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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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HIPTHER, the leading media and events hub connecting Gaming and Technology sectors across Europe and beyond, is thrilled to officially announce that Daniela Zelená has joined the team as Marketing & Community Engagement Coordinator.
Daniela, who most recently served as Event Marketing Manager at Endorphina, brings with her a wealth of industry experience, creativity, and a deep understanding of community-driven engagement. Her passion for authentic connection and audience-first thinking perfectly aligns with HIPTHER’s mission to elevate both digital and in-person experiences across its events, media, and community initiatives.
Daniela officially joined the HIPTHER team one month ago and has already become an integral part of our fast-moving ecosystem. From leading communications across key channels to launching new community formats and audience engagement strategies, she is helping shape the next phase of HIPTHER’s expansion.
Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, commented: ”Daniela’s experience, energy, and approach to marketing and community-building is exactly what HIPTHER needs as we grow. We’re building something unique here, and we are excited to have her on this journey with us.”
With Daniela’s expertise and vision, HIPTHER is further strengthening its commitment to creative content, meaningful industry dialogue, and a vibrant community that goes beyond events.
Join us in welcoming Daniela to team #hipthers, and stay tuned as we continue to roll out new initiatives designed to connect and inspire the Gaming & TECH community in bold new ways.
About HIPTHER
HIPTHER is the leading conference organizer and media agency for Gaming and Technology industries across Europe and the Americas. Through its events, digital media platforms, and original content, HIPTHER connects innovators, operators, and thought leaders across Gaming, eSports, Fintech, Blockchain, AI, and more.
For more information, visit www.hipther.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
The post HIPTHER Welcomes Daniela Zelená as New Marketing & Community Engagement Coordinator appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
BETBY
BETBY ACHIEVES GLI CERTIFICATION FOR PERU, EXPANDING ITS FOOTPRINT IN LATIN AMERICA’S REGULATED MARKETS
BETBY, a top-tier sports betting supplier, has received certification from Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) to provide its sportsbook solution in Peru’s regulated market. This certification marks another significant milestone in BETBY’s continued expansion across Latin America.
With the Peruvian government formalizing its regulated sports betting framework, GLI certification has emerged as a crucial requirement for providers aiming to serve licensed operators in the country. BETBY is now authorized to deliver its innovative and tailored sportsbook solutions in Peru’s rapidly expanding regulated betting market.
GLI’s certification, recognized as a benchmark for excellence, validates BETBY’s ability to meet Peru’s strict technical requirements, including those related to sportsbook functionality, information security management systems, and information security standards. Peru’s regulatory framework is primarily based on GLI-33 certification, which BETBY successfully achieved in early 2025. As a result, the company was well-positioned to swiftly meet the country’s compliance standards.
“Peru represents a key step in our broader Latin American growth strategy, as the region continues to adopt clearer regulatory frameworks for online sports betting,” said Ilze Ramolina, Head of Legal & Compliance at BETBY. “Securing GLI certification for this market, which has a growing digital infrastructure and tech-savvy audience, allows us to support licensed operators in launching compliant and competitive offerings from day one. This is yet another step forward in our mission to deliver tailored, localized solutions that meet both local requirements and regional expectations across the region.”
This achievement follows BETBY’s previous certification for the Brazilian market, solidifying its presence in two of Latin America’s most promising jurisdictions. The supplier’s flexible and highly localised sportsbook platform, combined with its commitment to compliance, positions it as a trusted partner for operators looking to thrive in newly regulated environments.
By entering the Peruvian market, BETBY continues to demonstrate its strategic focus on Latin America, providing hyper-localized, engaging, and secure sports betting experiences for both operators and players.
To find out more about BETBY, visit: https://betby.com/
The post BETBY ACHIEVES GLI CERTIFICATION FOR PERU, EXPANDING ITS FOOTPRINT IN LATIN AMERICA’S REGULATED MARKETS appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Southampton Football Club is pleased to announce that Midnite, the fast-growing UK sports betting and online casino operator, will become the club’s official training kit partner for the 2025/26 season.
The partnership will see Southampton FC become the first football club to partner with Midnite as part of their rapid brand growth.
The deal continues Midnite’s momentum of high-profile marketing activities, including sponsorship of the 2025 World Snooker Championship and 5’s coverage of the FIFA World Club Cup.
Founded in 2018 by Nick Wright and Daniel Qu, Midnite has been hailed as a new disruptor to the betting industry, challenging the status-quo of the UK’s online gambling market by delivering the best value for customers.
The Midnite branding will sit across training kits for both the Men’s and Women’s First Teams. Its logo will also feature on the back of the Men’s First Team shirt and shorts. Midnite’s branding will also appear around St Mary’s Stadium, including in the dugouts.
Connecting Saints fans like never before
The partnership will see Midnite and Southampton collaborate throughout the season to connect Saints supporters to their club like never before. A host of supporter and community activities will be launched to engage and involve the fanbase in the build-up to the season and throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Southampton and Midnite will also collaborate to support Saints Foundation during the course of the season to support its fundraising ambitions and experiences for participants. Saints Foundation is the club’s charity, which works to provide life-changing opportunities to help people and communities in the city thrive.
Greg Baker, Chief Revenue Officer for Southampton Football Club, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our latest club partner. Midnite is disrupting its sector and developing a dynamic challenger brand.
“As a club we pride ourselves on our ability to challenge the status quo and we see a clear alignment with Midnite’s innovative approach. We look forward to working with them throughout the 2025/26 season.”
Midnite Vice President of Growth Jonathan Shaw said: “We’re excited to partner with Southampton for our first-ever football club sponsorship. At Midnite, our mission is to bring our players closer to the games they love, and this high-profile partnership marks the latest step in our brand awareness journey as we continue to grow, with plenty more to come.
“As a fully licensed UK operator, we’re committed to ensuring our players enjoy a safe, responsible, and entertaining experience. We can’t wait to engage with Southampton fans and contribute to what promises to be an exciting and successful season ahead.”
The post Southampton Football Club welcomes Midnite as its newest partner appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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