Fraudulent activity in the igaming industry surged by 64% year-on-year in 2024, leading to industry-wide losses reaching tens of billions of euros. However, with the help of advanced anti-fraud platforms like Frogo, operators can integrate technology into a sophisticated multi-layered strategy to mitigate risk, protect reputations, and safeguard revenues. Fraudsters follow the money – so […]
Fraudulent activity in the igaming industry surged by 64% year-on-year in 2024, leading to industry-wide losses reaching tens of billions of euros. However, with the help of advanced anti-fraud platforms like Frogo, operators can integrate technology into a sophisticated multi-layered strategy to mitigate risk, protect reputations, and safeguard revenues.
Fraudsters follow the money – so it is little surprise that the igaming industry has found itself to be an increasingly appealing target for criminals in recent years.
Last year, in Europe alone, gross revenue in the igaming industry topped €123.4 billion (£104 billion/$137 billion), while in the US, annual gaming revenue grew for a fourth consecutive year in 2024 to $71.92 billion – up 7.5% year-on-year.
While regulatory changes in countries such as Brazil are helping to drive the industry’s ongoing expansion, increasing online and mobile accessibility is also fueling growth. More than two-thirds of the planet’s inhabitants now have access to the internet – up 144 million year-on-year – and there are now 5.81 billion unique mobile phone subscriptions worldwide, accounting for more than 70% of the world’s population.
However, such technological development is also driving fraud in igaming, as well as other industries – and the scale of the issue is mind-boggling.
In the UK, fraud accounts for more than 40% of all crime, according to the latest National Crime Agency figures.
The internet is the primary domain for such crimes. In the US, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center notes that it received around 2,000 complaints per month when it launched 25 years ago. Over the past five years, it has averaged more than 2,000 complaints every single day, with the acceleration of digital transformation through the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbating the challenge.
Whilst many of these complaints relate to consumer-facing issues, online fraud is also on the rise for businesses – and fraud in igaming is becoming an increasingly acute challenge for operators.
Nearly half of European igaming platforms believe fraud cost them more than 10% of their revenue last year. A further 15% put the figure at more than 20% of their total revenues, with 83% of operators claiming the issue had grown year-on-year.
For these reasons, there is a recognition across the industry that igaming fraud prevention strategies need to move beyond standard anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) verification guidelines, for the good of the sector’s companies, as well as consumers.
Key igaming fraud issues
For operators in the industry, fraud has traditionally comprised a multi-pronged threat. However, the outlook has become increasingly complex, with tech-savvy individuals as well as organized criminals becoming increasingly adept at exploiting weaknesses in digital systems.
Bonus abuse is one of the most prevalent types of fraud – when users exploit promotional offers meant for others – while affiliate fraud involves referral programmes being manipulated to generate illegitimate earnings. Account takeovers, when bad actors gain unauthorised access to a user’s account, is another established problem, while internal fraud, payments fraud and SMS fraud are also issues that operators encounter.
Money laundering is also a common type of fraud. It involves depositing illicit funds into an igaming account before typically placing low-risk bets and withdrawing the winnings.
Moreover, the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology to circumvent verification processes are providing a new headache – and a new strand to an evolving issue.
In April, the UK’s Gambling Commission issued an update, warning of the prevalence of AI deepfakes connected to money laundering and organised crime. To illustrate the challenge, in the same month, an AI-generated video purporting to show technology presenters at UK broadcaster Sky News promoting illegal gambling apps was widely shared across social media.
The AI challenge – and opportunity
Against this backdrop, the advent of artificial intelligence is providing a challenge, but also an opportunity in the field of fraud detection and prevention.
Last year, the UK’s Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce issued an amber alert on the use of AI to bypass customer due diligence checks.
However, AI is also being increasingly adopted to tackle the evolving problem, both inside and outside igaming.
For example, nearly three-quarters of financial institutions now use AI to tackle the growth of so-called Fraud-as-a-Service. Around seven in 10 top executives in the financial sector believe AI will drive more revenue through detection and prevention rather than losses due to AI-enabled fraud, despite the danger of the technology automating, augmenting and scaling up criminal activity volumes.
