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GambleAware Publishes Details of Donations Received in 2023/24

Published

2 years ago

June 4, 2024

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GambleAware, the leading commissioner of programmes focused on gambling harms in Great Britain, has published the details of donations it received in the 2023/24 financial year.

The charity received £49.5 million in voluntary industry donations over the year. Of this, 94% of the voluntary donations came from the largest four gambling operators in Great Britain, who donated a total of £46.6 million. This represents an increase of £3.1m from the previous year’s contributions of £43.5m from these operators.

Voluntary donations are essential for GambleAware’s continuing commissioning work. The charity believes the gambling industry should be held accountable to contribute financially to the vital services that prevent gambling harms, which is why it has consistently advocated for a statutory levy. Until the implementation of the statutory levy, gambling operator funding remains the primary source of funding for research, prevention and treatment. Despite the donations received, as an independent charity, GambleAware has an extremely robust system of governance processes in place, works to hold the gambling industry to account, and the gambling industry has absolutely no input, influence or authority over any of its activity.

GambleAware’s work includes commissioning the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), which provides free, confidential treatment across Great Britain, as well as the National Gambling Helpline which takes around 52,000 calls and online chats a year. Funding is also used to enable GambleAware to commission research and evaluation to increase knowledge and understanding of the prevention of gambling harm, as well as reducing stigma associated with gambling harm, for public health campaigns, and for providing support, advice, and tools to help people make informed decisions about gambling.

The voluntary donations received in 2023/24 mark the last year of a four year commitment made in 2020 by the largest four operators to gradually increase the percentage of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) donated as RET from 0.25% in 2019/20 to 1% in 2023/24.

There remains uncertainty of funding for the current financial year 2024/25 while the sector awaits clarity on the process and timing around implementation of the statutory levy. GambleAware continues to work with the Gambling Commission and the Department for Culture Media and Sport during this transition period.

Zoë Osmond, GambleAware Chief Executive, said: “While we await the implementation of the new statutory levy, donations from the voluntary funding system are key to ensure GambleAware can continue to deliver the essential gambling harm prevention and treatment programmes we commission.

“For many years we have been calling for the introduction of a statutory levy on the gambling industry and we are pleased the Government has committed to delivering this as part of the Gambling White Paper. However, during the transition period it is vital that steps continue to be taken to ensure there is no disruption to existing services and provisions in the wider system as they adapt to the new levy funding model.”

As well as voluntary donations received, the Gambling Commission also allocated £33.5 million of regulatory settlement funds to GambleAware during the last financial year. These are managed as a restricted fund to be allocated to playing a part in stabilising the wider system of gambling harm prevention, support, and treatment during the transition period from a voluntary to a statutory levy system. The regulatory settlement funds were allocated to GambleAware by the Gambling Commission in accordance with its Statement of Principles for determining financial penalties.

The post GambleAware Publishes Details of Donations Received in 2023/24 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

bet365

Octoplay launches with bet365 in the UK

Published

2 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

Octoplay has gone live with bet365 in the United Kingdom, adding the operator to its roster of tier-one partners in the regulated UK market.

The supplier said the bet365 rollout follows recent UK launches with Virgin Bet and BetVictor as it expands distribution with major local brands.

Outside the UK, Octoplay pointed to recent go-lives with Paf in Finland, PokerStars in Spain and Italy, and Superbet in Brazil.

“Our partnership with bet365 represents another step in our accelerating UK expansion,” says Ralitsa Georgieva, CEO at Octoplay. “Working with one of the industry’s most recognized operators validates our approach and builds on the momentum we’ve established through successful integrations with leading UK brands throughout 2025.”

“We are pleased to partner with Octoplay and introduce their game portfolio to our UK players,” says Clement Le Scanff, Head of Gaming at bet365. “Their focus on quality content and player engagement aligns with our commitment to providing the best entertainment to our customers.”

Octoplay said it holds active licenses in 17 jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Malta, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Greece, Spain, Finland, Brazil, New Jersey, Michigan, Ontario, and Georgia.

The post Octoplay launches with bet365 in the UK appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Barcelona Technology Campus

Zitro Achieves ISO 27001 Recertification at its Barcelona Technology Campus

Published

2 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Zitro has successfully renewed its ISO 27001 certification for the Information Security Management System (ISMS) at its Barcelona Technology Campus. This achievement, framed within the company’s ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) commitments, reinforces its ongoing commitment to cybersecurity and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive customer and employee data.

ISO 27001 is part of the ISO 27000 family of international standards for information security. This framework enables organisations to identify risks, implement effective controls and ensure information protection in line with global best practices, while also ensuring compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

For Zitro, this recertification confirms the rigorous and continuous work the company carries out in the field of information security. The Barcelona Technology Campus—dedicated to the development of software and hardware for the gaming industry—maintains the highest standards, and this recognition reflects the level of commitment embedded across all its processes.

The post Zitro Achieves ISO 27001 Recertification at its Barcelona Technology Campus appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Asia

Kazakhstan Orders Telecom Providers to Block Illegal Online Casino Payments via Mobile Balances

Published

2 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

kazakhstan-orders-telecom-providers-to-block-illegal-online-casino-payments-via-mobile-balances

Kazakhstan authorities have moved to tighten controls on illegal online gambling payments after uncovering schemes that use mobile phone balances to fund unlicensed casino activity.

The Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) issued instructions to telecom providers to strengthen monitoring and introduce systems to detect and block suspicious transactions.

According to the FMA, mobile operators including Tele2, Altel, Beeline, Kcell and Activ were called to a working meeting where regulators demonstrated how illicit payment flows to online casinos are being processed.

To verify the issue, the FMA carried out test purchases across 10 illegal online casino websites using services from all major mobile operators. The tests confirmed that payments via mobile balances were possible.

The agency stated that the goal is to cut off financial access to illegal operators and reduce public exposure to unregulated platforms. Further enforcement actions are expected as monitoring continues.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is preparing to significantly tighten rules on the promotion of illegal gambling. A group of senators is advancing an initiative to introduce criminal penalties for influencers who advertise online casinos and organise “giveaways.”

In related developments, a Kazakhstani influencer has recently been arrested in Vietnam on suspicion of running an illegal gambling operation.

Furthermore, the country is also restricting citizens’ access to legal gambling options, indicating a broader anti-gambling stance towards locals while still pursuing gambling tourism.

Lawmakers introduced rules restricting access to casinos, slot machine halls and betting venues in several regions to foreign nationals only. The changes will take effect on 17 May.

In March, President Tokayev signed a law establishing four new gambling zones for foreigners in the country.

The post Kazakhstan Orders Telecom Providers to Block Illegal Online Casino Payments via Mobile Balances appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.