World Cup Fever: Who is really protecting sports bettors from excessive risks?

The world's eyes are on major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup. Millions then bet on their favorite teams. Online gambling platform operators experience a massive surge in new registrations. But in this betting frenzy, who is taking care to protect players from the downsides of gambling? Rasmus Kjaergaard, CEO of Mindway AI, and Guy Harding, Senior Director of Business Development at Better Collective, are advocating for a stronger focus on player protection. They see the need for proactive measures rather than just reactive ones.

Traditional self-assessment questionnaires barely reach anyone. The two industry experts agree: gamification and behavioral interactions can provide significantly better insights. This is especially true when a major event attracts many casual bettors.

Numbers and facts

In the US alone, over $150 billion was wagered on sports in 2024. This represents a 22 percent increase from the previous year, highlighting the massive sums involved. The share of online betting grew from 25 percent in 2024 to 30 percent in 2025 - a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. The need for effective player protection measures is becoming increasingly clear. Especially during major events like the FIFA World Cup 2026, numerous new players register, many of whom are unaware of their own risk tendencies in gambling. This is where Mindway AI comes in with Gamalyze Sports. This tool aims to provide players with scientifically based insights into their decision-making behavior and risk tolerance before problematic behaviors develop. The goal is to create self-awareness and provide personalized feedback to enable more informed decisions from the outset.

Background

Traditional Responsible Gambling (RG) strategies often reach their limits. Self-assessment questionnaires are rarely completed and even less often taken seriously. Guy Harding of Better Collective emphasizes this point: "The reality is very few people enjoy questionnaires or surveys, yet they are everywhere." Therefore, the industry is increasingly focusing on interactive solutions. Gamalyze Sports, for example, transforms the testing process into an online game based on user behavior rather than self-reported answers.

"For us at Mindway AI, the real innovation is not identifying gambling harm earlier - this is just part of our wider vision to help prevent it altogether." - Rasmus Kjaergaard, CEO at Mindway AI

Sports bettors, in particular, react strongly to sports-related content. The old version of Gamalyze was a card game that many sports bettors did not find appealing. For the World Cup, the offering was therefore adapted and expanded to include football themes. This contextualization is intended to increase acceptance among sports fans. Some markets are already further along in this regard. Guy Harding compares RG tools to seat belts: "They shouldn't restrict the fun of sports betting, but they should prevent serious harm." The danger that excessive regulation drives players to the black market, where no safety measures exist, is real. Instead, operators should offer useful tools that truly help, such as net deposit limits, easily accessible profit and loss trackers, and frictionless risk assessments. A good example is the abolition of "reverse withdrawals," i.e., the option to reverse withdrawals. Studies showed that this function was particularly harmful to players with gambling problems. Removing this option was a big step forward for player protection.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, these developments are highly relevant. The German Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) has put player protection in focus. The Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) enforces strict rules for online gambling. These include a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euros and a stake limit of 1 Euro per spin for online slot machines. The central blocking system LUGAS (Länderübergreifendes Glücksspielaufsichtssystem) is also an important component of German player protection. Here, players who have themselves blocked are registered nationwide.

The goal is clear: players should remain within the regulated market and not switch to the unregulated black market, where no protective mechanisms are in place. Tools like Gamalyze Sports, which proactively inform players about their risk tolerance and help them better understand their gambling behavior, fit perfectly into this philosophy. While not all GGL-licensed online casinos are yet integrating such innovative gamification approaches, the trend is clear. The focus is not only on imposing limits on players but also on providing them with self-help tools. This builds trust and promotes sustainable gambling behavior in the legal sector.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a GGL license, this development means that the focus on player protection will continue to intensify. It is no longer sufficient to merely meet the minimum legal requirements. Proactively integrating RG tools directly into the player experience is becoming increasingly important. This applies not only to football or other sports but also to the integration of modern AI methods. The use of artificial intelligence for the early detection of problematic gambling behavior, as researched by other startups in the gambling sector, can drastically increase the effectiveness of player protection. Platforms like Monster.bet already use GPT-like chatbots that collect sports data and predict winning probabilities. FanDuel integrates the AceAI chatbot, which helps users construct complex bets. These technologies could also be applied in GGL casinos to offer players even more targeted information and protective measures. The GGL will likely be open to innovative solutions here, as long as they serve player welfare and comply with the strict German regulations. Ultimately, it benefits operators to provide a safe and responsible gaming environment that retains and protects players in the long term.