A proactive anti-fraud approach
Anti-fraud platform Frogo, which launched at ICE Barcelona in January, is one such service that combines advanced tools to address the issue in a proactive fashion.
The all-in-one platform features device fingerprinting to analyse and detect suspicious activity, a scoring engine that utilises static and dynamic triggers to assess risk in real time, an AI module to continuously learn from fraud patterns and adapt to emerging threats, and graph-based forensics that map out relationships between accounts to identify fraud rings and collusion.
Real-time fraud detection is essential for reducing losses and maintaining customer trust. With AI monitoring every transaction as it happens, operators and providers can act quickly to eliminate it and prevent further fraudulent activity.
Indeed, as Frogo outlines, the goal is to ‘detect and stop fraud before it even starts’
“The idea – staying one leap ahead of every threat – has shaped the way we think, plan, and build. It’s not just a phrase or slogan, it’s a habit we’ve developed,” says Volodymyr Todurov, chief executive officer of Frogo.
“The idea – staying one leap ahead of every threat – has shaped the way we think, plan, and build”
Through anomaly detection algorithms, AI can detect patterns like unusual deposit and withdrawal behaviour or a sudden geographical change from one account, for example. Powered by rich data and machine learning, over time the AI will refine techniques to tackle igaming fraud, and will play a vital role in a more holistic approach.
Layered fraud detection
An example of this more joined-up strategy is the implementation of layered detection methods, which are increasingly seen as vital tools in the fight against igaming fraud.
This layered detection can take the form of device intelligence, which identifies collusion and may correlate with further bonus abuse; IP fraud scoring, which flags up suspicious activity; digital footprint analysis, which analyses indicators to spot risky accounts; and behavioural biometrics and velocity checks to identify unusual patterns.
This means that those who do manage to bypass initial fraud monitoring checks will continue to undergo rigorous – but frictionless – analysis across the gambling experience to ensure illegal activity is detected and acted upon.
It should be noted that more than three-quarters of European igaming operators claim that fraud occurs after customer onboarding, with identity fraud, money laundering and bonus abuse cited as the biggest threats by around two-thirds of such businesses.
Verification should therefore be viewed as more than merely an initial hurdle to be cleared, with continuous monitoring not only enhancing security, but also maintaining compliance, helping to prevent account takeovers and fraudulent transactions.
Such an approach will also reduce operational strain, empowering operators to allocate resources towards high-risk threats rather than playing whack-a-mole with a multitude of low-value cases.
Fraud dangers in igaming
The dangers of ignoring the early warning signs of fraud can lead to irreversible damage – and not just from a short-term financial perspective. In a highly competitive industry, reputational harm can be challenging to shake off, while legal and regulatory sanctions due to anti-money laundering failures, for example, are a common occurrence.
While there is a broad realisation that conventional fraud-prevention strategies that involve manual work can prolong the reaction time by several days before damage becomes noticeable, platforms like Frogo acknowledge that many of their potential clients do not have established anti-fraud processes in place, and some are just beginning their journey.
“We believe the very nature of this field demands flexibility. That’s exactly why we’ve built our platform so its tools can be tailored to the unique needs of each business.”
For that reason, the platform provides training in the fundamentals of fraud prevention, as well as assistance in building risk management processes from scratch to ensure a joined-up approach from the outset.
Frogo focuses on identifying bonus and financial fraud, multi-accounting, internal fraud, affiliate programme abuse, financial fraud and SMS fraud. The platform is also customisable for specific requirements, recognising evolving challenges.
“We believe the very nature of this field demands flexibility. That’s exactly why we’ve built our platform so its tools can be tailored to the unique needs of each business.
“It is highly adaptable – empowering teams to create, customise, and update fraud detection rules in real time, helping them stay ahead of threats while meeting evolving operational demands” Todurov explains.
This adaptable approach will be crucial for addressing igaming fraud of the future.
Whereas operators have previously relied on a reactive approach, the financial, reputational and regulatory benefits of a proactive strategy through AI-driven technology will be essential if they are to stay one step ahead of the criminals.
