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On Tuesday, the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group launched a new project aiming to address the growing problem of online gambling and gaming among young people.

The Group created a 2024 policy paper on “strategies and regulatory options aimed at reducing risks and harms related to online gaming and online gambling.” The paper found that gambling and gaming products were deliberately made to be “as immersive and addictive as possible.”

The new project was launched at the start of a two-day conference in Rome. It seeks to counter these issues through policy and raise awareness among the 46 members of the Council of Europe.

Orsolya Kiraly, a researcher at the Eotvos Lorand University’s Institute of Psychology in Budapest, said that only a small number of adolescents experience the worst effects, which include addition-like symptoms, but in these rare cases the negative consequences are severe and include functional impairment.

Kiraly added that online gambling and gaming are of par..

Paddy Power has raised over £1m for Prostate Cancer UK via ‘The Bigger 180’ campaign, part of its sponsorship of the PDC World Darts Championship.

In its second year, the initiative has once again seen the operator donate £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every maximum score at the world championship, which concluded last Friday night when Luke Littler defeated Michael van Gerwen by seven sets to three.

In total, 907 maximums were thrown during the tournament, with Littler throwing the most with 76, followed by van Gerwen with 56 and Callan Rydz with 43.

Paddy Power also pledged £60,000 to the charity for each nine-dart finish at the event, of which two were recorded by Christian Kist and Damon Heta. This brought the total amount donated to Prostate Cancer UK through ‘The Bigger 180’ campaign to £1.027m.

Jack Wilson, Head of Content at Paddy Power, said to SBC News: “We offered a £180,000 bonus for every nine-darter – shared between player, fan and Prostate Cancer UK – while once ag..

bet365 has gone live with its online casino and sports betting products in Brazil following the launch of the country’s regulated igaming market.

Available via the bet365 app and website, players in the South American country can now play on the bet365 Casino platform, which features live casino and slots content including multi-layered jackpots, classic-style fruit games and the latest titles.

With headquarters in Barueri, São Paulo, bet365 is also bringing its sports betting offering to Brazil and its responsible gambling tools to help customers play safely.

bet365 was one of over 60 businesses confirmed recently by Brazil’s Ministry of Finance to have completed full licence applications for the Brazilian igaming market.

“We are delighted to announce our launch in Brazil, and deliver a premium sports betting experience to this vibrant market,” commented a spokesperson for bet365.

“Football fans around the world share a love of the beautiful game, but nowhere is that passion mor..

GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the UK’s New Year’s Honours List for 2025.

In a statement on its website, the gambling support charity explained that Osmond has received an OBE for services to tackling gambling harms.

Osmond has been working with GambleAware for over six years, previously serving as a Campaign Advisor from September 2018 before becoming CEO of the charity in April 2021.

“I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive this OBE,” stated Osmond.

“This is recognition of the tireless efforts of the whole team at GambleAware, our partners, and the wider lived experience community who have shared their personal stories and insights with the hope of reducing gambling-related harm across Great Britain.”

Osmond continued: “I am privileged to lead an organisation that is committed to supporting those affected by gambling harms, raising awareness, and driving meaningful change.

“As we enter a new year, we must continue to wo..

GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the UK’s New Year’s Honours List for 2025.

In a statement on its website, the gambling support charity explained that Osmond has received an OBE for services to tackling gambling harms.

Osmond has been working with GambleAware for over six years, previously serving as a Campaign Advisor from September 2018, before becoming CEO of the charity in April 2021.

“I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive this OBE,” stated Osmond.

“This is recognition of the tireless efforts of the whole team at GambleAware, our partners, and the wider lived experience community who have shared their personal stories and insights with the hope of reducing gambling-related harm across Great Britain.”

Osmond continued: “I am privileged to lead an organisation that is committed to supporting those affected by gambling harms, raising awareness, and driving meaningful change.

“As we enter a new year, we must continue to w..

LeoVegas Group has become the newest member of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA).

As part of its EGBA membership, LeoVegas will contribute to the association’s working groups and initiatives covering responsible advertising, safer gambling, and the implementation of EU anti-money laundering rules, helping to advance industry cooperation and standards.

“As a company committed to safer gambling and technological innovation, we look forward to contributing our expertise to EGBA’s important work,” commented Carl Brincat, Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs at LeoVegas Group.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision of leading the way towards a sustainable and well-regulated gambling industry in Europe.”

With its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, LeoVegas offers online casino, live casino, and sports betting across nine brands in 10 jurisdictions. It has also been a subsidiary of MGM Resorts International since 2022.

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of ..