Mr Thimble

About Mr Thimble

Lottomatica and Cirsa have agreed a blockbuster merger that would create the second-largest listed gaming and sports betting operator in the world.

Announced on Wednesday, the all-share deal is expected to close in Q2 2027, forming a combined group with a pro forma adjusted EBITDA of around €2 billion ($2.3 billion).

Cirsa’s implied pro forma value, before synergies, corresponds to an multiple of approximately 6x its expected 2026 EV/EBITDA which will be between €800 million and €820 million, according to the operator’s most recent earnings.

What is Mr Thimble?

Limay Media acknowledged that the person depicted was an AI-generated fictional character rather than a real individual and claimed the design was intended to appear as an adult. 

The company admitted to lapses in its internal approval process, described the error as isolated and noted the ad was removed within a few hours.

Limay reported implementing new safety measures for AI-generated gambling creatives, including specifying age-related prompts and reviewing the perceived age of AI outputs.

How to play Mr Thimble

Under the campaign banner #PlaySafeAfrica, each day of this week will focus on a specific aspect of safer gambling. These include responsible gambling, personal limits and the prevention of underage gambling.

The week will feature a coordinated programme of engagement between regulators and the industry, as well as public education and digital awareness activities.

Peter Kesitilwe, CEO of the AiA, said the industry’s growth must be matched by a stronger focus on player protection, highlighting the need for greater collaboration between regulators and operators.