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BGC Urges UK Chancellor to Drop the Proposed New Gambling Tax Simplification Measure

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has urged the UK Chancellor against using a proposed new gambling tax simplification measure to further raise taxes which will threaten sports including horse racing.
In the Autumn Statement, the Government confirmed it will consult on new proposals to bring remote betting into a single tax, replacing the current three-tax structure.
General betting duty and pool betting duty are set at 15% of operator profits, but remote gaming duty, levied on games of chance such as online casino, is set at 21%.
Any hike in betting duty would likely lead to lower margins on racing, fewer offers for punters and less funding to sponsor and promote the sport.
The tax threat comes as revenues are already being stretched by so-called affordability checks on customers, plans to replace the current voluntary levy with a new statutory levy to fund Research, Education and Treatment to tackle gambling related harm and spiraling costs for betting operators to support horse racing.
Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “Any further new tax rises could be a hammer blow for horse racing’s finances, which are already threatened thanks to measures proposed by the Government in the recent white paper.
“This is a sport which relies heavily on betting operators for its success and yet the Government appears determined to draft in measures which shrink the industry with huge ramifications for other sectors, like horse racing.
“What’s worse, the Treasury didn’t bother to consult or even inform DCMS, which is the department responsible for betting and racing. It seems they are high on tax but low on joined up government.
“There are genuine fears that any so-called simplification of the current tax structure will be nothing more than a Trojan Horse to further raise taxes on businesses.
“This has the potential to risk jobs and investment, and undermine the competitiveness of British horse racing on the global stage, placing its rich history and heritage in peril.
“We were promised an Autumn Statement that would deliver growth – the only thing growing is the list of worries for the betting and horse racing industries”.
The proposed new tax simplification plan comes soon after the Government’s White Paper, published in April, which included measures that will cost online operators in excess of £895m in Gross Gambling Yield.
And comes as bookmakers are preparing to make a record contribution to horse racing next year – with the bill for media rights forecast to increase by nearly £30m.
The Betting and Gaming Council’s five biggest members for horse race betting, Entain, Flutter, bet365, 888/William Hill and Betfred, expect to see a record cost increase to broadcast races.
In 2022, BGC members paid £270.1m for the rights to live stream races for customers and show them in bookmakers.
But that cost is forecast to rise to £285.3m this year, an increase of 5.6%, with members estimating a further increase to £315.2m in 2024, a further bump of 10.5%.
The forecast costs come after the BGC announced their members directly contributed £384m to British horse racing last year in levy, media rights and sponsorship deals.
In addition, bookmakers spent £125m on marketing to promote racing and betting through advertisements and partnerships.
Horse racing is the second biggest sport in the UK, second only to football, with more than five million people attending around 1400 fixtures annually across 59 racecourses.
However, its popularity is in decline. In 2007, 17% of the population participated in horse race betting in the previous year, but that fell to 10% in 2018.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has committed to reviewing the Horseracing Levy by next year.
The Horseracing Levy, which is administered by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, goes towards improving the sport, breeding and boosting veterinary care.
Betting operators are working closely with the British Horseracing Authority and racing stakeholders on much needed reforms to the fixture list and race programme which should increase commercial returns from the levy and media rights.
Betting shops support 42,000 jobs on the UK’s hard-pressed high streets, generating £800 million a year in tax to the Treasury and another £60m in business rates to local councils.
But this contribution is under threat, the combined impacts of recent regulatory reforms and Covid lockdowns have forced the closure of over 2000 shops with the loss of 10,000 jobs since 2019.
The wider regulated betting and gaming industry contributes £7.1bn to the economy, generates £4.2bn in tax and supports 110,000 jobs.
The BGC has repeatedly warned changes to the regulated betting and gaming sector by the Government must not risk forcing customer to the unsafe gambling black market online.
A study by PWC showed the number of customers using an unlicensed betting website has grown from 210,000 to 460,000 and billions is being staked.
Each month in Great Britain around 22.5m adults have a bet and the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.
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Arizona Department of Gaming and Arizona Lottery Announce Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month

