CasinoBeats

UKGC continues evolution into new era of data 

The UK Gambling Commission has continued its mission to “establish a new baseline for understanding gambling behaviour in Britain” by publishing the second part of its Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB).

It marks a transformation in the way data is collected and presented by the body as it adopts new methodologies.

A sample size of 5191 adults aged 18+ was analysed by the National Centre of Social Research (NatCen) for the period of January-to-April for the wave 1 research.

While the Gambling Commission was keen to underline that the latest results aren’t comparable to previous results due to an evolution of methodology, it revealed that the main reason respondents gambled was ‘for the chance to win big money’ and ‘because it’s fun’. 

Furthermore, the UKGC detailed that participation in gambling currently stood at 48%, falling to 27% if removing those who have only played lottery products in the past four weeks.

In terms of demographics, participation is at its peak for ..

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Wynn Las Vegas forfeits $130m for unlicensed money transmitting allegations

Las Vegas casino Wynn Las Vegas (WLV), a subsidiary of Wynn Resorts, has forfeited $130m as part of a non-prosecution agreement with the US Department of Justice and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California over unlicensed money transmitting allegations.

According to a US Attorney’s Office statement, WLV forfeited $130,131,645 to “settle criminal allegations that it conspired with unlicensed money transmitting businesses worldwide to transfer funds for the financial benefit of the casino”.

It is also believed to be the largest forfeiture by a casino based on admissions of criminal wrongdoing.

US Attorney Tara McGrath commented: “Casinos, like all businesses, will be held to account when they allow customers to evade US laws for the sake of profit.

“Federal oversight seeks to prevent illegal funds from tainting legitimate businesses, ensuring that casinos offer a clean, thriving, and safe entertainment option.”

Through the non-prosecution agreement, which a..

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Netherlands renews gambling addiction e-learning module for healthcare professionals

Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch gaming authority, has announced that GGZ Ecademy is organising a problem gambling webinar as part of the renewed free e-learning module ‘Gambling Problems’ launch.

GGZ Ecademy’s webinar is being funded by the Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF) and is in collaboration with Verslavingskunde Nederland (Addiction Studies Netherlands), the Trimbos Institute and the addiction agency Jellinek.

When the Dutch market opened up for online gambling, a digital training offer was developed by Jellinek at the request of the Ministry of Justice and Security.

The training was designed to inform professionals – such as doctors, POH GGZ, psychologists and debt counsellors – about addiction problems in online gambling so they could identify gambling addiction better and earlier.

The training has since been further developed with the e-learning module Gambling Problems updated to include case studies on young adults and gambling, making gambling a topic of discussion in ge..

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Sky Bet’s Steve Birch: Balance is essential in discussions around UK market 

The UK gambling industry has been in the midst of a period of transformation, as it awaits what’s next for the implementation of the white paper following governmental changes in the country.

Speaking to SBCNews, Chief Commercial Officer of Sky Betting & Gaming Steve Birch underlined that they share the government’s ambitions to reduce gambling harm.

The journey for improved customer care is one that Sky Bet has been on for a significant amount of time, as Birch revealed they have adjusted marketing campaigns and sought to ensure they are placing focus on the most impactful areas.

He stated: “It is definitely a good thing that, as a sector, we are looking to raise standards, which can only mean a more sustainable future. There is no doubt there are things that happened in the past that, as a sector, we cannot be proud of.

“However, we need to ensure that the debate around igaming is balanced. Sports betting and slots/casino games are responsibly enjoyed by millions in the UK and ..

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EGBA: Finland’s online gambling legislation needs fine-tuning

The European Gaming and Betting Association’s Secretary General Maarten Haijer has said Finland’s online gambling legislation proposal is “heading in the right direction” but it needs “some fine-tuning”.

Finland’s Ministry of Interior revealed a legislative project in October last year that will introduce a licensing system for gambling in the country, moving away from the monopoly system.

The licence system will cover online casino and online sports betting, while also taking away the monopoly status of state-owned operator Veikkaus in the market.

At the time, the EGBA showed their support for the changes. However, while reaffirming the association’s backing in their latest announcement, Haijer also highlighted some areas of the proposal that need adjustments.

Specifically, the Secretary General spotlighted the proposed marketing restrictions and the proposed blanket ban on bonuses within the legislation.

