iGaming Daily’s “Road to Lisbon” series continues today, with SBC Media Manager and host Charlie Horner joined by Pedro Romero, Chief of Safer Gambling Partnerships at Betblocker. They explore Pedro’s research into psychedelic drug treatment for gambling addiction, as well as exploring ways to prevent gambling harm. Listen to this episode to find out: To…
Fresh experimental research led by Professor Patrick Sturgis has shed light on why gambling surveys see varying levels of participation and generate differing estimates of problem gambling.
The news arrives just weeks after the Gambling Commission (UKGC) pledged to strengthen confidence in the outputs of its new Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) – a study that looks to determine the extent of gambling harm in the UK.
The study’s main output is determining how many Britons can be considered suffering from problem gambling, based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), which their responses to survey questions are assessed against.
The GSGB, launched this summer, has already drawn comparisons with the Health Survey for England (HSE) and Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS), which have both been used to inform policy decisions around gambling harm in the past.
The new research shows that design choices in surveys – from how invitations are worded to whether questions are asked by an interviewer – play a major role in shaping the results.
Why survey mode matters
The study found that explicitly mentioning gambling in an invitation did not affect how many people responded overall, but did attract more people with a personal interest in gambling, resulting in a four-point increase in reported participation.
Meanwhile, when it came to PGSI scores, this effect was smaller at 1.8 points and not statistically significant.
A bigger difference appeared when interview style was tested. Participants completing surveys online were almost 50% more likely to score one or above on the PGSI compared to those answering questions over the phone, underlining how people tend to under-report sensitive behaviour when speaking to an interviewer.
Updating the list of gambling products to reflect new market entries, however, had little to no impact on results.
Ben Haden, Director of Research and Policy at the UKGC, said: “The research builds our confidence in the outputs of GSGB, helps to understand the differences between surveys published on gambling and will improve our guidance for users.”
He stressed that no single study can ever definitively measure participation or harm, but that the regulator will continue to refine the GSGB, expand its use of datasets, and work with other survey providers to build a rounded evidence base.
Next steps for Commission guidance
Professor Sturgis emphasised the experimental design means “strong causal conclusions” can be drawn about the reasons for wide variability across gambling surveys, while noting that no single piece of research can provide the “true” value of participation or harm rates.
The Commission has been advised to update its guidance on interpreting GSGB results to better explain the differences with health surveys such as the HSE and APMS.
The regulator has confirmed that this update will be part of its ongoing improvement programme as it looks ahead to the second annual GSGB report, due for release on 2 October 2025.
With gambling harms still central to the White Paper reforms and under scrutiny in Westminster, the Commission has said it is keen to ensure the GSGB provides the most reliable picture yet of British gambling behaviours.
This data could prove critical as the debate around gambling regulation and the industry’s societal impact remains as heated as ever. Although the government seems committed to seeing out the recommendations of the Gambling Act review, it is facing calls for another regulatory overhaul from a large group of backbench MPs and local governments.
The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) will establish a task force “to combat the scourge” of illegal gambling networks.
The task force will be composed of EEEP units working in coordination with Greece’s national police, judiciary, and financial intelligence unit to dismantle criminal networks and prosecute offenders. Spearheading a “collaborative approach,” the EEEP has called upon broader government agencies and public bodies to engage in joint initiatives.
A deep cooperation is needed as EEEP seeks to understand how illegal gambling networks have used technology to bypass regulatory systems and engage with Greek online consumers.
Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the operational tactics of illegal networks including their use of social media, encrypted messaging apps, and database marketing and the methods through which they obscure financial flows via layered transactional systems.
New intelligence from this initiative will be shared with government stakeholders to shape new policies and protective measures aimed at fortifying Greece’s regulated online gambling sector.
“Members must take unified legal action in Greece and use their capabilities to address this matter. Some recent actions taken (e.g., with the UK) are being assessed by a working group. To this end, there are legal provisions and a legislative framework that the EEEP may activate when necessary,” the Commission stated.
The Hellas Gambling Law was last revised in 2021, formally empowering the EEEP to introduce a permanent online gambling licensing regime. The framework ended a decade-long “grey market transition” by issuing seven-year licences, taxed at €3 million each, for betting and casino operations. The reform brought regulatory clarity and tax accountability to foreign operators that had previously operated under provisional licences.
