SBC News - Player Protection Hub

Play’n GO pushes for safer gambling by joining Canadian Gaming Association

CasinoBeatsJune 11, 20240240 views

Play’n GO is hoping to ensure player safety and uphold responsible gambling in Canada’s growing igaming market by joining the Canadian Gaming Association.

Extending its relationship with Canadian players having supplied its slot releases in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Play’n GO will join the over 70 CGA members to advocate for a ‘regulated, responsible, sustainable industry’.

Saam Hafezi, Head of Region, North America at Play’n GO, remarked: “Play’n GO has long advocated for a safe, regulated igaming industry, and we’re proud to join an official body like the CGA that shares those goals.

“We look forward to collaborating with fellow stakeholders within the Association to achieve a brighter, more sustainable future for us all, and we thank the CGA for accepting our membership application.”

Having been in business for more than two decades, the CGA represents both operators and suppliers across the Canadian igaming industry, with representatives from gaming, sports betti..

German regulator launches study into internet and TV gambling advertising

CasinoBeatsJune 11, 20240248 views

Germany’s Gambling Authority is hoping to evaluate the impact that gambling advertising on television and the internet has on problem gambling by launching a study into the issue.

Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, the nation’s gambling regulator, has launched the study to not only examine the effect of advertising and sponsorship, but also of ‘advertising reporting’ on all recipients, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups.

Titled ‘Gambling advertising on television and on the Internet in the tension between channelling and addiction prevention’, the study will look into individual advertising measures, including TV spots and social media advertising, as well as special advertising measures such as bonus offers and other player acquisition tools.

The project will carry out an impact evaluation of the advertising provisions of the GlüStV, Germany’s State Treaty on Gambling introduced in 2021, with the GGL expecting to find out which provisions are suitable or can be ..

Australia enforces credit card ban for online gambling

CasinoBeatsJune 11, 20240236 views

Australia has enforced an online gambling credit card ban, meaning that players can no longer use them as a payment method.

Late last year, legislation was passed by the Australian Parliament to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, bringing online gambling into line with land-based gambling by banning the use of credit cards.

Following a six-month transition period, the ban has now come into force. Any company that fails to comply with the regulation – ban on credit cards, credit-related products and digital currencies – may be subject to fines of up to A$234,750.

The new laws have also expanded the powers of the Australian Communications and Media Authority to ensure enforcement of the new and existing civil penalty provisions.

Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland, commented: “Australians should not be gambling with money they do not have. Last year, the Albanese Labor Government committed to banning credit cards for online wagering – and we’ve delivered.

“This ban build..

Romania prohibition of gambling in small towns requires constitutional order

SBC NewsJune 11, 20240233 views

Land-based gambling restrictions ordered by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu must be re-examined by the Constitutional Court of Romania to be applied as a federal law.

The judgment was announced by the Supreme Court of Cassation and Justice, tasked with evaluating new land-based gambling restrictions that will reform Romania’s Criminal Code.

To impose changes to Romania’s Criminal Code, the Supreme Court has ordered that a ‘constitutional review’ must be applied to the measure of the “prohibition of gambling localities in towns with less than 15,000 registered inhabitants.”

In April, PM Ciolacu authorised the executive order of the ‘Legea Păcănelelor‘ (The Pannel Law), approved by Parliament to impose the headline measure.

The law requires federal changes to Romania’s Criminal Code, making it a crime to operate slot-machine gaming devices without a municipal license, confirming a gambling venue is in a locality with over 15,000 inhabitants.

Penalties for violations range from three m..

Massachusetts regulator awards City of Springfield grant to study youth gambling harm

SBC AmericasJune 10, 20240218 views

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is making an investment to combat gambling-related harm among the youth in one of the state’s largest cities.

The MGC has voted to award the City of Springfield a $275,000 grant to study the impact of gambling on the youth. The investment, which builds on Springfield’s Gambling Addiction Research Initiative, will provide the MGC with insights to address problem gambling following the launch of retail and online wagering in Massachusetts last year.

“Understanding the gambling-related harms experienced by young people will have a direct impact on strategies developed to prevent and mitigate those harms in the future,” said interim MGC chair Jordan Maynard. “Working directly with engaged young people in Springfield will help researchers and the commission fully understand the impacts of gambling on this population and lead to additional programs designed to mitigate potential harms.”

The grants are being awarded through the Community Mitigation..

