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UK’s BGC calls for Online Harms Bill to crackdown on black-market unregulated gambling operators endangering children

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Standards body BGC Calls for government to use Online Harms Bill to crackdown on unregulated gambling operators

Analysis conducted for the new standards body, the Betting and Gaming Council which represents UK regulated operators, reveals consumers are exposed to large numbers of unlicensed operators (38%) through search results for key gambling terms on major search engines.

  • 4 in 10 search results for key gambling terms on major search engines are unlicensed black-market operators
  • Danger that children are accessing illegal websites with no strict ID and age verification measures unlike U.K. licensed operators.
  • 27 million visits from UK IP addresses to black—market gambling sites
  • Estimated 200,000 people in U.K. have used illegal gambling sites in past 12 months

The BGC calls on the government to ensure that the Online Harms Bill, soon to be introduced in parliament, includes action to crack down on platforms who profit from unregulated, black market gambling operators.

There is a particular danger that children are accessing these websites where there are no strict ID and age verification measures deployed by U.K. licensed operators. New strict age verification procedures introduced in May 2019 for UK licensed operators require full verification of name, age and address before anyone can open an online account or place a bet.

The regulatory Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (formerly RGSB) warned in 2018 that internet service providers, app stores, search engine companies, and other relevant providers should be vigilant to the possibility of third party use of their products to provide illegal gambling to children and young people, and should be proactive in preventing it.

The sizeable proportion of gamblers using unlicensed operators reveals that the size of the active ‘black market’ in the UK today is worth around £1.4bn in stakes.

Web traffic statistics suggest that there are 27 million visits from UK IP addresses. Some unlicensed websites block customers from the U.K. but many of those can be circumvented using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks).

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the BGC, said: “Search platforms are promoting black-market gambling operators for profit, putting the British consumers, including children, at risk. None of the UK’s strict licensed safeguards are in place on these illegal sites.

“Regulated bookies and online operators have a strict zero tolerance approach to underage gambling, yet unlicensed operators are free to prey on vulnerable consumers.

“We welcome the Government’s Online Harms Bill. But it also provides the Government with a chance to clamp down on the black-market and help protect punters who want a flutter in a safe environment.”

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Platipus Secures Ontario Supplier Licence

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Platipus Gaming has officially obtained a supplier licence to operate in the province of Ontario, Canada. This licence allows the company to provide gaming content to licensed operators in the province and represents a significant milestone in Platipus’ ongoing focus on regulatory alignment, operational consistency, and responsible product supply.

Importance for Operators

For Ontario-licensed operators, partnering with a licensed supplier like Platipus ensures that content is delivered in line with AGCO requirements. This reduces the need for additional regulatory assessments and supports smoother integration of third-party content into licensed operations. All products are designed and supplied with responsible gambling and player protection in mind, adhering to the technical and operational standards required by the Commission.

Strategic Significance for Platipus Gaming

The Ontario licence is a reflection of Platipus’ compliance-by-design philosophy. Regulatory considerations are integrated early in the development process, rather than being addressed as a final checkpoint. This approach ensures that products, processes, and operational structures are prepared for regulated environments from the outset.

Operating under AGCO also positions Platipus to engage with other regulated markets where Ontario standards are often referenced as benchmarks. The licence supports the company’s long-term goal of maintaining consistent product quality, operational reliability, and responsible content supply across multiple jurisdictions.

Company Perspectives

A spokesperson from the Legal Department commented: “We are pleased to receive our supplier licence in Ontario and to make our gaming content and solutions available. Following a comprehensive application process, we can now formally present this achievement as part of our regulated market presence.”

Viktoriia Andreasen, Head of Marketing, added: “Ontario stands out as a well-structured and highly organised jurisdiction. It represents an important regulated market with strong operational standards”.

Ontario supplier licence confirms that Platipus can deliver content in one of the world’s most tightly regulated iGaming markets, with all technical, operational, and compliance requirements addressed.