“While Finland’s proposal is heading in the right direction, some areas req..

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Sky Bet’s Steve Birch: Balance is essential in discussions around UK market 

The UK gambling industry has been in the midst of a period of transformation, as it awaits what’s next for the implementation of the white paper following governmental changes in the country.

Speaking to SBCNews, Chief Commercial Officer of Sky Betting & Gaming Steve Birch underlined that they share the government’s ambitions to reduce gambling harm.

The journey for improved customer care is one that Sky Bet has been on for a significant amount of time, as Birch revealed they have adjusted marketing campaigns and sought to ensure they are placing focus on the most impactful areas.

He stated: “It is definitely a good thing that, as a sector, we are looking to raise standards, which can only mean a more sustainable future. There is no doubt there are things that happened in the past that, as a sector, we cannot be proud of.

“However, we need to ensure that the debate around igaming is balanced. Sports betting and slots/casino games are responsibly enjoyed by millions in the UK and ..

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Sweepstakes sector launches Social and Promotional Gaming Association

The sweepstakes casino sector’s continued growth has led stakeholders to launch the Social and Promotional Gaming Association, advocating for responsible social casino gaming.

Acting as a trade body for the sector, the SPGA has brought together companies within the social casino space to uphold player protection and create a “safe, legal and engaging” social gaming environment.

“The formation of the SPGA is a critical step toward establishing a clear and cohesive voice for the social sweepstakes industry,” said Seth Schorr, CEO at FSG Digital Inc.

“By creating this association, we are committed to helping regulators and policymakers understand how our industry’s products work and how they comply with the appropriate state and federal laws.”

Sweepstake casinos allow players to access free-to-play casinos that often operate using in-game currencies, with players not always needing to make any deposits while still being able to gain prizes.

The sector has faced much scrutiny in r..

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BGC CEO Grainne Hurst focused on delivering ‘stability, growth and diversity’

Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst has stated that she will focus on delivering “stability, growth and diversity” across the UK gambling industry as white paper proposals are implemented.

Hurst’s comments come as she officially becomes the new CEO of the BGC after being confirmed for the role in April, joining the organisation from Entain where she had been Group Corporate Affairs Director since March 2018.

Her appointment was also part of a wider restructuring of the BGC’s senior leadership, with former CEO Michael Dugher becoming Chair after Brigid Simmonds stepped down from the position in April.

Making her first comments as BGC CEO, Hurst committed to delivering the white paper to help bring stability, growth and diversity to the UK gambling sector.

“I’m absolutely delighted to get started as CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, the industry champion for so many iconic brands, at home in the UK and around the world,” Hurst said.

“This is a crucial time for the BGC’..

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Bally’s agrees to partnership with EPIC Global Solutions

Bally’s has partnered with EPIC Global Solutions to promote responsible gaming practices and raise awareness of gaming’s potential impacts.

The three-year partnership will see EPIC’s lived experience team educate Bally’s partners across the UK and the US as part of their “shared commitment to creating safer and more enjoyable gaming environments”.

The two organisations aim to “set new standards for responsible gaming and create a safer and more enjoyable gaming environment for all”.

Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation, commented: “Bally’s and EPIC Global Solutions are committed to setting new standards for responsible gaming with a three-year commitment.

“Together, we are creating safer and more enjoyable gaming environments through educating multiple partners in the gaming ecosystem, harnessing the power of EPIC’s lived experience approach in both the UK and US.”

Through the partnership, Bally’s and EPIC aim to emphasise the importance of responsible gaming to “minimise th..

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The Star reviewing financial and liquidity position to finalise FY24

The Star Entertainment Group has stated that it is reviewing its financial and liquidity position after the publication of its preliminary financial report for the 2024 financial year was delayed.

The update follows the casino operator’s request for a trading halt on the Australian Stock Exchange last week, as an independent inquiry into the operator by Adam Bell SC highlighted continuing regulatory shortcomings.

Appointed by the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission, Bell conducted an initial investigation into the Australian casino operator in 2022, deeming the operator unsuitable to hold a casino licence due to serious regulatory failures.

Following these findings, the NICC tasked Bell with another inquiry into The Star, which was published on 30 August 2024.

According to a NICC statement, the second Bell report “validated the concerns that prompted the second inquiry”. The Star then postponed the release of its FY2024 results and requested a trading halt from the ASX.
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