Press Releases
UK’s BGC calls for Online Harms Bill to crackdown on black-market unregulated gambling operators endangering children
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.”
EPIC Global Solutions
Onrise and EPIC agree strategic partnership for gambling harm prevention
The comprehensive Onrise network will now be able to signpost to services that educate athletes and coaches on better gambling-related choices.
Onrise, the trusted mental health platform for athletes across the US, has agreed to a strategic partnership with leading harm prevention consultants EPIC Global Solutions to enhance gambling harm prevention services for athletes and coaches at professional and collegiate level.
Collaborating to deal with the growing issues connected to sports wagering and other forms of gambling, EPIC’s expertise – grounded in lived experience of gambling addiction – will support the 250+ peer support experts at Onrise by providing face-to-face or digital education options for sports organizations to promote awareness of safer relationships with gambling products.
The additional service will be made available to supplement the comprehensive Onrise network, which includes peer support from retired and certified athletes, licensed therapist, psychiatric care and sports performance, delivered through secure one-on-one sessions with flexible scheduling.
Kim Quigley, founder and CEO of Onrise, brokered the partnership after seeing evidence of EPIC’s delivery method, which currently includes education programs to NCAA student-athletes and staff as well as major league professionals.
“Student-athletes live in a time where gambling and sport intertwine in so many ways, with significant wagering interest in collegiate sport,” said Kim Quigley, MD, CEO of Onrise.
“This partnership with EPIC Global Solutions is about getting in early, before a bet becomes a burden they carry in silence. By pairing world-class gambling education with Onrise’s always-on, athlete-specific mental health care, we can spot risk sooner, intervene faster, and protect their health, future, and the team communities depending on them.”
Paul Buck, CEO of EPIC Global Solutions, added: “This strategic partnership has arisen because we both felt there was a real alignment of shared values between the two organizations. Gambling and sports wagering is growing fast in the US, not least in the sports and college sectors where we both operate.
“The two organizations are on a growth curve and will be stronger together for our clients and beneficiaries. We are both people centered and athlete focused, dedicated to doing good for mental health, wellbeing and performance.”
The partnership is announced as Problem Gambling Awareness Month begins in the US, running throughout March to raise wider understanding of how gambling issues can be identified and prevented.
The post Onrise and EPIC agree strategic partnership for gambling harm prevention appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Ben Bradtke Co-Founder of ThrillTech
ThrillTech enters Brazilian market with EstrelaBet
ThrillTech, a global leader in side-bet jackpot technology for iGaming operators and game studios, has partnered with EstrelaBet to launch ThrillPots in the regulated Brazilian market.
EstrelaBet has built a strong presence in Brazil by backing innovation and working with international technology partners as the market develops, making them an ideal launch partner for ThrillTech’s entry into the market
This partnership is ThrillTech’s first operator deal in Brazil and follows the company’s expansion into the market under a regulated framework. Through the agreement, ThrillPots will be introduced to EstrelaBet’s platform as ThrillTech continues to build a presence in Latin America’s regulated markets.
The EstrelaBet partnership builds on a year of robust momentum for ThrillTech, following recent operator launches, including its agreement with NordPlay. In 2025, the company expanded its regulatory footprint to 10 jurisdictions, secured ISO 27001 certification, and strengthened its senior leadership team as it prepared for further geographic growth. ThrillTech’s ThrillPots and ThrillDrops products are now deployed across 10 regulated markets globally.
Ben Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said “This partnership brings ThrillTech into Brazil, which is a market that’s developed fast and is setting the pace for regulated growth in the region. EstrelaBet knows the market inside out, and together, we’re bringing ThrillPots live and opening up new jackpot experiences for Brazilian players.”
Pedro Schmidt, Chief Commercial Officer for EstrelaBet added: “This partnership introduces a new jackpot technology to the Brazilian regulated market. We are pleased to be among the first operators to make this solution available locally, expanding the range of experiences offered to our players while maintaining our commitment to responsible gaming.”
The post ThrillTech enters Brazilian market with EstrelaBet appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Compliance Updates
Xpoint gains Massachusetts vendor license as North American expansion accelerates
Xpoint, a leading geolocation and compliance technology company, has officially been granted a vendor license to enter the regulated sports betting market in Massachusetts.
The move marks the latest strategic milestone in the company’s rapid North American expansion, reinforcing its position as a primary provider of essential gaming infrastructure.
Xpoint’s market-leading geolocation solution is now available to operators in the Bay State, providing the high-precision tools required to ensure all player activity is fully compliant with the stringent legal requirements set out by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
With the addition of Massachusetts, Xpoint is now authorized to support regulated online sports wagering in 28 states and territories, as well as Ontario in Canada. The latest license follows a period of intense global momentum for the company, which recently saw successful market entries in Missouri, Brazil, and the UAE.
Xpoint’s advanced, adaptable platform is built uniquely for the gaming industry and uses the latest geofencing technology to offer precision location accuracy. By utilizing sophisticated data points, the system effectively prevents fraudulent players from making wagers outside of legal jurisdictions and highlights suspicious activity in real-time.
The platform has been supported by a recent investment round, dedicated to accelerating growth and enabling further differentiation from competitors through continuous product enhancement.
Manu Gambhir, CEO of Xpoint, said: “Securing our license in Massachusetts is a vital step as we continue to make strides in the geolocation space. Massachusetts has a passionate sports culture and a sophisticated regulatory framework, and we are excited to provide the precision technology necessary to maintain the integrity of the state’s sports betting ecosystem.
“Our growth into the Bay State demonstrates our team’s ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes quickly and efficiently. This expansion underscores the global demand for more innovative and adaptable compliance solutions, and we remain committed to being the most reliable partner for regulated operators worldwide.”
The post Xpoint gains Massachusetts vendor license as North American expansion accelerates appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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