Grainne Hurst has warned of black market gambling being used to raise funds that support illegal business empires.

The CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) spoke of these concerns at the annual Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG) training event.

The event welcomed industry collaboration whilst making those aware of the growing threat of the aforementioned illegal gambling black market.

Hurst, appointed as CEO in September 2024, described this as “a shared challenge”, which therefore requires a shared response.

She added: “GAMLG is the independent body by which we can, together, raise standards across our sector, and ensure we are fulfilling our responsibilities to keep regulated betting and gaming crime free.

“As a sector, we should lead the way in making certain our products are not hijacked and misused by those engaged in illegal activity, activity that has no place in our sector, activity which undermines our laws and our society.

Grainne Hurst
“While we work ..

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) takes role of RET Levy Prevention Commissioner as system demands a measurable understanding of harms…

DCMS has confirmed the appointment of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) to serve in the role of “Prevention Commissioner” of a new structure on gambling harms prevention overseen by the NHS. The appointment was confirmed to Commons by DCMS Minister for Sports and Media, Stephanie Peacock.

An agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, OHID was formed in 2021 to replace Public Health England (PHE), a unit disbanded by the Conservative government’s reorganisation of public health and social care.

A policy advisor to the government, OHID was created to improve efficiencies for the health system of England, by preventing disparities in healthcare and reducing inequalities in the access to treatment.

New RET Levy ready for April
The appointment of OHID is noted as the final body needed for the NHS to..

The creation of a “comprehensive gambling self-exclusion scheme for Brazil” has been prioritised by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA).

On Monday, 10 February, the SPA sanctioned a public consultation seeking feedback from all stakeholders on the launch of the Brazil Bets regime—the federal framework regulating online gambling, which came into effect on 1 January 2025.

The SPA considers that it has completed the ‘first phase’ of its regulatory process, although further laws are still awaiting approval, alongside the authorisation of additional betting licences.

SPA President Regis Dudena emphasised that the regulation of online gambling should be viewed as a “continuous cycle”, stating:

“There are always aspects that need to be reviewed and improved. We are constantly monitoring the practical effects of the rules we have established to understand what needs to be refined.”

Following an extensive process to launch the Bets market, the SPA believes that Brazil now has a “co..

Player protection solution provider Mindway AI has secured a provisional associate membership for The European Lotteries (EL).

Joining 70 members across 39 European countries, Mindway AI’s membership is currently provisional until it receives formal approval from the EL General Assembly in September 2025.

“To join as a proud new member of The European Lotteries, Mindway AI is delighted to contribute to and learn from a community that shares our commitment to integrity and public welfare,” said Mindway AI CEO Rasmus Kjaergaard.

The EL is an umbrella organisation for national lotteries operating games of chance across the continent, including sports betting.

Each year, its members contribute €22bn to society to support projects covering sport, cultural heritage, art, healthcare, education, science and more.

Supporting the EL’s initiatives will align with Mindway AI’s work to advocate for responsible gambling and ‘benefit society as a whole’.

Kjaergaard added: “This partnership ..