ASTRI and Pok Oi Sign MoU to Explore Innovative Technologies for Lam Tei Project
Aims to Create Hong Kong’s Largest Smart Care Home HONG KONG, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and the Board of Directors of Pok Oi Hospital (Pok Oi) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to collaborate on exploring innovative technologies development for the Pok Oi […]
Aims to Create Hong Kong’s Largest Smart Care Home
HONG KONG, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and the Board of Directors of Pok Oi Hospital (Pok Oi) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to collaborate on exploring innovative technologies development for the Pok Oi Hospital Tuen Mun Lam Tei Nursing and Residential Care Home for the Elderly Project (Lam Tei Project). The facility, scheduled for completion in 2027, is envisioned to become Hong Kong’s largest “smart care home”, delivering enhanced efficiency and quality in elderly care services.
The MoU Signing Ceremony was officiated by Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government and Mr Edward To, Director of Social Welfare of the HKSAR Government.
“One of the key strategies outlined in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint is to accelerate the transformation of research and development outcomes into practical applications, thereby promoting the smart city development and enhancing quality of life,” said Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government.
“The collaboration between ASTRI and Pok Oi on the Lam Tei Project perfectly embodies this vision, marking the beginning of a new era of ‘smart elderly care’ in Hong Kong by leveraging innovation and technology (I&T) to enhance comprehensive elderly home services,” Mr Lee added. “We look forward to seeing more innovative technologies integrated into daily life, benefiting industries and society as a whole.”
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Mr Edward To, Director of Social Welfare of the HKSAR Government, said, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Pok Oi Hospital for its unwavering support of Government’s elderly care policy over the years. Striving for excellence, Pok Oi Hospital has been sparing no effort in enhancing the service standards of residential care homes for the elderly. The Lam Tei Project not only symbolises an expansion in elderly care facilities, but also scales new heights in the application of I&T to enhance the quality of care. I hope the Project will inspire the sector to develop service model better tailored to the needs of the elderly, thereby benefitting more elders in the community.”
Tailored-made advanced elderly care solutions
The MoU was signed by Ir Chris Chong, Acting CEO and Chief Operating Officer of ASTRI and Ms Kelly Huang, Chairman of the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors, witnessed by officiating guests, Mr Ivan Lee and Mr Edward To, alongside Ir Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI and Mr Herman Lee, Permanent Advisor of the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors.
The partnership will encompass research into various I&T applications for the Lam Tei Project, including generative artificial intelligence, robotics technology and the Internet of Things, aim at developing pioneering elderly care services to enhance residents’ experience. Building energy management technology will also be considered to improve energy efficiency.
Ir Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI, emphasised the institute’s commitment to enhance quality of life through technologies. “With our robust capabilities and extensive experience in innovative research and development, we have secured over 1,100 patents and completed more than 1,500 technology transfer to industry,” he said.
“By integrating advanced technologies such as AI-driven healthcare solutions and centralised smart sensing platforms, we will provide bespoke elderly care solutions to fully support Pok Oi Hospital in establishing a high-performing, sustainable, and socially responsible smart residential care home for the elderly, whilst driving service innovation and improving the well-being of senior citizens,” he added.
Ms Kelly Huang, Chairman of Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors noted the Project’s significance as Hong Kong’s largest residential care home for the elderly operated by a single organisation. “With over 1,400 residential places, the Lam Tei Project represents a new venture requiring holistic planning on facilities management, resource allocation and staffing arrangements to uphold the reputation of Pok Oi’s professional and high-quality service.”
“We are pleased to collaborate with ASTRI to explore intelligent technology solutions that helps us to formulate future operational strategies at an early stage. The integration of I&T will also enhance operational efficiency whilst enabling frontline staff to focus more on our elderly residents, putting Pok Oi’s people-oriented mission into practice.” Ms Huang added.
Both parties expect to leverage Lam Tei as their flagship project, continuously expanding the “future elderly care” service model to become an industry benchmark and elevate Hong Kong’s elderly care services through I&T.
