Technology

U.S. Gambling Industry Spent 8.7x More on Celebrity Endorsements Than on Responsible Gambling Communications in 2025, 5W Research Division Finds.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

$520 million on celebrity and athlete partnerships. $60 million on responsible gambling programs and communications. The ratio is now appearing in ESG ratings, legislative testimony, and AI search citations.

MIAMI, July 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 5W Research Division today released the 5W Responsible Gambling Communications Audit 2026 — a 24-month industry analysis examining how the U.S. gambling industry communicates about responsible gambling and what that communications posture is costing in regulatory, ESG, and AI-search outcomes.

The audit reviewed 30 operators across sports betting, online casino & iGaming, and land-based casino. Data sources included 47,000+ earned media articles, 180+ ESG disclosures and 10-K filings, 240+ state regulator filings, and 2,400+ AI engine queries across ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews.

The U.S. gambling industry spent $3.9 billion on marketing and advertising in 2025. Of that:

$520 million went to celebrity and athlete endorsement partnerships.$60 million went to responsible gambling programs and communications.Ratio: 8.7 to 1 — the highest of any regulated American consumer category with a public-health dimension.

For context: U.S. tobacco’s ratio is below 1.5-to-1 post-Master Settlement. Alcohol is approximately 4-to-1. Pharmaceuticals run near 1-to-1 under FDA-mandated risk communication.

Six headline findings:

The 8.7-to-1 Ratio. No publicly traded operator surveyed has issued a specific defense in investor communications.Earned Media Underinvestment. $90M on earned media against $3.9B total — 2.3%. 34% of branded search results are not operator-controlled.ESG Disclosure Gap. Only 4 of 12 publicly traded operators disclose RG investment as a percentage of marketing spend.Regulator Communications Asymmetry. In 11 of 38 legal markets, state gaming commissioners receive proactive RG communications from fewer than three operators per year.The AI Citation Gap. BetMGM cited in 78% and DraftKings in 64% of AI responses for strongest RG programs. Six other major operators are cited in fewer than 20%.The Pre-Legalization Penalty. In Michigan, Ohio, and North Carolina, operators that published RG content in state media before legalization achieved faster regulatory approval.

The 5W RG Communications Index scored each operator on a 100-point scale. Top performers: MGM Resorts International (81/100), BetMGM Sportsbook (78/100), BetMGM Casino (74/100), DraftKings (71/100), FanDuel (66/100). Bottom performers: Las Vegas Sands (41/100), ESPN Bet (38/100), Fanatics Sportsbook (34/100), bet365 (29/100), Stake.us (22/100).

“The gambling industry has built the most visible advertising ecosystem in American consumer marketing in five years. It has not built the credibility infrastructure to match it,” said Ronn Torossian, Founder and Chairman of 5W. “The 8.7-to-1 ratio is no longer a marketing department metric. It is a capital markets metric. It is in Sustainalytics. It is in MSCI. It is in legislative testimony in California, Texas, and Florida. And it is in the answer ChatGPT gives a parent who asks which sportsbook is safe for their kid in college.”

The audit recommends five communications investments to close the gap: disclose RG investment as a percentage of marketing spend, build owned-media RG content the AI engines can cite, establish executive visibility on RG topics outside crisis windows, engage regulators proactively in pre-legalization markets, and reallocate 3–5 percentage points of marketing budget toward earned media at parity with celebrity partnerships — representing $117M to $195M redirected at industry scale.

The full audit is available free at 5wpr.com/research/responsible-gambling-audit-2026/.

About 5W

5W is the AI Communications Firm, building brand authority across the platforms where decisions now happen — ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews — alongside earned media, digital, and influencer channels. 5W combines public relations, digital marketing, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and proprietary AI visibility research to help clients measure and grow their presence in AI-driven buyer research. Founded in 2003, 5W is recognized as a Top U.S. PR Agency by O’Dwyer’s, named Agency of the Year in the American Business Awards®, honored as a 2026 Top Place to Work in Communications by Ragan, and named to Digiday’s WorkLife Employer of the Year list. 5W serves clients across B2C sectors — Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, and Nonprofit — and B2B specialties including Corporate Communications, Reputation Management, Public Affairs, Crisis Communications, and Digital Marketing across Social, Influencer, Paid Media, GEO, and SEO. Learn more at 5wpr.com.