To underscore the need for continued vigilance, the EEEP has published its economic update on the Greek gambling market, revealing a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €1.24 billion for the period January to May 2025.
The data continues to illustrate a marked shift in consumer behaviour, with online gambling channels now firmly dominating the market. Of the total GGR, over €528 million was generated from online operators, compared to €456 million from land-based betting shops. This hyper divergence highlights the increasing preference of Greek consumers for digital platforms, particularly in sports betting and online casino gaming.
The EEEP emphasises that the creation of the task force is essential to counter growing concerns over the black market. Unlicensed operators are believed to be exploiting online channels to evade tax obligations and undercut licensed providers.
These trends, the Commission warns, pose a direct threat to state revenues and the integrity of the regulated market. Launching the task force and reinforcing its data capabilities, the EEEP aims to restore public trust, protect consumers, and ensure that gambling tax contributions from licensed operators remain robust.
The license-holder of the national problem gambling support hotline 1-800-GAMBLER says it will reject the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) attempts to move the ongoing dispute to arbitration.
The NCPG told SBC Americas and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) on Aug. 13 that it has filed a request with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) amid an ongoing dispute between the two organizations.
On Aug. 14, the CCGNJ told SBC Americas it will reject the request, calling it invalid and vowing to continue running the resource across the U.S. without the NCPG’s involvement.
Two councils, one hotline
Per the CCGNJ, the New Jersey organization has operated 1-800-GAMBLER nationally since 1983. In the last few years, the NCPG has been running it via a license agreement with the CCGNJ for an annual fee of $150,000. However, since a three-year agreement expired in May of this year, the future of the national resource has been thrown into doubt.
In court do..
In today’s episode of iGaming Daily, SBC Media Manager Fernando Noodt is joined by Joe Streeter, Editor of iGaming Expert, and Ana Maria Menezes, Business Journalist for SBC Noticias, to discuss the industry’s latest crackdown on influencer marketing. Tune in to find out: Could these influencers learn a thing or two from Kim Kardashian? Host:…
The Rio de Janeiro police force launched “Desfortuna Operation” carried out by the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro this Thursday, the 7th, already has influencers in its list of targets in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais. The operation focuses on criminal schemes involving the promotion of illegal online gambling. A total…
Research firm, the Fourth Wall, has identified the key differences between the regulated and the unregulated markets in the Philippines, sharing severe concerns over the continued offering of e-sabong, also known as cockfighting.
Utilisation of promotions was also integral to the differences between the two sectors, with promotions for the unlicensed sector being more prevalent and having elevated incentives compared to the regulated sector.
High value bonuses of up to 108% were found as being used to entice players on the unregulated market, underpinning the challenges faced by the regulated market in terms of competing.
At the heart of the differentiation in marketing approaches is the affiliate strategy undertaken by both the regulated and the unregulated sector.
The report revealed that many unregulated operators provide lucrative affiliate programs, sometimes offering 45–65% of Gross Gaming Revenue to attract strong collaborations.
The presence of e-sabong also caused concern, as unregulated operators continue to offer the illegal sport and even tap into audiences that engage with the sport through private groups.
John Brylle L. Bae, Research Director at The Fourth Wall, stated: “Our latest report demonstrates how prohibited games like e-sabong remain easily accessible on unregulated platforms even to high-profile figures, underscoring persistent enforcement challenges.
“Our report shows that the operational differences between regulated and unregulated platforms do not just define how platforms function but also shape the risks and potential harms players face, especially in unregulated spaces.”
He also revealed the need for targeted enforcement and increased public awareness as the threat of the sector continues to grow.
Unsurprisingly, the KYC approach of the unregulated sector is minimal, and according to the report elevates the level of risk associated with the sector – enabling underage players to engage with unregulated gambling sites.
The report also provides details of the impact of payment limitations on the sector and the AML checks implemented by the regulated market.
It leads to the experience of the unregulated market being more frictionless as the challenge for the regulated market to compete intensifies significantly.
The report arrives as the market sits at a crossroads of a vital moment for the gambling sector in the Philippines, with it being reported that a total of four bills, three resolutions and a privilege speech addressing the impact of the online gaming industry will be discussed by the Philippine Senate’s committee on games and amusements.