Photos Download: http://bit.ly/4l2Eesi
(Back row, left to right) Ir Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI; Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology; Mr Edward To, Director of Social Welfare; and Mr Herman Lee, Permanent Adviser to the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors, witnessing the MoU signing by Ir Chris Chong, Acting CEO and Chief Operating Officer of ASTRI (front row, left) and Ms Kelly Huang, Chairman of the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors (front row, right). The partnership launches research into innovation and technology applications for Pok Oi’s Lam Tei Project, aims at establishing Hong Kong’s largest “smart residential care home for the elderly”
About ASTRI
Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: Advanced Electronic Components and Systems; Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies; Communications Technologies; Intelligent Perception and Control Technologies, and IoT Sensing and AI Technologies. It is applied across six core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, Application Specific Integrated Circuits and Metaverse.
Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. ASTRI has transferred more than 1,500 technologies to the industry and has been granted over 1,100 patents in the Mainland, the United States, and other countries. For further information, please visit www.astri.org.
About Pok Oi Hospital
Pok Oi Hospital was founded in 1919 and has always adhered to the mission of “We Love, We Care, We Serve”. Today, Pok Oi has developed into a sizable charitable institution with 123 service units across Hong Kong. Its service scope includes Western and traditional Chinese medicine, dental services, elderly care, youth and family services, educational services and transitional housing services, reaching various levels of society and providing essential services to millions of beneficiaries every year. For further information, please visit Pok Oi Hospital website: https://pokoi.org.hk/.
Broadcom’s 340% rally has Wall Street debating if it’s Magnificent Seven material – The Mercury News
(Bloomberg/Carmen Reinicke) — For more than two years, conversations about the biggest, most important technology companies have revolved around the same seven stocks. Now, some on Wall Street are making the case that Broadcom Inc. should be part of that discussion. Relentless spending on artificial intelligence computing gear has juiced the chipmaker’s revenue and profits, […]
(Bloomberg/Carmen Reinicke) — For more than two years, conversations about the biggest, most important technology companies have revolved around the same seven stocks. Now, some on Wall Street are making the case that Broadcom Inc. should be part of that discussion.
Relentless spending on artificial intelligence computing gear has juiced the chipmaker’s revenue and profits, driving a more than 340% rally since the start of 2023 and vaulting it into an elite cohort of stocks with a market value of at least $1 trillion. Meanwhile, Tesla Inc. — one of the original so-called Magnificent Seven stocks — has tumbled 22% this year as Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s foray into US politics sparked a backlash against the electric vehicle maker.
Broadcom, on the other hand, is expected to see its sales jump 22% in fiscal 2025 and 21% in fiscal 2026, according to analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. That growth is second only to Nvidia Corp. in the Magnificent Seven, which includes Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp., Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc. Tesla’s revenue, by contrast, is expected to shrink 1% this year.
“Broadcom would be a fair substitute for Tesla,” according to Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at Jonestrading, who was among the first to use the Magnificent Seven moniker in early 2023. “Simultaneously we have witnessed Broadcom’s business grow with the AI space while Tesla’s core business has been challenged.”
Garmin just launched the Index Sleep Monitor – here are 9 things you need to know about it
Garmin has unveiled a new sleep tracking wearable It’s yours for $169.99 / £149.99 / AU$299 The band is able to track multiple metrics while you sleep Much as I love my Garmin Instinct 3, I don’t like wearing it while sleeping – it’s not uncomfortable, but it’s too chunky and heavy for bed. Now […]
The band is able to track multiple metrics while you sleep
Much as I love my Garmin Instinct 3, I don’t like wearing it while sleeping – it’s not uncomfortable, but it’s too chunky and heavy for bed. Now there’s an alternative for me and everyone else who owns one of the best Garmin watches: the Index Sleep Monitor.
The newly unveiled wearable looks like an oversized Whoop tracker. Crucially, it’s screenless and lightweight, so it shouldn’t interfere with a good night’s sleep – and it can last a week between battery charges. There are even two sizes to choose between, either small/medium or large/extra large.
