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BGC Calls on UK Government to Put Child Protection “Front and Centre” of Gambling White Paper
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has called on the UK Government to make child protection a priority in its forthcoming Gambling White Paper.
Chief executive Michael Dugher made the call as the BGC highlighted the work already done by the regulated industry to keep young people safe.
He said the measures were in “stark contrast” to the unsafe unregulated black market online, which has none of the safer gambling measures offered by BGC members, like strict age verification checks.
In all, 15 child protection measures have been introduced since 2019, when the BGC was established, with further measures planned in the months ahead.
They include the £10m Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme, which is delivered to children, teachers and youth workers across the UK by leading safer gambling charities YGAM and GamCare.
Earlier this year, BGC members introduced new rules aimed at ensuring that children cannot view gambling ads on football clubs’ official social media accounts.
BGC members also introduced new age gating rules on advertising on social platforms, restricting the ads to those aged 25 and over for most sites.
Early results from one operator showed a 96% drop in views of social media advertisements by those aged 18–24 in the final three months of 2020, compared to the same period the year before.
The whistle to whistle ban on TV betting commercials during live sport before the watershed has led to a 97% reduction in the number of young people viewing such ads at that time.
As a further example of our members’ commitment to child protection, figures released by independent analysts Serve Legal revealed that betting shops’ record on age verification checks are better than those of supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol forecourts.
Ninety per cent of betting shops have passed “secret shopper” checks in 2021 so far, compared to 83% of convenience stores, 77% of supermarkets and 76% of petrol forecourts.
The BGC is also working with social media platforms and search companies to look at ways of allowing individuals to unsubscribe from betting ads.
The BGC is also calling on others in the regulated betting and gaming industry, and those selling products such as scratch cards in convenience stores and fruit machines in pubs, to follow the lead of betting shops in their success with independent age verification checks
In a sign that the work the BGC has done is having an impact a recent report by the Gambling Commission showed that the rate of problem gambling for 16 to 24-year-olds had fallen from 0.8% to 0.4%.
According to separate Gambling Commission data, the proportion of young people saying they had gambled in the previous seven days fell from 23% in 2011 to 11% in 2019. The regulator also found that the main forms of gambling by 11 to 16-year-olds are playing cards, private bets with friends, scratchcards and fruit machines, not with BGC members.
BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said: “We strongly support the Government’s Gambling Review, which highlighted the protection of children and vulnerable people in a fair and open gambling economy as one of the Government’s main priorities. We therefore hope that child protection will be front and centre of the forthcoming white paper.
“It is clear that the steps BGC members have taken over the previous two years are now providing results.
“Nevertheless, we are not complacent, and protecting young people remains our top priority as we continue raising standards across the regulated industry.
“The BGC and our members will continue drive further changes to prevent under-18s and other vulnerable groups from being exposed to gambling advertising online.
“The regulated betting and gaming industry is determined to promote safer gambling, which is in stark contrast to the unsafe and growing online black market, which has none of the safeguards which are commonplace among BGC members.”
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Book of Sobek
Hölle Games Releases Book of Sobek
Hölle Games has released its latest online slot, Book of Sobek. This 5×3, 10 payline slot invites players to dive deep into the magical Nile and enter the aquatic temple of the ancient Crocodile God.
With every spin, the mighty Sobek may rise from the depths to bless the reels. When players manage to uncover 3 or more sacred Books, the temple chambers swing open, granting entry into the Free Games. Within this inner sanctum, a special expanding symbol is chosen; should it land, it will stretch across the reels like the flooding Nile, paving the way for monumental wins of up to 5000x. Featuring both Feature Buy and Fire Stake options, the game is available now for MGA with other markets coming soon.
The post Hölle Games Releases Book of Sobek appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Hub88
Hub88 and Odds88 Enters into Strategic Partnership with MINT
Hub88 and Odds88 have entered a strategic partnership with MINT, the advanced iGaming platform built on Web3 infrastructure, seeking to expand the new operator’s position at the forefront of iGaming innovation.