Media Contact
research@5wpr.com

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SOURCE 5W Public Relations

Technology

Canada invests in clean energy in Alberta and Saskatchewan

Published

2 hours ago

July 4, 2026

CALGARY, AB, July 4, 2026 /CNW/ – Canada is a clean and conventional energy superpower, and we are building on that strength to power our future with reliable, affordable energy and technology for all Canadians. Investments in energy infrastructure will strengthen Canada’s energy security, create good jobs, attract investment and position our country as a reliable energy supplier for customers at home and abroad.

Today, on the margins of the Calgary Stampede, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced more than $26 million in funding for 17 projects across Alberta and Saskatchewan that will accelerate the deployment of clean technology; modernize energy systems and infrastructure; reduce emissions; and build the regulatory, industrial and workforce capacity needed for Canada’s long-term economic growth and energy security.

The projects include:

$14.9 million for 10 projects that will advance energy storage, solar and wind energy development, interprovincial electricity transmission planning, Indigenous-led clean energy projects and workforce development.$5.9 million for engineering and design work for two facilities that will convert waste biomass to renewable natural gas with carbon capture.$3.5 million for two projects that will reduce methane emissions from upstream oil and gas operations and advance low-emissions cement alternatives that permanently store carbon.$2.3 million for three projects that will support higher energy-efficiency building codes.

By advancing low-carbon energy, clean technology and energy efficiency, the Government of Canada is saving Canadians money, driving prosperity and building Canada into an energy superpower for today and tomorrow.

Quotes

“Energy is the backbone of our economy — so by growing and modernizing the systems that we have, we can catalyze investment, generate jobs and prosperity, and build the strongest economy in the G7. Through these investments, we will stabilize energy costs, reduce emissions and lay the foundation for long-term economic growth.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Through investments in Indigenous-led clean energy projects, we are supporting First Nations as they strengthen energy security, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and create new opportunities for future generations. Projects like these reflect the leadership of communities as they explore and develop renewable energy solutions that advance economic growth, environmental stewardship and greater self-determination. By working together, we are helping build stronger, more resilient communities while contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.”

The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty
Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick Facts

Federal funding for most projects in this bundle is provided by the Government of Canada’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs). This $4.5-billion program is designed to support grid modernization, energy storage and renewable energy technologies in every region of Canada, helping to grow Canada’s electricity grid in a sustainable, affordable and reliable manner.Indigenous Services Canada contributed $649,000 to electricity projects led by Indigenous groups that will advance the pre-development work required to launch solar energy projects.The Energy Innovation Program (EIP) advances clean energy technologies that will help Canada maintain a competitive, reliable and affordable energy system while transitioning to a low-carbon economy.Canada’s National Electricity Strategy aims to double the capacity of our grid by 2050 and supply clean, reliable, affordable power across the country for decades to come.Today’s announcement builds on an announcement at the 2026 Energy and Mine Ministers’ Conference (EMMC) on June 26, committing support to intertie transmission projects linking Yukon and British Columbia, Alberta and British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Technology

JMGO Offers Special Savings on 4K Projectors Ahead of the Tournament Final

Published

6 hours ago

July 4, 2026

SHENZHEN, China, July 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the tournament reaches its final stage, JMGO is offering limited-time savings on its award-winning 4K projector lineup through July 19. Featuring the N3 Ultimate, N1S 4K and N1S Ultimate, the promotion gives sports fans an easy way to enjoy every goal, replay and celebration on an immersive big screen with vibrant triple-laser visuals and effortless setup. The offers are available through the JMGO Webstore and on Amazon.

