SBC News

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) have been urged by campaigners to investigate the advertising practices of operators targeting consumers.

The call for regulators to investigate the advertising algorithms and data tracking of operators follows a High Court ruling by Justice Collins Rice that Sky Betting and Gaming (Sky Bet) had violated UK data protection laws.

The High Court had arbitrated a former problem gambler’s case against Sky Bet for advertising to him without obtaining valid consent. Sky Bet was accused of using cookies to create an extensive profile of the problem gambler to target him with personalised adverts via third parties.

The gambler is reported to have lost £45,000 over a decade playing with Sky Bet. He was profiled as a ‘high-value customer’ and did not opt out of marketing communications.

Upon review of the evidence, Justice Collins Rice determined that Sky Bet had breached data protection laws, as its mechanisms..

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published new findings investigating the relationship between reasons for gambling and different gambling activities. The research forms part of the Commission’s new data on consumer behaviour and references the findings of the Gambling Survey of Great Britain (GSGB).

In 2023, the Commission began data gathering on the GSGB, a new research project sanctioned following two years of pilot tests and dedicated fieldwork. The GSGB seeks to deliver first-of-its-kind insights as the largest survey on gambling behaviours conducted by a regulatory authority, with 20,000 respondents.

In 2024, the Commission published the first GSGB updates, providing insights into gambling behaviours via Wave-1 and Wave-2 datasets. Both datasets showed consistency in gambling participation, with 48% of respondents reporting engagement in any gambling activity in the past four weeks.

Helen Bryce: UKGC
GSGB research has enabled the Commission to publish a ‘short report’ on..

The National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) has introduced lived experience-led recovery support groups for people suffering from gambling harm.

In partnership with the EPIC Restart Foundation and Reframe Coaching charities, the NGSN now offers a lived experience service across Great Britain that brings additional expertise and insights into gambling disorders.

Richie Paxton, EPIC Restart Foundation Interim CEO and Head of Programmes, said: “We’re excited to join the National Gambling Support Network and continue to work with other providers to offer a seamless and supportive recovery path to those experiencing gambling harm.

“At EPIC Restart, we are dedicated to offering compassionate guidance and coaching, grounded in lived experience. Our mission is not only to help individuals navigate their recovery, but also to empower them to rebuild their lives with renewed hope and a brighter future.”

With EPIC’s and Reframe’s help, the NGSN will aim to increase the number of people it..

Advertising action in Australia has seen the Minns Labor government move to ban gambling adverts on public transport in New South Wales (NSW).

The ban would see gambling advertising banned from all transport-owned and controlled assets, such as trains, metro, buses, light rail, train stations, and ferry terminals, both internally and externally.

Gambling advertising to be included in the ban extends to all casino, lottery and online betting advertising.

Jo Haylen, Minister for Transport, stated: “Gambling advertising has been a common sight on our public transport for a couple of years now, and I’m pleased our Government is taking action to remove it.

“Parents are rightly worried about the impact it has on their kids, so it’s not something that we think needs to be on our transport network.

“With over 3,500 buses, close to 800 advertising assets at train stations, as well as advertising on light rail and trains, Transport’s advertising contracts are vast. Because of the scale ..

The industry non-profit All-in Diversity Project (AiDP) has reshaped the ‘methodological evolution’ of its All-Index to provide a deeper report and analysis on the inclusivity of the global gambling workforce.

Since 2018, AiDP has reported on the composition of the global gaming workforce and the development and challenges of diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) through the All-Index.

For its forthcoming update, AiDP will reveal “significant shifts in industry participation patterns, leading to a transformative approach in measuring and reporting workplace inclusivity across the global betting and gambling sector.”

These changes reflect the evolving participant profile of the index, which now accounts for a wider representation of organisations involved in various gambling disciplines.

Participants broadening AiDP’s research scope include government regulatory bodies, regional service providers, compliance agencies, independent consultancies, and non-gambling-specific organisat..

Gambling advertising will no longer be permitted on the transport network of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW).

This morning, NSW Premier Chris Minns signed a ‘prohibition agreement’ to ban gambling advertising from being displayed on all state-owned transport assets. NSW will prohibit gambling advertising across its transport network, including trains, metro services, trams, and taxis. Additionally, the ban will cover all stations and terminals used by the public.

The ban will be implemented over a 12-month period, during which NSW will work with contract holders to implement the required changes.

As detailed: “NSW operates one of the largest portfolios of advertising assets across Australia. This includes 798 advertising boards at Sydney train stations, 49 road-facing digital billboards, adverts on up to 3,711 urban buses, 76 trams, and across the Tangara train fleet.”

Since 2023, NSW Premier Chris Minns has implemented a comprehensive action plan to mitigate gambling..

New guidance on identifying problem gambling behaviours and symptoms has been provided to general practitioners (GPs) and other healthcare professionals in the UK by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

GPs have been provided with practical guidance to help identify, assess, and manage gambling-related harms affecting members of local communities.

NICE serves as an independent organisation that provides guidance on health and social care issues to improve the quality and availability of healthcare services for British patients.

Guidance on problem gambling is recommended, recognising that “stigma, shame and fear of disclosure can prevent people experiencing gambling-related harms from talking about gambling and from seeking and accessing support and treatment.

“In addition, stigma may be a particular issue for certain groups, such as people from marginalised, minority, or under-represented communities.”

The guidelines provided to GPs cover problem gambling..