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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.
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2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award
AGS Wins 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award

AGS has announced that it has been named a 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award winner. Recognized for its commitment to fostering an exceptional, people-first culture, AGS ranked in the Top 28% of companies in the 500-999 employee category, placing the company in the Top 100 of companies in this size category across America.
The USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes organizations for their commitment to creating outstanding workplace environments that prioritize employee engagement and satisfaction. AGS’ strong performance in this year’s awards is based on authentic employee feedback gathered through a confidential survey conducted by a third-party, HR research and technology company.
“We’re really proud to be recognized as a Top Workplace. What makes this award so meaningful is that it comes from feedback directly from our employees across all of our U.S. offices. It shows the commitment, passion, energy and teamwork they bring every day. At AGS, we’re all about creating a culture where people can thrive, grow, and be themselves—and this award just proves that we’re doing something right. I couldn’t be prouder of the team we’ve built and the culture we’ve created together,” said David Lopez, CEO of AGS.
The 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award adds to AGS’ impressive list of accolades, including being recognized as a Top Workplace in 2024 for Oklahoma, Las Vegas, and Atlanta, as well as earning the prestigious Best and Brightest Companies to Work For 2024 award both nationally and in Atlanta.
AGS’ dedication to its people-first culture is reflected in its ongoing focus on employee engagement, professional development opportunities, competitive benefits, and work-life balance. These efforts have helped AGS create an environment where employees are motivated and empowered to perform at their best.
The post AGS Wins 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BCLC
BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign

BCLC’s new “What’s played here stays here” campaign is issuing an important reminder to British Columbians who choose to gamble – specifically that all net profit its operations generate stays in B.C. to help fund critical services like education, health care and community programs.
The campaign also reinforces that all other gambling websites operating in B.C. are illegal and take away funds from critical community programs and services.
“Across B.C. and Canada, we’ve seen incredible groundswell around the importance of buying and supporting local, and that’s no different for British Columbians who choose gambling for their entertainment. We want our B.C. players to know they can find a world-class gambling experience in their own backyard, whether it’s at one of our 33 casinos, 3,400 lottery retailers, or online at PlayNow.com, and that the proceeds from their play with BCLC make a positive impact at home in their community,” Pat Davis, President and CEO of BCLC, said.
Along with illegal online gambling websites, BCLC also competes with Washington State and Las Vegas casinos, all of which aggressively market to B.C. residents.
“BCLC continues to raise awareness that these gambling options do not support B.C.’s economy and take away funds from vital provincial and community-based programs and services. In a time when British Columbians are standing united, we want to reinforce that playing together with BCLC helps make B.C. even better,” Pat Davis added.
The post BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGS
AGS – Pioneering the future of omni-channel gaming

Zoe Ebling, VP of Interactive at AGS
In today’s rapidly evolving gaming landscape, the potential to deliver entertaining experiences across both digital and physical platforms has become a real advantage, especially in markets where land-based still reigns supreme. Suppliers that operate both in the land-based and online sphere, have a real competitive edge. This is something that AGS has recognised and therefore positioned itself at the forefront of omni-channel gaming. By combining the best of both worlds, innovative online offerings with the proven success of land-based gaming, AGS is setting new industry benchmarks that many competitors have yet to achieve.
Unique capability
Omni-channel gaming isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires a specialized approach that bridges the gap between online players and brick-and-mortar players in environments where both exist. AGS’s strategy is built on the understanding that while many suppliers excel in either digital or land-based sectors, very few can successfully merge the two.
Having a portfolio that spans both realms allows suppliers to blend time-tested content with innovative digital features, resulting in a richer, more dynamic experience that drives player loyalty and boosts in-game engagement.
Traditional gaming floors have long been a cornerstone of player engagement, and AGS has built on this foundation by adapting its best-selling titles for the digital space. This approach is working particularly well in North America, where players are often already familiar with the games offered on the casino floors, and appreciate a similar experience on their digital devices. But the portfolio is also performing well in mature European markets where video slots are more prominent, highlighting the appeal that the flair of Vegas has around the globe.
Merging innovation with expertise
At the heart of AGS’s omni-channel evolution is its forward-thinking interactive studio. Operating as a distinct entity while enjoying robust support from the broader AGS infrastructure, the interactive team embodies the agile startup mentality that fuels rapid innovation.
This dedicated division has been instrumental in orchestrating coordinated efforts between online and land-based teams to deliver integrated solutions. One such example is the first-of-its-kind simultaneous launch of its Rakin’ Bacon Odyssey® game at Caesars Atlantic City and Caesars Palace Online Casino in 2024. This pioneering move has been followed by additional omni-channel event opportunities with other operators, underscoring the appeal and strength of having games live in both verticals at the same time.
Through regular cross-departmental collaboration, the studio has now refined processes that allow for synchronised development timelines and optimised game placement strategies, ensuring that every launch not only meets but exceeds player expectations.
Shaping the future of gaming
The success of AGS’s omni-channel initiatives is more than just a series of isolated achievements, it signals a broader shift in the industry. As player preferences evolve and technology continues to advance, the integration of online and physical gaming experiences will become an increasingly important tool for operators and suppliers alike.
Despite hundreds of new online games being launched every week, many with innovative mechanics and features, there is still great value in the more traditional content offered on casino floors.
A large demographic of online players prefer this type of content, cementing the opportunities presented for land-based suppliers to venture into the digital realm, by bringing their proven classics to online casinos.
Although it still has its challenges, the expertise, time and resources invested into developing a game for cabinets indicates that the supplier really believes in the content and porting it online should be a natural part of that process.
For game developers operating in both the online and land-based spheres, the advantages are significant. This dual-market approach not only offers a competitive edge over online-only studios, but also ensures that titles originally popular in casinos continue to dominate the slot rankings for years to come.
The post AGS – Pioneering the future of omni-channel gaming appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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