State agencies join forces to raise awareness, promote prevention, and provide tools for safe and responsible play.
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) and the Arizona Lottery are proud to announce a joint effort in support of a new Proclamation recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month in Arizona.
Responsible gaming is about ensuring that individuals who choose to play have the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to make informed decisions and enjoy gaming as a form of entertainment. While problem gambling initiatives focus on helping those already experiencing harm from gambling, responsible gaming emphasizes prevention by encouraging healthy play behaviors before they reach a critical point.
Throughout September, and continuing in the months ahead, the ADG and Arizona Lottery will work together to strengthen education and awareness initiatives. The goal is to equip players with strategies and resources that help them keep gaming fun and safe, while helping reduce the risks associated with problem gambling.
“For over 30 years, the Arizona Department of Gaming has safeguarded the integrity of gaming through strong consumer protections, enforcement against illegal operators, and support services for those impacted by problem gambling,” said Jackie Johnson, Arizona Department of Gaming Agency Director. “During Responsible Gaming Education Month, we remind everyone that part of playing responsibly is being informed—always double-check before you place your bet to ensure you are using a legal, regulated operator at gaming.az.gov/checkyourbet.”
The Arizona Lottery also remains steadfast in its commitment to responsible play and has a Level 2 certification with the World Lottery Association for responsible gaming. Lottery games benefit the people of Arizona by generating critical revenue that funds education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and economic development. At the same time, the Lottery prioritizes the well-being of its players. Each ticket includes clear odds of winning, vending machines display game odds, and the 1-800-NEXT-STEP helpline is featured across Lottery products and advertising.
“We are proud to deliver entertainment that benefits communities across our state, while recognizing our responsibility to promote safe play,” said Alec Thomson, Arizona Lottery Executive Director. “Through transparency and awareness, we want every player to have the tools they need to make informed decisions and enjoy the Lottery responsibly.”
As Arizona observes Responsible Gaming Education Month, ADG and the Arizona Lottery encourage all players to stay informed, know their limits, and seek help if needed. Together, we can ensure that gaming remains a source of entertainment that strengthens, rather than harms, Arizona communities.
For more information and resources, visit gaming.az.gov/ResponsibleGaming or ArizonaLottery.com/ResponsibleGaming. If you or someone you know may be struggling with problem gambling, call or text 1-800-NEXT-STEP for confidential support available 24/7.
The post Arizona Department of Gaming and Arizona Lottery Announce Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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VeliTech Appoints Mats Lundin as Chief Sales Officer

Seasoned iGaming executive brings decade of commercial expertise to drive B2B growth
VeliTech, the B2B technology division of Veli Group, today announced the appointment of Mats Lundin as Chief Sales Officer (CSO). Lundin brings over 10 years of commercial leadership experience across the iGaming sector to accelerate VeliTech expansion as operators worldwide seek battle-tested platform solutions.
In his new role, Lundin will spearhead VeliTech global sales strategy, focusing on delivering the company’s comprehensive suite of iGaming solutions to operators seeking proven technology backed by real-world performance. His appointment reinforces VeliTech commitment to partnering with operators who demand more than promises – they want technology that is already winning in the market.
“Mats embodies the kind of proven expertise that our operator partners expect,” said Giorgi Aleksidze, CEO at VeliTech.
“His track record of building meaningful relationships and driving revenue growth aligns perfectly with our approach of backing our technology with real results. When we say we bet on our tech, we need leaders who understand what that means in practice.”
Lundin joins VeliTech from Vegangster, where he served as Sales Manager. His career spans key roles including Director of Sales and Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, Head of Sales at iSoftBet, and various commercial positions where he consistently delivered revenue growth and market expansion
“What drew me to VeliTech is their unique position in the market,” said Lundin.
“This is not just another platform provider making bold claims – this is a team that operates their own gaming brands and proves their technology works where it matters most. That combination of technical excellence and real-world validation creates compelling value for operators.”
Throughout his career, Lundin has specialised in provider and operator relationship management, regulatory navigation, and market analysis. His expertise spans both B2B and B2C sectors, with a proven ability to identify growth opportunities and translate them into sustainable commercial success.
The VeliTech platforms cover all critical aspects of iGaming, including player account management, no-code CRM, payment gateway, content aggregation, and game development. The appointment of Lundin as CSO comes as the company continues expanding its presence across regulated markets, from European casinos to emerging African markets.
The post VeliTech Appoints Mats Lundin as Chief Sales Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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