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BGC: Banning Free Bets Risks Pushing Almost a Third of Punters to the Black Market While Sucking Millions Out of Horse Racing

Published

3 years ago

July 1, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

A ban on promotions including so-called “free bets” would push almost a third of punters to the black market while sucking millions out of horse racing, new data released shows.

Anti-gambling campaigners have demanded the Government introduce a complete ban of punter promotions in its upcoming reforms of the Gambling Act – despite a staggering 69% of customers saying they should be allowed.

New research conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Betting and Gaming Council found as well as 69% of punters saying free bets should be allowed, 63% said they found promotions a valuable part of their hobby.

Worryingly almost one in three punters (28%) said they would consider black market betting if ministers ignored their popularity and forced through a draconian ban.

As well as driving punters away from the regulated industry, analysis conducted by the BGC found the move would hit the horse racing Levy for approximately £5m a year, in a double blow on the industry.

Punters must request promotional offers when opening an account with a regulated betting and gaming operator in the UK and can stop receiving them at any point they choose.

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “Promotions and offers are part of the customer experience for any vibrant industry, including our intensely competitive sector, which supports 119,000 jobs and brings in £4.4bn in taxes to the Treasury.

“Blanket bans on offers would be anti-punter and would severely degrade that customer experience, punishing the overwhelming majority of punters who bet safely. Problem gambling is 0.2 per cent. Imagine the outcry if supermarkets were forced to ban offers and promotions for beer and wine? We see no difference to our industry.

“A draconian ban would damage a sector which tens of thousands rely on for their livelihoods, by turning punters away from the regulated industry into the arms of unsafe, unregulated black market gambling, where the numbers using such sites has doubled in recent years and the amount bet is in the billions. These sites have none of the safer gambling tools the regulated industry employ.

“A move like this would also hit the horse racing levy for £5m, but the loss of punters to the unregulated black market would undoubtedly also hit other regulated funding for racing such as media rights and sponsorship.

“We support the Government’s ‘evidence-led’ approach to gambling reform, which is why any changes should be carefully targeted to protect vulnerable players and those at risk, not the vast majority who bet safely. Ministers should shouldn’t be sticking their nose into how people choose to spend their own money, and the last thing they should be doing at this time is damaging business and sport.”

Black Market gambling has more than doubled in just two years, from 220,000 users to 460,000 and the amount staked there is now in the billions of pounds.

Banning free bets is the latest proposal suggested by the anti-gambling lobby that could hit horse racing revenues after blanket affordability checks.

These means tests, which would compel punters to produce personal financial records like bank statements before they are allowed to bet as little as £100 a month, could suck up to £100m a year out of horse racing, according to industry experts.

In total, the regulated betting and gaming industry contributes around £350m annually to horse racing in the UK through the levy, media rights and sponsorship. This funding was vital during the pandemic. But there are growing concerns new measures being considered by the Government could jeopardise this vital funding.

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Gaming in Germany Conference confirms new speakers, breakout program

Published

12 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Gaming in Germany Conference, which will take place November 11 in Berlin, has added several new speakers to its already impressive agenda.

Sebastian Buchholz, Head of Licensing and Market Supervision, Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), will deliver the event’s keynote address.

The operator’s perspective will be well represented at this year’s Gaming in Germany Conference, with Christian Heins, Director iGaming Tipico; Alex Green, Vice President – Games, ZEAL Network; and Ewout Keuleers, former General Counsel, Kindred Group all confirmed to make an appearance at our event.

Naturally, attendees will also hear from both German and European trade associations, with Dr. Dirk Quermann, President, Deutscher Online Casinoverband (DOCV); Mathias Dahms, President, Deutscher Sportwettenverband (DSWV); and Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) contributing.

Willem van Oort, founder of Gaming in Germany commented: “I am extremely pleased with this year’s speaker lineup. I think it speaks of the relevance of our event, and especially the key topics that we are highlighting this year: the threat of the black market and the evaluation of the 2021 State Gambling Treaty. I see that licensed operators are highly committed to making the German iGaming market more sustainable and competitive and I am very happy that we are trusted to play a role in promoting fruitful discussion and debate on these topics.”

“As the event takes place while the evaluation of the 2021 State Gambling Treaty is ongoing, this is certainly the time to be part of the conversation,” van Oort added.

Breakout program and networking opportunities

In addition to its main program, the Gaming in Germany Conference will also feature several highly practical breakout sessions on data compliance, game certification, RG, live casino, eSports, and much more.

The full agenda, including breakout program, is available here.

In addition to a loaded program, the Gaming in Germany Conference also offers plenty of networking opportunities during pre-conference dinner, coffee breaks, lunch, and concluding networking drinks.

Practical information

The 2025 Gaming in Germany Conference takes place Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the DoubleTree Hilton Ku’damm in Berlin – just 100 meters from the magnificent Kurfürstendamm.

The post Gaming in Germany Conference confirms new speakers, breakout program appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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PAGCOR LAUNCHES DIGITAL SPACE FOR GAD

Published

13 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: < 1 minute

PAGCOR proudly launched today its Gender and Development (GAD) Digital Corner dedicated to promoting gender equality, empowerment, inclusivity, and diversity within the organization and beyond.

The digital space features comprehensive GAD-related contents including the latest news and announcements, significant laws and issuances, projects and activities, and other beneficial resources.

The PAGCOR Digital Corner will be displayed as wallpaper on all office desktops with the new GAD logo and a QR code directing to the GAD Digital Corner website from October 16 to November 16, 2025.

This initiative highlights PAGCOR’s continuing support to gender equality and inclusivity in the workplace, in relation to Republic Act No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women.

The post PAGCOR LAUNCHES DIGITAL SPACE FOR GAD appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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GMONITOR PUBLISHES THE ONLINE GAMING REPORT IN SPAIN – Q2 2025

Published

13 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

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Gmonitor.ai presents its new Online Gaming Market Report: Spain Q2 2025, which provides an in-depth analysis of the DGOJ data on the regulated market between April and June of this year.

The report places Spanish online gaming in a stage of consolidation: year-on-year growth of 18.6% (€410.3 million in GGR) confirms the strength of the sector, but also the transition towards a more mature market, a trend driven by technology, regulation and operator loyalty. The two leading verticals, online casinos and sports betting, account for more than 94% of revenue, with €216.4 million and €171.4 million respectively.

In addition to financial analysis, the study delves into player behaviour patterns, highlighting a 23.7% increase in deposits and a 28.9% increase in withdrawals, reflecting greater liquidity and spending per active user. However, the number of new accounts registered fell by 11.6% compared to the previous quarter, a sign that the market is beginning to mature and focus more on retention than acquisition.

“The Spanish market has entered a phase where data, regulation and player loyalty define profitability. Gmonitor converts this information into a competitive advantage and lower costs for all players in the sector”, highlights the Gmonitor team.

The document devotes specific sections to casinos, betting, poker and bingo, as well as the regulatory environment and medium- and long-term strategic prospects. The report is available for download and can be complemented with a personalised demonstration of the platform, where users can explore how they can generate their own reports and access more granular information tailored to each user and organisation.

The post GMONITOR PUBLISHES THE ONLINE GAMING REPORT IN SPAIN – Q2 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.