UK Gambling Harms Research Centre to assess efficacy of regulations 

Gambling Commission admits faults but backs credibility of Young People and Gambling Survey

France adds new obligations to sign off gambling ad campaigns 

GamStop warns of increase in young adult self-exclusions

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GamStop has recorded a period of record engagement with its national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling during the first half of 2024.

The non-profit organisation reports that more than 49,000 people have self-excluded from online gambling sites in 2024 so far.

In April, GamStop recorded its highest-ever month for self-exclusion registrations since its inception in April 2018, with 8,686 new registrants applying for self-exclusion from online gambling websites.

During the first half of 2024, GamStop registered a total of 49,500 new applicants, bringing the total number of users of its self-exclusion scheme to 482,815.

The UEFA Euros championship had a noticeable impact, with registrations increasing by 8% for the first half of July (knockout stages) compared to the same period last year. Registrations spiked on three particular days: the day after England’s group stage victory over Serbia, the day after England’s extra-time last-16 victory over Slovakia, and the day after th..

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Pennsylvania casinos push for reassessed gaming tax after rise in unlicensed machines

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Casino operators in Pennsylvania have issued a petition to the state’s Supreme Court to reassess its taxation laws in relation to slot machines, skill and hybrid games.

Filing the petition on 29 July, casinos such as Stadium Casino, Chester Downs, Rivers Philadelphia, Parx Casino Shippensburg, Wind Creek and Greenwood Gaming have requested “declaratory and injunctive relief” after considering the state’s lack of taxation on unlicensed operators and machines as “unconstitutional”.

The petition has named the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, along with its Secretary Patrick M Browne, and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as respondents, demanding that taxes be “uniform, upon the same class of subjects”.

Casinos have issued the petition after considering the Pennsylvania Gaming Act’s “substantial” ~50% tax on slot machine revenue as “unconstitutional” due to the lack of taxation on unlicensed gaming operators offering skill and hybrid games.

In 2023 alone, licensed operators ..

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iGaming Ontario selects IC360, IXUP to provide iGaming self-exclusion tool

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iGaming Ontario (iGO), the agency which conducts and manages online gaming and betting in Ontario, has concluded its search for a provider for its planned new self-exclusion system.

iGO announced on Thursday that a joint bid from Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) and IXUP has been selected to develop a new centralized self-exclusion system for Ontario. iGO says the new system will be the first of its kind in North America.

IC360 is a global technology and consultancy firm that specializes in providing comprehensive integrity and compliance solutions for sports, sports betting and online gaming. IXUP Limited is a technology company that develops software facilitating the secure sharing and analysis of sensitive information using advanced encryption tech.

Notably, IXUP is well-versed in the the self-exclusion area; the firm designed, delivered and operates Australia’s BetStop national self-exclusion register.

“This project reflects our ongoing commitment to build on the existing play..

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Massachusetts regulators continue to discuss the practice of limiting bettors

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The five commissioners of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission remain committed to examining the practice of sportsbooks limiting bettors. However, a meeting on Thursday resulted in more talk and no action on the matter.

The discussion follows a May meeting where Bally Bet was the only operator to appear as part of a roundtable discussion on the matter. The other operators in the state declined to participate unless they were granted the opportunity to speak in private executive session about their limiting practices.

MA commissioners want actual action, not just talk

The commissioners were eager to hear from operators but were not interested in convening another round table unless operators were willing to have substantive discussions about how they go about limiting bettors.

“It’s hard for me to believe that the operators don’t have an opinion on this policy decision that we may or may not make,” said Interim Chair Jordan Maynard.

Commissioner Nakisha Skinner warned that this di..

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UKGC tracks record Q1 slots activity against sports declines

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has recorded a 12% increase in online total gross gambling yield (GGY), during the first quarter of the financial year of 2024.

The Commission sourced data on the gambling industry, covering online and in-person gambling with licensed betting operators found on Britain’s high streets. The commission has been collecting data from March 2020 to June 2024.

Providing data for Q1 2024 (April to June), the Commission declared that online total GGY, covering approximately 80% of the online gambling market, reached £1.46 billion, a 12% increase YoY.

Online growth saw Slots activity reach new highs across GGY, spins, and average monthly active accounts, as the segment GGY rose by 10% year-over-year.

The commission noted that it is “currently investigating the categorisation of certain products.” While this could result in some data changes between verticals, it shouldn’t impact the overall totals.

The number of bets and/or spins rose by 11% compared to the..

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SPA publishes rules framework for Brazil Bets’ games and live studios

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The launch of Brazil’s federal online gambling market is nearing its final stages, as the government has published technical ordinances to authorise online casino games and live gaming studios.

Yesterday, the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), the department that will serve as the federal gambling authority of Brazil, submitted Ordinance No. 1,207 to the government.

The document outlines technical requirements for operating online games and live game studios as required by Law No. 14.790 (Betting Law) – which constitutes the regulatory framework of the Brazil Bets Market.

New ordinances are further required to amend rules and criteria related to fixed-odds games supplied by lottery operators prior to the Betting Law.

Significantly, the SPA provides its legal interpretations for the online criteria of multiplier systems, table games, fixed-odds games, live studio games, multi-player games, and fantasy sports. As such, the SPA provides two annexes to break down key requirements..

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BetBlocker, Caesars and IGT among winners of NCPG Awards

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The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) announced the winners of its 2024 National Awards last week, with BetBlocker, Caesars, IGT, Wisconsin Lottery and a host of others all reaching the top of the podium. Each year, NCPG honours individuals and organisations from around the world for their work on problem gambling and responsible gambling. …

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