SportsVisio Secures $3.2M Additional Funding to Scale AI Sports Solution
Investment fuels expansion across basketball and volleyball markets with funding from Sapphire Sport, Hyperplane, and new partners including Mighty Capital and Sony Innovation Fund BOSTON, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SportsVisio, putting the power of advanced AI technology into the hands of every athlete, coach, and fan, today announced $3.2 million incremental funding, bringing its […]
Investment fuels expansion across basketball and volleyball markets with funding from Sapphire Sport, Hyperplane, and new partners including Mighty Capital and Sony Innovation Fund
BOSTON, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SportsVisio, putting the power of advanced AI technology into the hands of every athlete, coach, and fan, today announced $3.2 million incremental funding, bringing its total capital raised to $9M. The round includes continued support from existing investors Sapphire Sport, Hyperplane and Sovereign’s Capital, and welcomes Mighty Capital, Sony Innovation Fund, Alumni Ventures, Waterstone Impact Fund and new strategic angels.
The addition of Sony Innovation Fund is of particular importance. With their deep expertise at the intersection of content, entertainment, and emerging technology, Sony Innovation Fund brings a unique perspective that aligns with SportsVisio’s vision to reimagine how sports are captured, analyzed, and shared.
“At Sony Innovation Fund, we invest in technologies with the potential to reshape industries — and SportsVisio is a perfect example of that,” said Austin Noronha, Managing Director, Sony Ventures in the U.S. “Their AI-driven platform delivers professional-grade tools to youth and amateur athletes, transforming how sports moments are captured and shared. We’re excited to back a team that’s expanding access to high-quality sports content and empowering the next generation of athletes.”
“At Mighty Capital, we invest in products that people love — and SportsVisio is a perfect example. They’ve combined cutting-edge AI with an intuitive user experience to create a product that athletes, coaches, and leagues rely on. Their rapid adoption and deep engagement are clear signals of long-term value, and we’re thrilled to partner with them as they transform how sports are experienced and shared,” shared Jennifer Vancini, General Partner at Mighty Capital.
This funding will power sales and marketing growth initiatives, as SportsVisio scales its offerings across basketball and volleyball and new sports like baseball for amateur, youth and professional sports organizations around the world.
“We’re thrilled to have the continued backing of Sapphire Sport and Hyperplane, and to bring on these new partners,” said Jason Syversen, SportsVisio Founder and CEO. “This funding and strategic guidance will help us to expand on our mission to provide smarter, AI-driven solutions that help teams and players win—on and off the court.”
The announcement follows three major product milestones recently achieved: the launch of SportsVisio’s Coach Mode, designed to deliver deeper insights into player performance, team trends, and game flow for the coaching audience; the release of its fully featured volleyball platform, now providing AI-powered stats and automated highlights to one of the fastest-growing sports globally; and the addition of a 3×3 product to enable the fast growing and fast paced format. These innovations reinforce SportsVisio’s commitment to building sport-specific tools that empower coaches and players with actionable data and access to video.
SportsVisio is trusted by more than 150 leagues, clubs, and teams and 16,000 users throughout 16 countries, empowering coaches, athletes, and teams to elevate their game through data-driven decision-making and video highlights and content.
About SportsVisio
SportsVisio is revolutionizing sports analytics through its AI-powered platform that delivers real-time stats, video highlights, and performance insights. The platform supports basketball and volleyball, with plans to expand into additional sports. For more information, find SportsVisio online at www.sportsvisio.com or on social media at facebook.com/SportsVisioAI, instagram.com/sportsvisio/, tiktok.com/@sportsvisio, and linkedin.com/company/sportsvisio.
About Mighty Capital
Mighty Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that capitalizes on the growing influence of product management in corporate success. Founded by SC Moatti, a former Facebook mobile tech expert, and Jennifer Vancini, a seasoned professional with over 20 years in tech investments and M&A, the firm taps into Moatti’s Products That Count network of over 600,000 product managers and CPOs to gain insights into startups and corporate needs. The real “Why now?” is the AI revolution, which has reshaped corporate power structures, accelerating the shift towards digital products and services, thereby elevating the role of product managers. As a result, Fortune 1000 companies with CPOs have increased 10x in 3 years and are outperforming their peers. Mighty Capital’s focus on this product management revolution has led to high returns and minimized risk. Notable investments include Amplitude, Groq, and Canela. Founders and institutional investors praise the firm for its exceptional value, rapid execution, and ability to spot trends early. Learn more at Mighty.Capital.