Revolutionising gaming: the simple science behind myStridePositivePlay

SBC NewsJune 10, 20240194 views

Dr. Mary E. Donohue, CEO of the Digital Wellness Center, emphasises the usefulness of microbreaks for bettors who might feel their gaming is getting out of control. It’s a big reason, she advises, for gaming companies to demonstrate greater commitment to integrating safer gambling practices.

Imagine being a freshman like Shawn, discovering an exciting new world on a sports betting platform. Initially, placing small bets on his favourite sports teams was fun, but as time went on, especially during the isolating months of Covid, Shawn’s casual betting turned into a frequent, stress-inducing habit. This story, similar to those of many young adults, was a focal point during our panel discussion on player safety at the recent SBC North American Summit.

Shawn, feeling overwhelmed, reached out to me in confidence, seeking advice on managing his increasing urge to gamble. Knowing the benefits of microbreaks, which had helped my brother Tim navigate similar challenges, I provided Shawn with c..

Michigan regulators put heads together on college sports integrity

SBC AmericasJune 10, 20240251 views

A variety of experts in gaming and regulation came together at a Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) panel this week to discuss the topical issue of integrity within college sports betting.

Experts from the likes of the NCAA, BetMGM, Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) and the FBI convened for the event at Cadillac Place in Detroit to talk about regulations and compliance measures related to the oversight of college sports and related wagering.

Michigan has nearly 100 colleges and universities with thousands of students competing in NCAA sports. The Wolverine State’s online gaming industry consists of 13 online sportsbooks.

Given that landscape and the potential for college sports and betting to interact at every turn, the MGCB wants to ensure integrity remains top of mind for all.

“The Michigan Gaming Control Board is dedicated to fostering a transparent and compliant gaming environment, particularly in the realm of college sports betting,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams sai..

EPIC to ensure William Hill SPFL deal creates “open culture” on gambling risks

SBC NewsJune 10, 20240207 views

Last Friday, William Hill was announced as the new title partner of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).

EPIC Global Solutions was also brought in on the five-year record-breaking deal to launch a programme in partnership with the league and bookmaker, to deliver courses on gambling harm to SPFL players, staff and fans.

The problem gambling consultancy’s Senior Director, John Millington, oversaw the company’s expansion in support to leading names in sport in recent years, now overseeing problem gambling awareness within Scotland.

He commented on EPIC’s new deal: “We’re proud that we’ve once again been seen as the perfect partner to raise awareness around problem gambling issues and we’re grateful to William Hill and the SPFL for bringing this opportunity together.

“We look forward to engaging with new audiences in Scotland from next season and helping to minimise the risks that gambling can pose in a high-risk sector like elite sport.”

EPIC Global Solutions draws on..

Two new defendants charged in Porter NBA gambling scheme

SBC AmericasJune 6, 20240225 views

Two co-conspirators have been named in a criminal complaint for their alleged participation in a gambling scheme that led to the lifetime banishment of former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter from the NBA.

The defendants, Timothy McCormack and Mahmud Mollah, allegedly co-conspired with Long Phi Pham to defraud sports betting operators by encouraging Porter to withdraw from certain NBA games due to his significant gambling debts. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the East District of New York, details the alleged scheme.

Porter allegedly attempted to clear debt

McCormack, Mollah, Pham and another unnamed defendant worked together to allegedly place wagers on the “under” player prop markets for Porter, who notified the group of his intentional to leave a Jan. 26 game against the Los Angeles Clippers early due to injury.

According to texts and wire transfer records, Porter was encouraged to clear his gambling debts by withdrawing from certain games early for the..

ANJ launches prevention campaign in prep for Euro 2024

SBC NewsJune 6, 20240240 views

The National Gaming Authority of France (ANJ) has reported that of over €4bn in online bets committed in 2023, football remains the sport with the highest number of bets in the country.

Meanwhile, Euro 2020 generated €700m in stakes (online and at points of sale), whereas the 2022 World Cup recorded €900m in stakes.

The authority stated: “Given the evolution of the sports betting market and the stakes recorded during the last competitions, a stake amount approaching €1bn could be reached. The course of the French team will nevertheless be decisive in the amount of stakes.”

A total 64% of sports bettors are between 18 and 34 years old, and there were more than 4 million active accounts in 2023 with an average annual stake of €1,982 per account.

Therefore, in its 2024/2026 strategic plan, the ANJ has set as a priority objective a drastic reduction in the share of excessive gamblers within three years.

Just before the Euros, the body is launching a prevention campaign, designed by ..