Latest News
UK Gambling Firms Accused of Exaggerating Scale of Black Market Betting
UK Gambling firms have been accused of concocting a “dodgy dossier” to exaggerate the scale of black market betting, in an attempt to influence an upcoming government review expected to result in tougher regulation.
Gambling industry figures recently seized on a report claiming that 200,000 people in the UK spend £1.4bn on black market sites every year, warning that tougher regulation could drive more people into the arms of “unscrupulous” operators.
But in a letter to a cross-party group of MPs examining gambling-related harm, the Gambling Commission’s chief executive, Neil McArthur, delivered a withering assessment of the report.
The boss of the gambling regulator said the report, written by consultancy PwC, was “not consistent with the intelligence picture” and did not distinguish between real consumers using black market sites and bots or other automated systems.
He said the report should be treated cautiously, adding that it lacked any evidence to show an increase in illicit betting.
“We know that licensed operators and their trade bodies are concerned about the impact of the illegal market, but our own evidence suggests that the impact may be being exaggerated,” he said.
McArthur said black market concerns should be kept in proportion “despite … reports from consultants paid for by the industry, and should not distract from the need to continue to drive up standards and make gambling safer in the regulated market.”
Such direct criticism from the regulator will be a blow for the industry lobby group, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which has repeatedly referred to the report to back its arguments against stricter regulations.
The government is considering a range of measures that could involve limiting stakes on online virtual slot machines, or forcing web-based casinos to carry out thorough affordability checks if customers deposit a certain amount per month.
McArthur dismissed BGC’s suggestion that such measures could fuel a surge in black market operations.
“In any event, we are not convinced by the argument that suggests that raising standards in the licensed market will prompt consumers to gamble with illegal operators,” he said.
The Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who chairs the MPs’ group that receive the letter, said: “The online gambling industry talks up the threat of the black market in an attempt to resist regulation and protect its profits, but trying to hijack the debate by manufacturing dodgy dossiers of information to further their own ends is an incredibly transparent tactic and will not be any kind of excuse to hold down standards.”
The BGC and several of the UK’s major betting companies, which commissioned the report, refused a request to provide a copy.
But the Guardian has since obtained both a draft version, dated April 2019, and a final version, dated July 2019.
The two appear identical except that the final version removed a reference to the three firms that commissioned it, Ladbrokes owner GVC, William Hill and The Stars Group, which owned SkyBet and has since merged with Paddy Power owner Flutter.
Matt Zarb-Cousin, a former adviser to Jeremy Corbyn who runs the campaign group Clean Up Gambling, said: “The gambling industry has been quoting from this report as it attempts to drive a race to the bottom in regulation. Having finally seen the contents, it’s clear why it was reluctant to make this report available for public scrutiny.”
A BGC spokesperson said countries with tougher regulation than the UK had bigger black market problems.
“We have repeatedly called on the government to use the online harms bill to crack down on access to these sites, and we would support financial service providers being obliged to block black market transactions,” he said.
Latest News
Play’n GO Music launches Piggy Blitz Disco Gold Visualiser
Animated Music Video Released to Commemorate the launch of new slot title Piggy Blitz Disco Gold
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has launched its first official music video, the Piggy Blitz Disco Gold visualiser – bringing Mr. Piggy Blitz and his iconic disco vibes to life like never before.
This exclusive three-minute video drops in conjunction with the release of the highly anticipated 6×4 Piggy Blitz Disco Gold online slot, inviting fans and players to groove alongside Mr. Piggy Blitz himself as he lights up the dance floor.
The dynamic video showcases a mashup of the game’s upbeat soundtrack, featuring Mr. Piggy Blitz dancing in perfect sync with the music.
Packed with the neon-lit energy of the 80s and designed to captivate fans of both the game and retro music culture, the video serves as the ultimate soundtrack for Play’n GO’s latest release.
To watch the Piggy Blitz Disco Gold visualiser, go to playngo website
Piggy Blitz Disco Gold is an electrifying 6×4 online slot sequel, immersing players in a world of 80s disco fun. The game is filled with features like Cash Coins, Piggy Banks, and the Gold Piggy Feature, giving players endless opportunities to hit massive prizes, with potential wins up to x5,000 their stake.
Ebba Arnred, Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of Play’n GO, said:
“The Play’n GO Music team has worked tirelessly to create something truly special for our fans, capturing the excitement and energy of Piggy Blitz Disco Gold in a way that will resonate with both iGaming fans and music lovers.
