Latest News
How the UK Is Making Online Gambling Safer for Everyone
Online gambling has exploded in popularity in the United Kingdom in recent years, as more and more people saw the clear advantages of using a computer or smartphone to gamble instead of heading out to a casino or shop. As a result, the authorities have been introducing a raft of measures to keep people safe from gambling harms.Â
The UK is a leader in gambling â online and at physical locations â and the sector is worth around ÂŁ14.3 billion annually, according to the most recent figures from the gambling regulator, the UK Gambling Commission. This huge figure, compiled from October 2018 to September 2019, comprises gambling and betting at casinos and shops as well as bingo and local and national lotteries. The online gambling sector makes up ÂŁ3.2 billion of the sum, an almost 4% rise on the same period a year earlier.Â
That’s because lots of people have discovered the best live casinos on the internet where they can bet and play their favourite games. They can do so via desktop, laptop, tablet and, increasingly, smartphones, as a growing number of casino operators have developed and launched sophisticated sites that function on the range of popular devices in use today. Many sites even have live-dealer features that give players a real casino feel.Â
Clamping down and Cleaning up
The Gambling Commission, a government body established in 2007 that has wide-ranging powers, has been introducing rules in the last two years that have seen rogue casino operators either shut down or issued with hefty fines. It wants a fairer playing field for those who use online casinos; to keep young people away from them and to ensure that those who have a problem with gambling are not permitted to use them.Â
Earlier this year, for instance, the commission handed out a record ÂŁ11.6m penalty to global online gambling giant Betway over failures to verify the origin of its customers’ money when one customer bet over ÂŁ8 million with the firm’s brands and lost at least half of it. In another case that caused trouble for Betway, a customer lost ÂŁ187,000 and the firm had hardly any interaction with them. In the last year, the commission has dished out over ÂŁ19 million in fines to British online gambling operators that failed to comply with its rules.Â
The commission has also banned the use of credit cards for online gambling, arguing that people should not be placing bets with money they do not have. The ban, which came into effect in April, prevents the estimated 800,000 people in the UK who had been using credit cards to gamble from doing so. âCredit card gambling can lead to significant financial harm. The ban that we have announced today should minimise the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have,” commission chief Neil McArthur said in announcing the prohibition earlier this year. Â
Other Measures to Make Online Gambling Better
Along with fines and bans, the gambling commission has also brought in measures relating to how online gambling operators advertise their products â particularly so that ads shouldn’t be misleading or appeal in any way to children. Online casinos are also required to have stringent age-verification procedures so that youths cannot set up accounts and start gambling.Â
Additionally, online casinos must act fairly in how they handle their customersâ cash. They can’t hold onto cash or be slow paying out winnings, for instance. Instead, money must be handed over promptly. It’s all part of making the online gambling experience safe and enjoyable for all and keeping those who shouldn’t be gambling away from sites.
In the years to come, itâs surely a safe bet online gambling in the UK will be bigger and better than ever.
Latest News
ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona
The news that Januaryâs ICE Barcelona will include a major new feature dedicated to global gamingâs most influential trade associations has been welcomed by organisations in Europe and abroad.
Making full use of the additional space at the Gran Via Fira de Barcelona, the first ICE Association Assembly has been created to enable trade bodies to promote their values and create new opportunities for the gaming community across every sector and geography, including both the Brussels-based European Casino Association (ECA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), the global trade association for gaming equipment suppliers with its primary headquarters in Las Vegas.
Erwin Van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA confirmed: âOur members are already planning their week in Barcelona and they will be at this historic edition of ICE in great numbers. ICE is a pivotal event for the global gaming community and having a show floor feature which will enable us to engage directly with all sectors is a unique opportunity.
“Traditionally, our association’s involvement at ICE and its Conference program has primarily centred around networking and product development orientationâconnecting with our members, regulators, suppliers, and fellow trade bodies. However, ICE 2025 marks a significant milestone. For the first time, the ECA will have the chance to fully interface with the global industry supply chain in its entirety. We are looking forward to this unique opportunity to articulate our vision for the future to a diverse and comprehensive audience, where innovation, responsibility and significant partnerships for guest and customer centricity will have centre stage.”
Daron Dorsey, CEO of AGEM added: âWe represent the interests of our gaming suppliers whose well-known brands are global in reach, so to be given the opportunity to explain our agenda and engage with what is a truly international audience of association colleagues on the ICE show floor is invaluable.â
Januaryâs editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will occupy 120,000sqm of space compared to the 100,00sqm at ICE 2024. In a major endorsement of the opportunities offered by the relocation to Barcelona 72% of the 25 biggest exhibitors will have an increased stand presence at ICE 2025.
Industry Awards
Blask Wins Prestigious “Startup of the Year” at 2024 Starlet Awards
Blask, the pioneering AI-powered analytics ecosystem for iGaming, has been named “Startup of the Year” at the prestigious 2024 Starlet Awards. The company earned this recognition for developing a groundbreaking market intelligence platform that has redefined how gaming operators leverage data and market insights.
Award Recognition
The award confirms Blask’s revolutionary approach to market analytics and its significant impact on how iGaming companies access and utilise market intelligence. Powered by AI models including Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing, Blask analyses billions of data points across 2000+ active brands to provide unprecedented market insights.
The Starlet Awards recognition follows Blask’s recent SiGMA Asia Startup Pitch 2024 Award victory. “Winning these awards affirms our belief that innovation and bold ideas can reshape the iGaming landscape. The recognition underscores the impact of our cutting-edge AI technology and our relentless pursuit to transform data into actionable insights”, reflects Max Tesla, CEO and Co-founder of Blask
Blask provides operators with a strategic edge across multiple critical areas. Its real-time market analysis capabilities deliver instant access to crucial market metrics, while the high-granularity data available at one-hour intervals enables swift, informed decision-making. The sophisticated AI modelling system estimates GGR and FTD by analysing a comprehensive range of inputs, including historical data, third-party OSINT data, market performance, competitor metrics, historical brand performance, market reports, and public company disclosures.
Beyond analytics, Blask offers robust brand monitoring and competitor analysis tools, alongside strategic and tactical planning capabilities particularly valuable for market entry decisions and maximising performance during major events. The recently introduced customer profile feature harnesses AI to generate detailed, country-specific user profiles, adding another layer of strategic insight for operators.
Latest News
CONCEPT: VERSATILITY AND EFFICIENCY IN SPACES
The CONCEPT cabinet line has been designed to maximize space in casinos, adapting to any configuration. Its efficient design allows for different bank arrangements, making the most of the available area. This gives operators greater flexibility in organizing their gaming floor.
Additionally, the integrated LED strips in CONCEPT eliminate the need for extra signs or wedges, creating a sleek and attractive visual at all times.
-
Asia6 days ago
NODWIN Gaming partners with Japanese gaming company KONAMI for âeFootball Diwali Showdownâ
-
Australia6 days ago
Australiaâs BetStop Receives International Regulatory Award
-
Industry News7 days ago
Brazilian Ministry of Finance and IBIA sign sports betting integrity agreement
-
Latest News6 days ago
BETBY WELCOMES MAGNUS CARLSEN AS GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
KSA Imposes a Fine of âŹ675,000 on NetX Betting Limited
-
Asia5 days ago
Revenant Esports and Team XSpark Join Forces to Form Revenant XSpark, ScoutOP Revealed as Brand Ambassador
-
Central Europe6 days ago
NOVOMATIC builds the Groupâs largest photovoltaic system in Lower Austria
-
Latest News6 days ago
Videoslots Launches DBET in Sweden with International Tipset Pools