About Sony Ventures Corporation
Sony Ventures Corporation manages the Sony Innovation Fund (SIF), which invests in all stages of emerging technology companies, as well as in startups solving global environmental challenges. SIF engages with pioneering startups to help fuel the development of disruptive technologies, launch new businesses, and contribute to the environment while seeking return on investment. Sony Ventures Corporation is headquartered in Japan. Learn more at www.sonyinnovationfund.com.
About Waterstone Impact Fund
WaterStone Impact Fund is a venture capital fund dedicated to accelerating world-class companies that fuel and amplify faith, hope, and love. Targeting companies that utilize AI and robotics, the WaterStone Impact Fund seeks to support ventures that align with its mission of integrating faith-based values with technological innovation. The majority of the fund’s carried interest is directed to the Tim Tebow Foundation, supporting initiatives against human trafficking, child exploitation, orphan care, profound medical needs, and special needs ministry in over 100 countries worldwide. Learn more at waterstoneimpactfund.com.
About Alumni Ventures
Alumni Ventures is America’s largest venture capital firm for individual investors. The firm has raised over $1.4 billion from a community of more than 11,000 accredited investors and built a diversified portfolio of 1,600+ current and historical companies across sectors and stages. Alumni Ventures offers individuals unique access to professionally managed venture capital and backs innovative founders building the future. Learn more at www.av.vc.
DAZN launches Meta Quest app for FIFA Club World Cup viewing
DAZN is launching a free-to-download “extended reality” version of its app for Meta Quest headsets that will offer immersive viewing of 63 FIFA Club World Cup matches. Branded “DAZN: FIFA Club World Cup XR Experience,” available in the Meta Horizon store and accessible to U.S. DAZN subscribers, the app will give viewers access to multi-camera-angle […]
DAZN is launching a free-to-download “extended reality” version of its app for Meta Quest headsets that will offer immersive viewing of 63 FIFA Club World Cup matches.
Branded “DAZN: FIFA Club World Cup XR Experience,” available in the Meta Horizon store and accessible to U.S. DAZN subscribers, the app will give viewers access to multi-camera-angle match livestreams, interactive stat panels and a 3D tabletop viewer that overlays a real-time, rewindable virtual model of the pitch and players onto a flat surface.
During the finals, semi-finals and one quarter-final match, the app will also feature live, 180-degree camera feeds that simulate the experience of watching from the sideline.
The app was developed in collaboration with augmented reality developer Immersiv.io, one of SBJ’s 10 Most Innovative Sports Tech Companies for 2025.
One year later, I still swear by the Fitbit Charge 6 — and it’s on sale ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2025
Over the last few years, fitness trackers have become all the rage in the health and wellness space, thanks to the ultra-personalized biometric data they can provide. Fitness smartwatches have always intrigued me, but sticker shock — and, oftentimes, their bulky designs — have always scared me off. That’s why when I came across the […]
Over the last few years, fitness trackers have become all the rage in the health and wellness space, thanks to the ultra-personalized biometric data they can provide. Fitness smartwatches have always intrigued me, but sticker shock — and, oftentimes, their bulky designs — have always scared me off. That’s why when I came across the Google Fitbit Charge 6, I was intrigued.
The health and fitness tracker has a sleek, minimal design, and thanks to early Prime Day deals, it’s on sale for $160 ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2025 — far less expensive than many similar smartwatches. Could this health tracker help me stay motivated and reach my fitness goals? Would it teach me something new about my body? To read my full review of the Google Fitbit Charge 6 Advanced Health and Fitness Tracker, scroll below.
Amazon
Save on the Fitbit Charge 6 fitness tracker with GPS, heart rate and sleep.
$160 at Amazon
What is it?
The Google Fitbit Charge 6 is a wearable fitness tracker that tracks your heart rate, exercise and movements, thanks to its built-in GPS. This device is worn on your wrist like a regular watch and automatically keeps track of your daily physical activity. From daily step count to heart rate, calories burned, distance travelled and a sleep log, the watch can provide health data at a glance and give reminders to help you meet your goals.
