Researchers from Universities in Gibraltar, Nottingham, Budapest and Adelaide have found a positive association between loot box buying and problem gambling, as well as an association with mental health symptoms. The main aim of the study was to examine the associations between loot box buying, gambling, online gaming, and some mental health symptoms, as well…
Safe Bet Show interviewee Sarah Ramanauskas, the CEO and co-founder of the Game Safety Institute (GSI) makes some hugely perceptive points in her interview with Martin Lycka this week. Creating stigma: Ramauskas points to counter-productive US messaging (‘Please gamble responsibly. Got a problem? Dial 1-800-GAMBLER’) that doesn’t work, and is probably counter-productive. Better regulators: Ramanauskas…
A team of academics from the Universities of Bath, Cambridge, Goldsmiths and Edinburgh, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have launched a scathing attack on the gambling industry in respected medical journal the BMJ. Their paper, ‘Learning from tobacco control to tackle gambling industry harms’ compares the infamous “frank statement” from…
UK treatment provider Gordon Moody is launching its annual gambling harm awareness day on March 18th with the provocative hashtag #Dying4ABet. “This intentionally provocative campaign is designed to break the silence around gambling-related harm, spark meaningful conversations, and provide a route to recovery for those impacted by this often-hidden addiction,” wrote Gordon Moody CEO Monica…
The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) has launched a new campaign called Know Your Play aimed at educating college-aged students about key responsible gaming concepts, including randomness, impulsiveness, and limit setting, while addressing myths like the illusion of control in sports betting. The Know Your Play campaign is being conducted in partnership with EPIC Global…
During the International Responsible Gaming Week, the Ibero-American Corporation of State Lotteries and Betting (Cibelae) announced that it is preparing, together with Loterias do Estado do Paraná (Lottopar) of Brazil, the largest responsible gaming event in Latin America. At a technical meeting held in Foz do Iguaçu, the city known worldwide for hosting one of the seven natural wonders…
The good, the bad and the ugly of the media outcry over US research paper A San Diego university research paper, which concluded that Google searches for ‘gambling’ and terms such as ‘addiction’ and ‘helpline’ have increased 23% since PASPA, has been garnering a lot of attention Stateside. The study also noted an increase in…
UK banks Barclays, First Direct, HSBC UK, Monzo, Starling and Virgin Money join Nationwide in committing to the Money & Mental Health Policy Institute’s Gambling Harms Action Lab. The Lab is an 18-month project that aims to explore new ways for financial institutions to protect their customers from gambling-related harm. “Banks and other financial firms…
A major update to the regulatory framework for Thailand’s casino bill could see the exclusion of the vast majority of Thai nationals from integrated resorts.
Reported by the Bangkok Post, the changes have come as a significant surprise and will have a major impact on the landscape of Thailand’s gambling sector.
One of the key developments is the entry fee that is set to be applied to Thai citizens, charging them US$150 for access to the integrated resorts.
Furthermore, Thai residents would also have to have at least US$1.5m in fixed deposits in order to play at Thailand’s casino venues.
It’ll inevitably lead to venues becoming tourist destinations rather than venues for Thai citizens.
The landmark shift in the bill comes off the back of a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Thai Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who took the surprising step to intervene and enquire about the bill being put forward in Thailand.
Shinawatra revealed that Jinping issued stark..
The Ministry of Finance in Rwanda has moved to significantly raise taxes on the country’s gambling sector.
Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa revealed during a press conference that GGR tax would be elevated from 13% to 40%.
Furthermore, adding the woes of regulated operators in the country, withholding tax on winnings will grow from 15% to 25%.
A statement from the country’s Minister of Finance and Economic planning said: “As we continue to build a robust economy and transform the livelihoods of all citizens, the reform of the gambling tax regime is a pivotal part of our medium-term strategy.
“These measures not only strengthen our resilience, but also promote self reliance, allowing us to meet our development goals effectively.
“In these challenging times, we recognise the importance of collaboration with our taxpayers. Our commitment to a prosperous future for all Rwandans remains steadfast, and we will work diligently to ensure that these reforms bene..