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National Centre for Social Research to Lead Monitoring and Evaluation of Gambling Act Review
The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has been commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and the Gambling Commission to develop a Monitoring and Evaluation plan for the Gambling Act Review. The Gambling Act Review was launched in 2020 to examine whether changes to gambling regulation in Great Britain are needed since the Gambling Act of 2005.
The project will establish the evaluation design to address how effective the Gambling Act Review (GAR) has been in preventing gambling-related harm to vulnerable groups and wider communities, gambling behaviours and the gambling market. The GAR evaluation will also aim to consider whether:
- there is an appropriate balance between consumer freedoms and choice on the one hand, and prevention of harm to vulnerable groups and wider communities on the other; and
- customers are suitably protected whenever and wherever they are gambling, and that there is an equitable approach to the regulation of the online and the land-based industries.
NatCen will develop a Theory of Change (ToC) for the GAR in co-design with DCMS and the Gambling Commission. This ToC will be supported by document analysis to ensure that the evaluation design is considered in the full context of recent changes in the gambling landscape.
NatCen will deliver a complete evaluation plan considering feasible approaches and practical recommendations for implementing this evaluation of the critical review.
Dr Sokratis Dinos, NatCen’s Director of Health Policy, said: “We are delighted to work on this project, to develop this monitoring and evaluation plan of the vital Gambling Act Review. The past decade has seen a significant shift in the perspective of gambling harms, and this contract is pivotal in providing feasible approaches and practical recommendations. This evaluation will consider the extent to which measures have effectively prevented gambling related harm to vulnerable groups and wider communities, whilst enabling the balance of consumer freedom and informed choice, and explore the wider impact on gambling behaviours and the market.”
Casino Guru
Casino Guru Academy hits 5,000-user milestone
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Casino Guru Academy has officially crossed the 5,000-user mark, which clearly demonstrates a growing interest in accessible and meaningful education for iGaming professionals.
As an extension of Casino Guru, the world’s biggest source of information about online casinos and player advocacy, the Academy offers free practical courses that help raise as well as improve iGaming industry standards.
Five thousand users who joined Casino Guru Academy demonstrate how useful education can be, particularly when produced in partnership with industry experts. Courses that the Academy provides focus on real-world tools and skills required in customer support, anti-money laundering, affiliate management, safer gambling, and more.
“The fact that we now have over 5,000 users is a huge success for us, as it shows how many people value this kind of learning. Having companies use our courses for onboarding is one of the key reasons we have reached this milestone. It proves there’s genuine demand for our work and supports the impact we aim to create,” said Šimon Vincze, Sustainable & Safer Gambling Lead and the person behind the Casino Guru Academy.
This accomplishment follows the Academy’s first-ever appearance at SiGMA Malta in September 2025, when the team behind the Academy introduced its mission to a larger audience. The event exceeded all expectations and was a key step toward developing direct connections with its audience.
Additionally, Casino Guru Academy has introduced an upgraded version of its website to make course navigation easier, increase accessibility, and provide a more engaging experience. The new layout also creates a path for future development as the Academy broadens its course library.
With that said, a new course on responses to self-harm and suicide threats is in the works and should be released by the end of the year. It’s intended for customer support agents and responsible gambling representatives to recognize players in distress, respond to potential self-harm threats, and take action.
With the 5,000-user milestone achieved and new design improvements completed, the Casino Guru Academy continues to grow, making a positive impact on the iGaming community.
The post Casino Guru Academy hits 5,000-user milestone appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
ArenaPlus
DigiPlus Partners with Pay&Go
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DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (DigiPlus), the pioneer and leading digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, announced a strategic partnership with Pay&Go, one of the leading providers of self-service payment kiosks, to expand secure and convenient wallet-loading options for its players.
Through this new payments partnership, DigiPlus and Pay&Go, the self-service payment kiosks operated by BTI Payment Philippines, a subsidiary of Australia-based Banktech, will enable users to fund their e-wallets with utmost ease by way of its growing network of 3500 self-service kiosks. With a cash-out feature also being eyed early next year, this collaboration kicks off with BingoPlus and will expand soon to ArenaPlus and GameZone.
“Our commitment at DigiPlus has always been to deliver digital entertainment that is engaging, trustworthy, and service-oriented. Achieving that requires strong partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to customer trust and service excellence. This partnership with Pay&Go is grounded in innovation, accessibility, and a shared mission to serve more Filipinos through secure and convenient payment touchpoints. This means more access, more convenience, and more ways for our community to enjoy the DigiPlus experience wherever they are,” said Jasper Vicencio, President of AB Leisure Exponent Inc. and Total Gamezone Xtreme Inc.
Formally signed on November 26, this partnership agreement was led by Vicencio together with Danilo Ibarra, CEO of BTI Payments Philippines and its COO Mariel Medina, pairing the former’s growing digital ecosystem with the latter’s operational expertise.
“We are excited to support DigiPlus with Pay&Go’s nationwide footprint. Together, we’re making trusted payment access available to more BingoPlus players across the country and soon with ArenaPlus and GameZone. DigiPlus sets a high bar on player trust and Pay&Go is determined to meet it,” said Ibarra.
DigiPlus partners only with payment channels certified by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in accordance with the requirements set by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). In partnering with BTI Payments, a certified Operator for Payment System (OPS) and Independent ATM Deployer (IAD) whose breadth of experience spans for over 25 years, DigiPlus taps into decades of expertise in transaction processing and payment device management.
The Pay&Go payment kiosks partnership significantly expands DigiPlus’ comprehensive customer service and player support network. This existing network currently includes dedicated in-house 24/7 customer support, over 130 physical BingoPlus stores nationwide, over-the-counter payment channel options and a surety bond protecting player wallets. The expansion of these service touchpoints is a testament to DigiPlus’ ongoing commitment to providing safe, reliable and accessible digital entertainment to the Filipino market.
The post DigiPlus Partners with Pay&Go appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Regulators Call for Stronger Measures Against Illegal Online Gambling
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Regulators of Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal and Spain issued a joint institutional statement.
The fight against illegal online gambling is one of the paramount tasks facing regulated jurisdictions. Its borderless nature and the speed of technological innovation make it easier for illegal operators to evade regulatory oversight. This creates significant risks for consumer and public health protection, endanger public order and harms the activity of legitimate operators. In short, illegal online gambling undermines the entire regulatory framework designed to protect the public interest.
The statement reads: “We express our common concern regarding the increasing proliferation of advertising targeting our jurisdictions by unauthorised operators, particularly through digital channels such as social media, video platforms, and affiliate networks. These activities not only violate our national laws but also expose citizens — including minors and vulnerable individuals — to significant risks associated with illegal gambling.
“We wish to express our strong commitment to consumer protection, market integrity, and compliance with national and international regulations within the respective legal framework by:
• sharing information on illegal operators among us
• calling on digital platforms and social media networks to strengthen their control mechanisms to prevent the dissemination of advertising content from unauthorised operators
• reaffirming our commitment to share knowledge and better practices in identifying, investigating, and sanctioning operators acting outside the law.
This statement marks a renewed and united commitment by our jurisdictions to strengthen the integrity of the regulated gambling sector and to protect citizens from the risks posed by illegal gambling activities.”
The post Regulators Call for Stronger Measures Against Illegal Online Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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