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GamCare Provides Report on its Services During Lockdown
Responsible gambling charity GamCare has provided a report on its services during lockdown. The report also highlights how COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people experiencing gambling harms.
The National Gambling Helpline During Lockdown report shows that despite lockdown exacerbating existing anxieties surrounding finances and isolation amongst gamblers, their ability to seek help was limited as they struggled for privacy.
Privacy concerns also drove a switch to more live chats than phone calls, as this channel can offer more discretion if families or housemates are in close proximity – many people contacting the Helpline have not yet spoken to their loved ones about what they are going through and want to know how to broach the subject.
Engagement with online group chatrooms increased. Anxieties about COVID were key themes of online conversations, alongside gambling-related issues. Staff on the Helpline flagged increased concern around domestic abuse being experienced by callers.
At the start of lockdown, there was a significant minority of calls asking for self-exclusion via GAMSTOP– highlighting that callers were seeking to gamble again despite previously removing the temptation. This trend has since abated. The report also mentions that, although existing engagement with GamCare treatment services remained high, the number of people beginning treatment during this period was lower than the previous year.
Research from the Gambling Commission, published alongside the report, shows the although overall gambling participation has dropped nationally, 18-34-year-olds and the most “engaged gamblers” have both reported increased time or money spent on gambling, plus using online gambling products they had not tried before.
Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive of GamCare, says:
“There is no doubt that the pandemic has impacted people’s help seeking, particularly in the initial phase of the pandemic when our daily lives were immeasurably changed. Our service users are speaking to us about increasing anxiety, isolation and money worries.
As we now look at further lockdowns across various areas, we need to be aware of the impact and risks for gamblers experiencing harm. We need to be more vocal about encouraging people to seek help despite the external pressures, and to remind people that we’re here to help as we did in the summer with our #ReadyToTalk campaign.
There is no doubt that gamblers and their loved ones will continue to need support, perhaps increasingly so. GamCare is doing all it can to be flexible and tailor its services to meet those complex and changing needs during the pandemic and beyond. From the very first contact you have with us, we can make a difference – if you’re worried about your gambling or anyone else’s, talk to us now.”
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Following the successful prosecution of the Peninsula Club in Dromana, Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) CEO Annette Kimmitt AM reiterated the regulator would continue to crack down on venues that allow children to enter poker machine areas.
The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria fined Victorian Amateur Turf Club, the venue owner, $7000 for 2 breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (Vic) and ordered it to pay VGCCC costs of $3500. No conviction was recorded.
Ms Kimmitt said: “This is a warning to every venue. The onus is on you to ensure that children cannot and do not enter the gambling area or participate in any gambling activity, even if they’re with an adult.
“Equally, staff must be adequately trained and present in the gambling area to supervise while machines are in use.
“Research tells us that people who begin gambling at a young age are at greater risk of developing gambling problems as an adult.
“The rules exist to protect children from exposure to, and harm from, gambling.”
On 10 June 2023, a child entered the gambling area of the Peninsula Club twice and was able to use the poker machines on both occasions. During the second visit to the area, while with adults, the child used a poker machine for about 5 minutes, until staff intervened.
Magistrate Ayres considered the venue’s self-reporting, its lack of prior convictions, early plea and remediations implemented to reduce the chance of future offending.
The post VGCCC Continues Crackdown on Underage Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AskGamblers hits a new milestone by surpassing 700,000 registered members on the website. Since 2006, AskGamblers provides accurate and reliable information on online casinos, sportsbooks, bonuses and more, with the motto Get the Truth. Then Play.
The website has grown, but not only in numbers. In 2024, AskGamblers introduced a comprehensive sports betting section where users can access sportsbook reviews, live scores, odds calculators and find exclusive deals.
Additionally, AskGamblers hosts the annual AskGamblers Awards, a prestigious event where players can nominate and vote for their favourites in four categories: Best Casino, Best New Casino, Best New Slot and Best Sportsbook, but six additional industry awards are handed out during the gala ceremony.
Dijana Radunović, General Manager at AskGamblers, said: “Reaching the milestone of 700,000 registered players is remarkable. It’s great to see new players coming in daily, but the fact that they remain active is what’s truly special!”
The post AskGamblers Surpasses 700,000 Registered Members appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Formula 1 have announced that ALT Sports Data has joined the sport as Official Betting Data Supplier to drive engagement and growth in the Formula 1 betting ecosystem.
The partnership will see the San Diego-based company – a leader in trading and consumer data for action and emerging sports – drive responsible and regulated sports betting on F1.
ALT Sports Data will develop betting-focused real-time predictive analytics for Formula 1, as well as proprietary data and priced odds solutions for the wagering industry, enabling fans to bet on new and exciting markets knowing that the data that sits behind the betting system is accurate, consistent and ratified.
This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Formula 1 betting, expanding market opportunities and offering fans new ways to interact with the sport’s high-speed action.
Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer at Formula 1, said: “Sports betting is an increasingly important part of the global fan experience, and Formula 1 is committed to delivering new and entertaining ways for our audiences to engage with the sport.
“We are delighted to partner with ALT Sports Data, whose expertise in bespoke sports betting markets and analytics makes them the perfect partner to help us drive forward in this exciting new chapter.”
Todd Ballard, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of ALT Sports Data, added: “Formula 1 is one of the biggest and most prestigious global sports brands, captivating a large and passionate fanbase of 750 million people worldwide.
“It has an unmatched combination of speed, strategy, and innovation, so we are thrilled to reimagine the sports betting experience for both Formula 1 fans and sports bettors alike by leveraging our industry-leading capabilities in pricing, live markets, and micro-market solutions. Our goal is to create deeper engagement, enhance the live race experience, and drive meaningful connections between Formula 1 and its dedicated global audience.”
The post Formula 1 Appoints ALT Sports Data as Official Betting Data Supplier appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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