MINT is designed as a next-generation gaming ecosystem, set to provide tier-one iGaming and sportsbook expertise with the agility of Web3 technology. Backed by industry heavyweights including Hero Gaming, the platform will bring credibility, technical reliability and a premium user experience to a rapidly evolving market.
Through the partnership, Hub88 will provide MINT with seamless access to its portfolio of more than 12,000 titles, while supporting efficient platform development, streamlined integration and long-term scalability through a robust API. Odds88 will provide the operator’s sportsbook platform, with a highly customisable front-end, access to multiple odds feeds, with coverage of more than 1.5 million sports fixtures, and industry-leading risk management.
By leveraging both brands’ expertise, MINT will be able to focus on delivering consistency across verticals, frictionless onboarding and UX innovation – helping bridge the gap between traditional iGaming standards and emerging technological capabilities.
Ollie Castleman, Managing Director at Hub88, said: “MINT represents a new generation of iGaming platforms that are approaching Web3 with the maturity and high standards the industry expects.
“Alongside Odds88, this partnership aligns with our focus on supporting innovative operator brands that prioritise scalability, reliability and user experience.”
Will Fyler, Managing Director at Odds88, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with MINT along with Hub88 as we raise the game. Our vision to disrupt the industry and deliver a truly forward-facing proposition make this collaboration truly exciting.
“The operator is driven by exceptional talent, and we can’t wait to go live this quarter. Let’s get minted.”
Zak Manhire, CEO at MINT, said: “MINT is all about redefining expectations. We will not only push the limits of Hub88 and Odds88 and challenge what’s possible, but in doing so, we’ll grow together, champion innovation, and deliver a platform that surprises players in the best possible way.”
The post Hub88 and Odds88 Enters into Strategic Partnership with MINT appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ACMA
ACMA: Six Wagering Providers Breach Gambling Self-Exclusion Rules
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has concluded six more investigations into licensed wagering providers for breaches of self-exclusion rules.
The ACMA investigations found Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet and BetChamps all failed to comply with rules that protect people who registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register.
The facts of each investigation are different but the breaches across the investigations included allowing registered individuals to open wagering accounts and to access wagering services, or marketing to registered individuals.
ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said these breaches undermine the protections from gambling harm that self-exclusion offers.
“The national self-exclusion register is designed to help people who are trying to avoid gambling services and stop gambling, but self-exclusion only works if wagering providers follow the rules,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
“These rules have been in place for more than two years and wagering providers should be taking their responsibilities seriously.
“When people decide to self-exclude from online and telephone gambling, they trust the system to protect them from gambling harm. These investigations have found that these companies broke that trust and let people down.
“All licensed wagering providers need to be aware that the ACMA is investigating compliance and enforcing the rules. Gambling companies must have effective systems in place to ensure self-excluded people cannot gamble with them.”
The investigations identified that the providers did not ensure that their underlying systems and processes were operating as intended and failed to adequately identify and protect people who had self-excluded.
In response to these findings, the ACMA has used a range of different enforcement tools available under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, having regard to the different facts arising under each investigation.
The ACMA has issued remedial directions to each of Betfocus, LightningBet and TempleBet. Under these remedial directions each of the providers will be required by law to commission an independent audit of their systems and implement any resulting recommendations.
This type of enforcement action is corrective and directed at future compliance with the rules. Failure to comply with a remedial direction is an offence and can result in civil penalties.
Tabcorp Holdings paid a penalty of $112,680 and agreed to enter into a court-enforceable undertaking requiring the company to commission a third-party review of its customer verification processes and train staff on their obligations around the Register. If not complied with, such an undertaking can be enforced in the Federal Court, with the Court being able to make such orders as it considers appropriate.
BetChamps was given a formal warning and the ACMA is currently finalising enforcement action for Picklebet.
All contraventions were found to have occurred in 2024. If these companies fail to comply with self-exclusion rules in the future, the ACMA may take stronger enforcement action, potentially including commencement of Federal Court proceedings to seek civil penalties.
The post ACMA: Six Wagering Providers Breach Gambling Self-Exclusion Rules appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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