SBC News

PlayItForward has spearheaded safer gambling efforts for Apricot for a number of years, leading to the initiative playing a critical part in driving forward a variety of schemes across the industry.

Over the course of a three-part SBC News special, three of these, namely Betknowmore, Gordon Moody and Beacon Counselling Trust, elaborated on their own continuing efforts, as well as the role that the partner-led CSR programme has and continues to play.

As the landscape of UK gambling gets set for drastic change via a mandated levy to generate £100m for the research, prevention and treatment of harms, each of the aforementioned trifecta offered reflections on the importance of PlayItForward funding in helping to push them forwards.

Here, Dr Liz Riley, Betknowmore UK’s Head of Research & Evaluation, noted the crucial contribution of Apricot’s scheme in helping to develop fresh, and in some instances never-before-seen, opportunities within the realm of gambling harms.

“When I joined Betk..

Dr. Michael Auer, Managing Director of OpenBet’s Neccton
Dr. Michael Auer, Managing Director of OpenBet’s Neccton, examines how robust player protection tools can address the risks that Brazilians currently face in order to facilitate a safer experience

Brazil’s regulated market is set to go live in less than a month and the first list of authorised operators has now been announced. As the noise around the market’s opening grows louder, the need for responsible gaming measures has never been clearer.

The issue of problematic gaming behaviors was brought to the attention of mainstream media recently when a report suggested that Brazilian bettors are taking out loans with up to 438% interest to fund the current betting spend. This demonstrates the reason why regulation is being introduced in Brazil to create a safer environment, while also underscoring the urgent need for operators to equip themselves with the necessary tools to protect players.

Many locally licensed operators, such a..

The Dutch gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has launched a new advertising campaign that raises the awareness of player self-exclusion.

Bearing the motto “Pack your life again, take a gambling stop’, the initiative is a continuation of KSA’s pilot self-exclusion marketing of the national CRUKS register from last year.

The primary target group of the new campaign is young adults who may be experiencing problem gambling behaviour. Therefore, the marketing efforts behind the awareness initiative are all largely focused on social media rather than traditional media outlets.
Across the online videos, social ads and posts, a number of young people can be seen interacting with others in various social situations, implicating the importance of interpersonal relationships and how losing control over gambling can harm them.
Operated by the KSA, CRUKS was launched back in 2021 as part of the Dutch government’s mandate of the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) to regulate the online gambli..

According to a study commissioned by GambleAware, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has shown the strongest evidence of positive impact on treating gambling disorders.

Conducted by the National Centre for Social Research, the paper focuses on reviewing literature published between 2020 and 2024 exploring evidence around psychological and psychosocial interventions.

Besides CBT, the range of intervention types also features Motivational Interventions, Residential Treatment, helplines, peer-led group programmes, and intervention for affected others – also known as support for people affected by someone else’s gambling.

The evidence-based approach focused on measures relating to gambling, such as the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), gambling participation, and money spent – instead of broader metrics like mental health, financial and relationship harm.

CBT’s effectiveness in positively impacting intervention was backed by “strong evidence”, however it is worth noting that ..

The Secretariat for Prizes and Betting (SPA) has informed relevant authorities that it has granted full authorisations to 71 businesses that applied for federal online gambling licenses.

The update came from SPA President Regis Dudena, who informed the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on Bets about businesses that met all qualifying criteria ahead of the market’s launch on January 1, 2025.

Dudena stated that as of December 11, the SPA has authorised 71 applications out of 114 submitted to its agency.

Businesses authorised for licenses have been cleared to pay an upfront concession fee of R$30 million (€5 million), which must be completed within a 30-day window.

Effective from January 1, 2025, Bet licenses are valid for a five-year period, with authorisations allowing up to “three skins” per license.

Updating the CPI, Dudena confirmed: “Seventy-one companies have already been notified by the Ministry of Finance, and they have 30 days from the notification to meet these fin..

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ordered internet service providers (ISPs) to block six new illegal websites operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The websites—Eddy Vegas, Lucky Friends, Lucky Ones, MoonWin, Slottie, and SpinsUP —were found to be offering illegal online gambling services to Australian consumers.

This action is part of ACMA’s ongoing efforts to protect Australian consumers from unlicensed and potentially harmful gambling services.

ISP blocking, introduced in 2019, is one of several enforcement measures designed to address illegal gambling activities. Since its implementation, more than 1,117 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.

Over 220 illegal gambling operators have exited the Australian market since ACMA began stricter enforcement in 2017. These measures aim to ensure that only licensed operators, adhering to strict regulations, provide gambling services in Australia.

ACMA further warned consu..

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has partnered with the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASA Ireland) to monitor standards and conduct in gambling advertising.

The GRAI will officially begin overseeing Ireland’s betting industry by mid-2025, following the approval of the Gambling Regulation Bill (GRB) in October.

This legislation establishes the GRAI as the regulatory authority of Irish gambling, with a mandate to oversee gambling advertising, messaging, and engagement with the general public.

In cooperation with ASA Ireland, the GRAI aims to protect the public by ensuring advertising in the gambling sector adheres to strict standards. The partnership will simplify the complaint process, with both organisations working together to evaluate and address issues.

The GRAI will handle complaints related to licensed operators, while the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland will manage other cases. Consumers will be directed to the appropriate organis..

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has reported record-breaking results from its fourth annual European Safer Gambling Week, held from 18 to 24 November.

This directive which featured a social media campaign and a packed programme of events, showcased the growing commitment of the European gambling operators towards safer practices, with unprecedented levels of participation, promoting responsible gambling practices and safe play.

A total of 195 partners actively participated in the campaign, marking a 20% increase from 2023. Engagement from national gambling authorities also surged, with eight authorities either joining the social media campaign or contributing as speakers at various events – more than double the number involved last year.

The campaign’s reach grew significantly, extending to 26 countries – a 30% increase from 2023. New participants from Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine joined the initiative, demonstrating its expanding pan-European impact. Th..