The Google Fitbit Charge 6 also comes with a free app that provides more thorough data about your physical health and habits. The app tracks your route on bike rides or runs through a built-in GPS, provides sleep insights like how much REM sleep you got, and records how much time you spend engaging in heart-pumping activities.
Unlike many other fitness trackers, the Google Fitbit Charge 6 is quite small, so it’s discreet and easier to blend in with my daily wardrobe. It’s also lightweight and can be worn comfortably 24/7. It’s even waterproof, so you can wear it in the shower or in the pool.
What I like about it
Pros and cons of the Google Fitbit Charge 6.
It’s easy to set up: The first thing you need to do is charge your watch, which takes about an hour. While it charges, you can download the app onto your smartphone and create your profile. You’ll be asked to provide personal details like your height, weight and gender so the watch can better track you. When your watch is fully charged, all you need to do is put it on, and you’re all set. I can typically go 6-7 days before I need to charge the watch, so the battery life is awesome.
Intuitive user interface: I am not a tech-savvy person, so if I’m going to invest in a piece of tech, it’s got to be simple to use. I was pleasantly surprised by just how intuitive the watch and app are. The watch is perfect for at-a-glance data detailing your daily physical activity. Simply tap the screen and scroll down to see how many steps you’ve taken, how many calories you’ve burned and how far you’ve travelled that day. You can log an exercise on the watch or in the app by choosing from a menu of 40 exercises ranging from aerobics, golfing, CrossFit and dancing.
I track my health data with the Fitbit app and it’s been a game-changer in reaching my goals
In-depth insight: The app provides insights into my health and habits that I would not know otherwise, like a stress management score based on your body’s signs of stress, insights into your sleep cycle, and heartbeats per minute. It presents the data in a way that is easily digestible and identifies trends in your habits so you know if you’re making progress in reaching your goals.
Records activity automatically: My favourite feature of the Google Fitbit Charge 6 is that it records your activity automatically, so even if you forget to begin a workout on the device (which I often do), it still tracks it. The watch will vibrate and let you know when it detects that you’ve started an exercise like biking, running or walking. From there, you just click YES, and it logs your workout data.
Look and feel: One of the biggest factors that has stopped me from getting into fitness trackers is their physical appearance. I’m not a fan of the bulky metal frame and big watch face strapped to your wrist. I appreciate how small and subtle the Google Fitbit Charge 6 is, and because of its size, it’s so lightweight to the point that I forget that I’m wearing it. You can buy additional bands that can be swapped out, which is also a plus.
Room for improvement
The only thing that really irks me about this watch is the charger. It’s bulky and unlike any other charger I have, meaning if I misplace it (which I have been known to do) or it breaks, I have to order another one. If you misplace things often, like I do, you might want to order a backup charger so you’re never left with a dead Fitbit.
Testing out the Google Fitbit Charge 6 (Photo via Vanessa Nigro).
What other people say
4.2/5 stars
7,600+ reviews
“Spectacular watch”
The Fitbit is a fan favourite on Amazon Canada, with hundreds of five-star reviews singing its praises.
One shopper calls it “light,” noting they “can’t feel it on the wrist,” making it comfortable for everyday wear. It “gives all the information the average person would need and more,” they write.
The Fitbit is a “great basic fitness tracker,” comments another. They said it has “some solid improvements over previous models” and features “pretty accurate health tracking.” “The screen is easy to read, even in direct sunlight,” they add.
While hundreds shoppers say they love this tracker, some note that “there’s better watches out there.” Some complain about the band, stating it’s “already super worn [and] peeling,” while others say the “battery needs to be charged constantly.”
Do you need one?
If you’re looking for a user-friendly fitness tracker that will help you keep motivated and provide in-depth insights into your health and habits, the Google Fitbit Charge 6 will give you all that and more. It provides all the basic health metrics, automatically tracks activity, and sends reminders to move your body throughout the day. For more in-depth data, download the app to see things like your running route, your sleep cycle or your body’s stress management score.
In my experience, I think the Google Fitbit Charge 6 is worth it, especially if you don’t love the look of bulky smartwatches. It’s been a total game-changer for me and has helped me crush my fitness goals.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Let us know what you think by emailing us, commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
4.2/5 stars
7,600+ reviews
“Spectacular watch”
