Ultimate Online Gambling Transparency
GamblingSites.com is shaking up the online gambling world with the launch of its brand-new “Jackpot Meter.” Think of it as the Rotten Tomatoes of online casinos and sportsbooks — delivering clear unbiased reviews.
The Jackpot Meter does the heavy lifting, gathering real insights from both everyday players and seasoned pros to deliver unbiased ratings across some of the most popular betting sites. Criteria used includes bonuses, banking options, game libraries, and the site’s overall impression from current reviewers.
It’s time for transparency
Gone are the days of questionable, biased reviews — GamblingSites.com’s data-driven “Jackpot Meter” sparks a new wave of transparency and trust within the industry, giving players the tools to be confident and secure in their betting options.
Powered by over 24,000 user comments and scores from 120+ gambling sites at launch (with more on the way!), the Jackpot Meter cuts through the noise.
So, how does the Jackpot Meter work?
Every casino and sportsbook site featured on GamblingSites.com gets its own badge of honor (or shame). Here’s how the scores stack up:
• All-In Jackpot Certified: The best of the best! Sites with an approval rating of 85% or higher earn the All-In status, the highest status of trust a gambling site can snag.
• Jackpot Certified: A solid win. Sites that earn the Jackpot status have an approval rating of 60% or higher, making them a high-quality betting option with minimal negative reviews.
• Bust: Womp womp. Sites that earn the Bust status hold a below-average satisfaction rating of 59% or lower, so players know to steer clear.
Latest News
Union Workers’ Strike Ongoing at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas Casino
The strike at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is continuing as the standoff between management and laborers seeking higher pay and benefits showed no signs of resolution. With no new talks scheduled, the open-ended strike—Nevada’s first of its kind since 2002—continues to disrupt operations just a week before the high-profile Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Culinary Workers Union, representing roughly 60,000 members across Nevada, is pushing for wage increases and benefit improvements similar to those negotiated at other Las Vegas casinos last year. Approximately 700 workers, including guest room attendants, food servers, bartenders, and kitchen staff, joined the picket lines at Virgin Hotels.
The timing of the strike could have significant implications for Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, as the upcoming Formula 1 race is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of fans to the area. However, no new discussions are in sight, with both sides remaining firmly entrenched.
Virgin Hotels described the terms of union agreements reached by other casinos, which included 32% salary increases over five years, as “economically unsustainable.” The company said it is committed to achieving a “reasonable agreement” for its 1710 employees and accused union leadership of refusing to engage in “meaningful negotiations.”
Union spokesperson Bethany Khan confirmed that no negotiations were scheduled between the parties. To support striking workers, the union is offering $500 per week to those who participate in picketing shifts. The union previously staged a 48-hour job action at Virgin Hotels in May, urging management to agree to a new five-year contract.
Virgin Hotels recently reached a contract agreement with the Teamsters Union, covering 105 employees, including front desk, valet, and call center staff. The Culinary Workers Union’s strike, however, underscores a broader labor push in Nevada’s hotel and casino sector.
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