JMGO N3 Ultimate: Premium Home Theater, Ready in Seconds

From kickoff to the final whistle, the N3 Ultimate delivers premium home theater with effortless setup, so you never miss a moment of the tournament final. Featuring the world’s first 3-in-1 optical system, which integrates optical zoom, lens shift and an AI-powered gimbal, the N3 Ultimate automatically delivers an optimized image in seconds. Powered by the latest MALC™ 5.0 triple-laser engine and delivering up to 5,800 ISO lumens, it produces exceptional brightness and cinematic detail for every scene.

The N3 Ultimate is now available at 20% off through July 19. Customers can enjoy an additional 10% off with code JMGOBESTN3U on the JMGO Webstore and Amazon, bringing the final price to $2,159. Every purchase also includes complimentary viewing accessories.

JMGO N1S 4K: A Portable 4K Projector for Match Day

Whether you’re hosting friends in the backyard, relaxing on the patio or taking the projector on a summer getaway, the N1S 4K brings premium big-screen entertainment almost anywhere. Weighing just 2.2 kg (4.9 lbs), it combines 4K resolution, JMGO’s triple-color laser technology, Google TV with licensed Netflix and a built-in 127° gimbal, making premium projection simple wherever the match takes you.

The N1S 4K is now available at 46% off for $699 (MSRP $1,299) through July 19 on the JMGO Webstore and Amazon.

JMGO N1S Ultimate: A Step Up for Home Theater Enthusiasts

For viewers ready to upgrade their home entertainment experience, the N1S Ultimate combines premium 4K projection with JMGO’s triple-laser technology for rich colors, lifelike detail and effortless everyday viewing. Powered by JMGO’s MALC™ triple-laser optical engine, it features 3,300 ISO lumens, 4K resolution and Google TV, delivering immersive visuals across live sports, movies and streaming content. An integrated smart gimbal makes setup quick and easy in virtually any room.

The N1S Ultimate is now available at 46% off for $1,499 (MSRP $2,799) through July 19 on the JMGO Webstore and Amazon, including complimentary viewing accessories.

About JMGO

Founded in 2011, JMGO is a leader in intelligent projection technology, combining innovative design and advanced imaging solutions to create immersive entertainment experiences for consumers worldwide. To learn more, visit JMGO.com

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SOURCE JMGO

Technology

Vantage Introduces 24/7 Gold CFD Trading with XAUUSD247

Published

7 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Eligible clients can now trade Gold CFDs beyond the traditional trading week, including weekends, through MT5, TradingView and the Vantage App.

PORT VILA, Vanuatu, July 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vantage Markets (“Vantage”), a multi-asset CFD broker, today announced the launch of XAUUSD247. CME Group recently announced plans to expand trading of certain gold futures products to 24/7, subject to regulatory review. XAUUSD247 is a separate OTC CFD product offered by Vantage.

“XAUUSD247 provides eligible clients with access to gold CFDs beyond standard market hours, supported by transparent product mechanics and clearly defined trading controls,” said Marc Despallieres, Chief Executive Officer at Vantage.

XAUUSD247 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays, subject to scheduled platform maintenance and regional availability. The product uses a one-ounce contract size, compared with the 100-ounce contract size of Vantage’s traditional XAUUSD product. No separate trading commission applies, although spreads, financing charges and other applicable costs may apply. Tiered leverage of up to 100x may be available, subject to position size, account type and applicable trading conditions. One-sided margin calculation for eligible accounts holding both long and short positions.

XAUUSD247 also incorporates net and gross exposure limits at account level as part of its risk-management framework. When the applicable exposure threshold is reached, accounts enter close-only mode until exposure returns below the relevant limit. Applicable spreads, financing charges, leverage, exposure limits and other trading conditions may vary depending on the client’s account type, region and applicable Vantage entity.

The page will be officially launched on 6 July.

About Vantage

Vantage Markets is a multi-asset CFD broker offering access to Gold, Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs, and Bonds.

With over 17 years of experience, Vantage provides a reliable trading platform, an award-winning mobile app, and a user-friendly trading experience.

Risk Warning: CFDs are complex leveraged products and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Trading CFDs may not be suitable for all investors. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Availability of products and services described in this release is subject to jurisdictional restrictions and may not be available to residents of certain countries or regions.

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SOURCE Vantage