The outcome will determine whether the industry will be subject to tighter regulations or a total ban.
While increased regulation is not always preferable for the development of an industry, it is clear that change is afoot and greater scrutiny is preferable to an outright ban.In the days before the inquiry began, 19 operators, including Digiplus formed the PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines. The group states that in doing so they have demonstrated their commitment to responsible gaming, regulatory compliance, consumer protection and combatting illegal gambling.
September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/
Brazil is gearing up for a major regulatory shift as the Ministry of Finance finalises the National Betting System (SINAPO) – a new central hub designed to bring all betting operators under one roof.
Built by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), the platform looks to unify oversight at both federal and state levels, giving regulators and consumers a clearer picture of which firms are playing by the rules.
The creation of a public register of licensed companies remains at the heart of the reform. Published on the SPA’s website, the list will make it easier for punters to see which operators are legitimate, while giving approved brands valuable benefits.
From smoother bank account openings to legal advertising and app store inclusion, the move is designed to make life easier for compliant operators, but harder for those outside the system.
More than just a name on the list
Perhaps the biggest lure for operators is the opportunity to use a bet.br domain – a digital stamp that signals full SINAPO approval. Securing it means going through NIC.br, clearing legal checks with state or district authorities, and getting the green light from the SPA.
To get through the door, operators have to meet every requirement in Law No. 14,790/2023. They must also plug into Brazil’s anti-money laundering network, Siscoaf, use geolocation to keep betting inside authorised borders, and have all systems approved by testing labs.
Tightening the net on ownership
The SPA has also detailed plans to dig deeper into who really owns Brazil’s betting brands. Under SINAPO, operators will need to disclose their entire corporate chain, from holding companies to individual shareholders.
This is aimed at stopping the same group from picking up multiple concessions across different states – a restriction rooted in Law No. 13,756/2018.
Ongoing shifts
Since Brazil’s regulated betting market officially launched on 1 January 2025, the scene has been moving fast. Lawmakers are already looking at additional measures that would affect both operators and players.
Last week, Senator Humberto Costa proposed raising the legal betting age from 18 to 21 and capping monthly deposits to the equivalent of one minimum wage, while allowing the Ministry of Finance to set extra daily or weekly limits.
The proposal also targets advertising, aiming to restrict betting promotions between 6am and 10pm, ban sponsorship of public sports, cultural or festival events, and stop all marketing aimed at under-21s.
Costa says these measures are intended to protect vulnerable players, citing cases where gambling has caused serious social harm and even diverted funds from essentials like tuition and daily living.
These steps build on earlier rules introduced since the market rollout, including bans on influencer or athlete endorsements, in-stadium ads and live sports betting promotions.
Brazil’s betting scene is expanding quickly, but regulators seem to be acting just as fast to make sure growth happens responsibly.
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has filed for arbitration in the dispute with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) over the national 1-800-GAMBLER problem gambling hotline.
While NCPG operates and maintains the hotline, it licenses the right to use the number nationally from the CCGNJ for a $150,000 annual fee. The initial three-year agreement expired in May, but NCPG has attempted to take up an option to extend the deal.
NCPG exercised its contractual right to file for a restraining order to prevent the hotline being shut down until the dispute is resolved, and was subsequently granted a temporary restraining order against the CCGNJ by a New Jersey court that keeps the hotline up and running until Aug. 26.
NCPG Director of Communications Cait Huble told SBC Americas that the national council has submitted a request to the American Arbitration Association (AAA) “in accordance with the provisions of the original license agreement” with the CCGNJ. ..
A college quarterback is responding to allegations of impermissible sports wagering.
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is facing backlash after screenshots of his personal Venmo account were shared with several transactions mentioning sports gambling.
The two transactions were both made in November 2022 while Mateer was a student-athlete at Washington State. One of the transactions had a description mentioning a game between USC and UCLA. In a statement, Mateer denied any wrongdoing as the NCAA bans wagering by players, coaches and team officials on all competitions sponsored by the organization. NCAA guidelines stipulate student-athletes who place bets on their teams or on any sport at their institution could face permanent loss of eligibility.
“The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false,” said Mateer in the statement. “My previous Venmo descriptions did not accurately portray the transactions in question, but were instead inside jokes between me and my fr..