“The Piggy Blitz IP’s legendary retro style has never looked better – and we can’t wait for everyone to hit play, get grooving, and experience the thrill of the disco dancefloor.”
Play’n GO Music showcases the Swedish gaming giants Play’n GO’s soundtracks of their industry-leading games and produce new music all under the imprint Play’n GO Music.
Find out more about Play’n GO Music and Play’n GO, visit playngo website
Latest News
GamCare highlights new ways for banks to proactively screen transactional data to detect harmful gambling
The gambling support charity GamCare is today highlighting ways that banks in the UK can protect their customers from experiencing harm from gambling, following a recent workshop it ran with experts from across the financial services sector.
GamCare’s Gambling Related Financial Harm project was established in 2019 and is a cross-sector initiative to share knowledge, develop resources, and enable firms to support customers who are affected by gambling harms.
In the workshop – which brought over 70 representatives from financial services, the debt advice sector and gambling support services – GamCare heard new ways in which some banks are beginning to take a more proactive role in protecting their customers.
During the session, participants heard from a speaker from Santander on how the bank was engaging with customers who were potentially at-risk, including better tools to review levels of gambling spend, more frequent push notifications about the support tools available, and signposting to support services after customers had spent large sums of money gambling in a 24-hour period.
Off the back of the session, the charity has recommended steps that banks can take to support those impacted by gambling.
These include analysing transactional data from customers to identify potential issues with gambling, such as high gambling spending compared to income, late night gambling transactions, or increased gambling activity around payday.
The charity is also calling on more banks to proactively refer customers at risk into third party expert gambling support, including services like the National Gambling Helpline, when transactional data indicates that the customer’s gambling may be becoming harmful and unaffordable.
Banks can also signpost to self-exclusion schemes like GAMSTOP and blocking software such as Gamban to offer customers extra protection, as well as their own support and tools, for example bank gambling blocks which most UK current account providers now offer.
Raminta Diliso, Financial Harm Manager at GamCare, said: “Last year, 72% of people who contacted the National Gambling Helpline disclosed financial difficulties. Banks are particularly well placed to detect harmful and unaffordable gambling through bank statements and transactional data, and provide more targeted support to their customers. We hope that more financial services firms will take a proactive approach and put the right steps in place to support customers who are experiencing financial difficulties related to gambling.”
Graeme Cunning, Vulnerable Customers Strategy Manager at Santander, said: “At Santander, we believe that the bank, although not responsible, does have a part to play in gambling harm prevention. We have built a suite of interventions, including letters and text messages, to provide timely signposting to support for customers at risk of financial detriment due to their gambling.”
To see the read the full report from this GamCare event, download ‘Transaction Monitoring for Harmful Gambling and Proactive Interventions’.
eSports
Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences Named Official Main Partner for World Esports Championship 2024
The International Esports Federation (IESF) is pleased to announce the Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences as the official main partner for the upcoming World Esports Championship 2024 in Riyadh, which begins on November 11.
This partnership unites Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences’ reputation with one of the most significant international Esports events, ensuring every participant has a world-class experience throughout their stay.
With over 480 athletes and teams from across the world, WEC24 will host competitors as honored guests of Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences, ensuring they have an exceptional environment to compete at their best and aim for the prestigious title of World Esports Champion.
“It’s exciting to work alongside a brand that deeply values our vision and understands the importance of a memorable experience for all of our athletes and participants. Together, we’re setting a new standard for Esports events and creating an unforgettable journey for everyone attending.” – said Ana Karakolevska, Chief Marketing Officer at IESF.
“At Hilton Riyadh Hotel and Residences, we are proud to be the main partner of the World Esports Championship 2024 in Riyadh. Our commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with this prestigious event, where we aim to provide every participant with a world-class experience that goes beyond expectations.
By partnering with the International Esports Federation, we are setting a new standard for Esports events, ensuring that WEC24 will be an unforgettable journey for all attendees. Join us as we elevate Esports and create moments that will be cherished for a lifetime.” – said Hans Schiller, General Manager at Hilton Riyadh Hotel and Residences.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to elevating Esports and enhancing each attendee’s experience. Both IESF and Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences share the goal of making WEC24 one of the best Esports events to date, with the highest standard of care and support for athletes and fans alike.
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