This milestone represents more than a geographic expansion. It signals that Platipus Gaming has structured processes, robust governance, and a compliance-focused development approach, supporting sustainable regulated operations and long-term market participation.

The post Platipus Secures Ontario Supplier Licence appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Media Troopers cites March Madness betting surge across US regulated markets

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Media Troopers said March Madness 2026 drove one of its strongest periods for traffic and customer acquisition across US-regulated sports betting markets, following the conclusion of the tournament in which the Michigan Wolverines beat the Connecticut Huskies 69-63 in the national championship game.

The digital marketing and customer acquisition group said final figures were not yet complete, but noted consistent traffic and conversion rates across its network during the multi-week event. Media Troopers also pointed to the American Gaming Association’s estimate of a $3.3 billion handle from licensed US betting operators during this year’s tournament.

“Everyone talks about the Super Bowl as the peak moment, and in terms of a single event, that’s true,” said Media Troopers CEO, Shmulik Segal. “But March Madness betting has always been different, and we can see it by the exponential growth this year. Unlike the Super Bowl which peaks over one night, March Madness delivers scale over time. You’re not looking at one spike, you’re looking at consistent, high-intent engagement for weeks.”

The company said operators benefited from repeated touchpoints, with returning customers using existing accounts to place college basketball bets throughout the tournament. “What made this March Madness so powerful was frequency,” Segal added. “Users are not just placing one bet. The predictions, odds, and results create a new reality every day. So bettors are coming back day after day, round after round. From an acquisition and retention perspective, that’s incredibly valuable.”

Segal also tied the tournament’s impact to continued expansion in the US regulated landscape. “Regulation has changed the game,” he said. “You now have more states, more operators, and more competition. Events like March Madness allow operators to differentiate and build long-term relationships with players, not just capture one-off bets.”

The post Media Troopers cites March Madness betting surge across US regulated markets appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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ACR POKER’S BLAZING HIGH FIVE TOURNAMENT SERIES RETURNS WITH $4 MILLION GUARANTEED THIS APRIL

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New ‘Highest Five’ nosebleed events with buy-ins ranging from $5,200 to $25,500 mark the biggest stakes ever seen on ACR Poker

ACR Poker’s most lit week is back with the return of The High Five Tournament Series from April 19th to 23rd, bringing $4 Million GTD across 50 events. Each day brings a full slate of action, with 10 smoking tourneys firing daily including five high-stakes events featuring buy-ins of $44 and over and five low-stakes events with buy-ins of $33 and under.

And this year, the stakes are even higher with the new ‘Highest Five’ tourneys added on top. For the first time, ACR Poker is rolling out elite nosebleed tourneys designed for the game’s boldest players. Two nosebleed events will take place each day of the High Five Tournament Series with buy-ins from $5,200 to $25,500, marking the biggest stakes ever seen on ACR.

The High Five Tournament Series Main Event will take place on Monday, April 20th, featuring a $420 buy-in and a $200,000 GTD prize pool. The schedule also includes a special rebuy and add-on day on Monday, April 20th and a PLO day on Wednesday, April 22nd.

And the action doesn’t stop there. Players can blaze up the standings in the High Five Leaderboard Competition, where more than $25,000 in prizes are up for grabs, including $2,650 Venom seats, tourney tickets and The Golden Bong trophies. Simply by playing in High Five events, players will earn points towards either the High Leaderboard (buy-ins of $44 and over) or the Low Leaderboard (buy-ins of $33 or under).

The stakes are high and so are the names stepping in. ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker is locked in to play every Highest Five event, and so is CEO Phil Nagy. “The High Five Tournament Series has a fun vibe to it and I’m excited to be jumping into the new Highest Five tourneys,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “But what’s great about this series is that players of all bankrolls can get in on the action from small-stakes grinders to high-rollers. We’ll see you at the tables.”

For more information, visit ACRPoker.eu.

The post ACR POKER’S BLAZING HIGH FIVE TOURNAMENT SERIES RETURNS WITH $4 MILLION GUARANTEED THIS APRIL appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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