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Casino Guru’s complaint data reveals scope of UK players gambling at unlicensed websites
The Gambling Commission’s recent calls for evidence and views from the industry and the public regarding upcoming changes to Great Britain’s gambling regulation has seen a number of professionals emphasize the potential rise of black-market gambling as a consequence of tightening regulations.
These claims have been largely backed up by a PwC report, which estimates the number of UK online gamblers using unlicensed operators to have more than doubled from 2018 to 2020, from c.210,000 to c.460,000 gamblers.
Later on, UK gambling firms have been accused of exaggerating the scale of black-market gambling in an attempt to influence the GC’s decision to introduce tougher regulations. The GC’s chief executive Neil McArthur commented that the report delivered by PwC is not consistent with their intelligence picture and lacked any evidence to show an increase in illicit betting. He added that GC’s own evidence suggests that the impact may be being exaggerated.
Simon Vincze, Casino Guru’s Responsible Gambling Projects Manager, has been keeping up with the heated discussion taking place in British media and looked into their data on player complaints to get an idea about the scope of the issue: “I understand the need for regulation in the gambling market and its usefulness in keeping children and vulnerable players safe. It’s something I deeply believe in and work towards in my position as well. However, it didn’t seem right to me to just disregard the negative effects of tightening regulations altogether.”
Casino Guru operates a casino dispute mediation service, in which players can complain about any online casino if they feel to have been mistreated, regardless of its license, and get assisted for free. After looking into their data, Simon discovered 666 complaints submitted by players from the UK, of which 145 is about casinos with a license from GC and 521 is about casinos without it. This means that 78% of all complaints submitted by UK players have been about operators without a GC license.
“Of course, this doesn’t mean that 78% of UK players gamble at foreign websites. Because of the generally lower quality of service and reputation of these operators, it can be expected that these players will run into issues more often, resulting in a higher proportion of players submitting public complaints. However, it is also a clear sign that there are UK players gambling at casinos without a GC license, and that there is quite a lot of them,” Simon commented on this data.
He also compared the British situation to what has happened in Sweden: “When gambling regulations get more restrictive, an increased proportion of players usually start looking for unlicensed operators to avoid those regulations. Sweden is a great example of this, where 40% of casino players and 34% of sports betters gamble on unlicensed websites or would consider doing so in future, according to a study published back in April 2020. Taking a look at Google search data, there has been a major increase in Swedish players actively looking for unlicensed casinos since introducing the country’s gambling regulations with a strong focus on player safety.”
“With tighter regulations being introduced in Great Britain, the GC should be aware of the possibility of an increasing number of British punters actively looking for unlicensed sites in attempts to avoid the strict regulations. These players then gamble on foreign websites without the strict limits present at UK-licensed ones, ending up more susceptible to problematic gambling habits as a result of lower responsible gambling standards of some foreign operators, on top of other negative qualities that can be present at these websites.”
Data from the PwC report suggests that 4,5% of UK players gamble at foreign websites, while 78% of all complaints submitted to Casino Guru by UK players are related to these foreign websites.
Simon commented: “Combining this data would suggest that 4,5% of players are responsible for 78% of all casino complaints, which would signify a huge imbalance. Of course, the numbers are based on different data and there may be other factors in play, but I think that the imbalance is there, and has to do with the fact that players gambling on foreign websites simply run into issues more often. These can range from unclear bonus terms and bad implementation of responsible gambling features all the way to unscrupulous casinos outright scamming players.”
“If an increasing number of players leave the regulated market and go for foreign alternatives, they may be subject to a higher risk of developing problem gambling and losing money to foreign websites, some of which can have unscrupulous tendencies. This seems like a good enough reason to seriously consider the risk of rising use of black-market gambling websites by UK players,” he added.
While the GC is examining evidence presented by stakeholders and working towards updated gambling regulation, it remains to be seen how the situation ends up being handled and what new rules get implemented. Only time will tell whether tighter regulation really does increase the use of black-market sites or not, and whether the benefits will outweigh possible drawbacks.
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THE MONEYMAKER TOUR RETURNS TO HARD ROCK CINCINNATI WITH MORE THAN $1 MILLION UP FOR GRABS
Following a hugely successful first event in Cincinnati, Ohio in September 2023, the Moneymaker Tour is returning to the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati on September 17 – 30, 2024 with a packed schedule that will guarantee more than $1 million across 15 trophy events.
In September 2023’s inaugural stop at Hard Rock Cincinnati, the $1,500 Main Event was contested by 788 players and won by Joseph Bakun for $208,034. He was joined at the final table by Chris Moneymaker himself and WSOP Champion Joseph McKeehen and as well as the top cash prize, he also took home a crystal Moneymaker Tour trophy and a guitar trophy.
The Moneymaker Tour was created in 2023 by 2003 WSOP Champion and ACR Team Pro, Chris Moneymaker and Moneymaker Tour Executive Manager, Tony Burns. The Tour was conceived as a way for Moneymaker to give poker players opportunities to have their own ordinary to extraordinary moments as he did.
Despite its relative newcomer status, the Moneymaker Tour has made a name for itself, recently being voted the third most popular live poker tournament series behind only the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour, in a State of Poker survey. Since its inception, there have been eight events throughout Florida, Cincinnati and Houston.
The Tour has also recently announced new venues including a first visit to the birthplace of the Moneymaker boom with an event in Las Vegas from June 28 – July 6 at MGM Grand and its first international Main Event at Casino Aruba in October.
“Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati will team up with the Moneymaker Tour for a return in 2024” said Christopher Herbert, Hard Rock Cincinnati Manger of Poker & Sportsbook. “Hard Rock Cincinnati is grateful to be a part of the fastest growing poker tour in 2023. Chris Moneymaker, Tony Burns and their staff delivered an incredible experience for our guests during the 2023 Moneymaker Tour stop. There’s no better place to be in September 2024 than Cincinnati Ohio!”
“After an amazing series last September, we are excited to return to Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati”, said Tony Burns, Executive Manager of the Moneymaker Tour. “Continuing to partner with one of the most recognisable brands in the world amplifies our reach, resonates with our audience, and rocks our business to a whole other level.”
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
ELA Games is thrilled to announce the release of its latest slot machine game, Big Wave Delight. This new game features an advanced design, original mechanics, and a unique “Bonus Purchase” feature, setting a new standard in the gaming industry. Players can also hit the waves with Free Spins, scoring 10 thrilling spins with random multipliers (up to 10x) on each whirl. With up to 3 Wild Surfboards on every spin, players can expect epic wins!
Habanero, invites players for an icy adventure in its new title Arctic Hunt, offering expanding wilds with multipliers of up to 50x. Set against a snowy forest, this 5×3 game hosts a variety of wildlife such as fish, rabbits, deer and beavers as its symbols. Arctic foxes can also appear as wilds and substitute other icons to help form wins. Regular symbols can land with crystal gems attached which are accumulated in a counter at the top of the board.
Yggdrasil has released Boomerang Games’ (under license to ReelPlay) newest game Goblin’s Bargain MultiMax™, a vault packed with features ready to tempt those looking for the biggest of wins. The glittering gold belonging to the nefarious mythical creatures is under lock and key unless players can make the most of MultiMax. The popular Game Engagement Mechanic (GEM) sees a multiplier build up on each reel which can be multiplied together, leading to exponentially large wins.
R. Franco Digital is inviting players to double their winnings in its latest mythical-themed release, Game of Chronos Unicorn. Immersing players in a fantasy universe, a 5×3 grid is filled with a host of mythical symbols which create matching combinations across the slot’s 40 paylines. Helping to form wins are Witch wilds, which substitute other symbols on the board, while three or more unicorn Scatters pay out an instant reward.
Play’n GO pits Woodrow and Jačova against one another in a race against bolts in Spark of Genius. In this dynamic 6×6 grid slot, players are transported to the dawn of the 20th century, where the clash between industry pioneers Maynard Woodrow and Tess Jačova ignites. Players will harness the power of Resonant Energy and Manifest Energy as these characters vie for dominance over the grid.
Spinomenal has unveiled its hotly anticipated game, Quest to the Underworld. This game is part of the popular Spinomenal Adventure series. Quest to the Underworld lures players in with its macabre setting that’s underscored with a chilling soundtrack. Medium symbols are made up of a vial, crossbow, goblet, and scroll. Two Wild symbols, a glamorous lady and black gear, will substitute for any symbol except the Free Spins and Bonus symbols, hitting five Wild symbols on a winning line gives players a x1000 multiplier.
Yggdrasil and YGG Masters partner Bang Bang Games have combined to deliver thrilling gameplay in toxic new release Mutant Trawlers. Players must navigate a contaminated nuclear lake to fish up wins worth a maximum of 3,000x by way of Trawler Respins, Mutant Cash and Meltdown Free Spins. Trawler respins can be triggered whenever a boat lands on the same reel as a Mutant Cash symbol, automatically igniting a chain of respins where multipliers increase after every successful spin.
Wizard Games is ready to deliver magic and mystery in its enchanted new release, Wynmor’s Tales – The Rise. Players are faced with a 5×4 matrix, situated within an eerie mansion, looking to land mystic items across the slots 40 paylines. If a spellbook lands on the fifth reel, then all Cash Symbols are collected, paying out magical rewards.
Games Global’s exclusive studio OROS Gaming, has unveiled Magnificent Power Wolf Fire Spirit™, its latest slot utilising the popular Magnificent Power mechanic that promises captivating gameplay and 4,096 ways to win on a 5×4 grid. Adorned with bear, eagle and dreamcatcher symbols, this Native American-inspired slot immerses players with every spin of the expanding reels, providing ample opportunity to discover the hidden riches with two or more adjacent high-paying symbols awarding a win.
The post Week 20/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Casino Guru, the world’s premier independent online casino resource, proudly announces the launch of its new webinar series, “Safer Gambling Talks.” This innovative series aims to delve into the critical aspects of safer gambling within the industry, addressing jurisdictional nuances and universal consumer protection standards.
“Safer Gambling Talks” is dedicated to fostering a highly responsible gambling environment by engaging with experts and industry leaders. The series will explore various topics, focusing on creating a more sustainable and commercially viable gambling industry that prioritizes player protection.
In the premiere episode, Šimon Vincze, Casino Guru’s Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling, engages in an insightful discussion with Dr. Margaret Carran, Associate Professor in Law and Associate Dean (Education) at The City Law School of City, University of London. The conversation centers on improving self-exclusion practices within the gambling industry, aiming to enhance player protection across different markets. The episode is available on Casino Guru News YouTube channel.
Šimon Vincze, a staunch advocate for responsible gambling, leads Casino Guru’s efforts in sustainable and safer gambling. He spearheads the Global Self-Exclusion Initiative, driving forward best practices in player protection and operator responsibility. Recognizing gaps in existing tools, Šimon is committed to ensuring a safer gambling environment for all.
The post Casino Guru Launches “Safer Gambling Talks” Webinar Series with Šimon Vincze appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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