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.”
PointsBet Canada has now launched its new casino aggregation and bonusing platform with Bede Gaming, following a competitive selection process.
The new solution through Bede Gaming has now been successfully launched into the live PointsBet Canada player environment, enabling an expansive library of new, engaging content for its users. The open-API aggregation platform notably provides the operator with access to a robust casino catalogue that includes Games Global, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, Light & Wonder, and others.
This partnership will strengthen PointsBet Canada’s casino strategy by enabling more competitive player acquisition and improved long-term retention through an enhanced user experience. Bede’s comprehensive content catalogue and engagement toolkit offer greater configurability and flexibility in promotion management, advanced campaign workflows, and automated player lifecycle segmentation.
Bede will also deliver operational stability and efficiency through proven support processes, a reliable infrastructure with 99.99% uptime, and 24/7 monitoring from its Network Operations Centre.
“Our strategy emphasizes delivering outstanding digital content that creates exceptional player engagement,” said Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer of PointsBet Canada. “I’m excited by the innovative tools we now have available with Bede. This partnership positions us strongly in Ontario and prepares us for future growth across additional Canadian markets.”
In addition to Bede powering PointsBet’s iCasino offering in Ontario, the new multi-year agreement expands Bede’s international portfolio and establishes a shared roadmap for future provincial launches, including Alberta, as new regulated markets emerge in Canada.
“We are thrilled to partner with the PointsBet Canada team, and eager to support their ambitious goals in Canada,” said Colin Cole-Johnson, Bede Chief Executive Officer. “Our Partnership Model means that we mobilise to support the strategies of our customers, and we’re thrilled to already be demonstrating this through the successful launch of this new casino solution. Bede remains committed to providing stable, secure and pioneering technical solutions to the North American regulated gaming markets.”
The post PointsBet Canada and Bede Gaming Launch New iCasino Partnership appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
HIPTHER has officially released the full agenda for HIPTHER Baltics: Riga 2026, taking place on 11 May 2026 at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, setting the stage for one of the region’s most focused and practically relevant gatherings at the intersection of compliance, fintech, AI, and player protection.
As the second stop in the HIPTHER Baltics 2026 series, the Riga edition builds on the momentum of Vilnius and sharpens the conversation around what comes next: operating, scaling, and staying compliant in an increasingly complex and tightly regulated environment.
Latvia 2026: Regulation, Risk & Innovation in Motion
The Riga agenda is designed around a simple reality: in today’s market, compliance is no longer a checkbox — it’s the foundation of sustainable growth.
Bringing together regulators, legal experts, fintech leaders, operators, and technology innovators, the one-day conference delivers a high-impact program across two parallel stages:
- Compliance & Operations Lab
- TechXperience Stage
Together, they explore how businesses can remain competitive while navigating regulatory pressure, technological disruption, and shifting market expectations.
From Theory to Practice: What the Agenda Delivers
Across a tightly curated schedule, HIPTHER Baltics: Riga 2026 dives into the real operational challenges shaping the Baltic and wider European ecosystem.
Key sessions include:
- Baltic Gaming Law & Regulatory Outlook – A grounded look at regional frameworks and enforcement realities
- FinTech Supervision in Practice: AI, Risk & Regulation – Moving beyond buzzwords into actual implementation
- Player Protection in Practice – What responsible gaming looks like in real-world operations
- AML Directives & Data Protection – Practical compliance strategies that actually work
- Cross-Border Licensing & Regulatory Harmonization – Navigating multi-jurisdictional complexity
- Fraud Prevention & Emerging Technologies – Staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats
- Marketing, Affiliates & Growth in Regulated Markets – How to grow when visibility is restricted
- Payments, Digital Assets & Fintech Innovation – Building resilient financial infrastructure
The agenda also addresses one of the most pressing shifts in digital strategy:
- From SEO to AIEO – The transition from ranking websites to becoming the direct answer in AI-driven search environments
Four Core Pillars Defining Riga 2026
The conference is structured around four key pillars shaping the future of regulated industries:
- Gaming Law & Player Protection – The leading theme: Enforcement, licensing, fraud prevention, and responsible gaming
- FinTech & Payments – Supervision, digital assets, and financial infrastructure
- AI & Compliance – Automation, risk, taxation, and operational workflows
- Growth & Visibility – Market intelligence, affiliates, SEO, and AI-era discoverability
A Boutique Conference Built for Real Conversations
HIPTHER Baltics: Riga continues the series’ commitment to focused, high-level dialogue in a boutique environment, prioritizing meaningful interaction over mass-expo noise.
Attendees can expect:
- Senior-level panels with regulators and industry leaders
- Practical, implementation-driven discussions
- Curated networking with decision-makers across gaming, fintech, and compliance
- A full-day experience culminating in a Golden Hour Mixer and evening social gathering at the Skyline Bar
Part of a Larger Baltic Vision
HIPTHER Baltics 2026 spans three key cities — Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn — each designed to address locally relevant challenges while contributing to a broader regional dialogue on regulation, innovation, and growth.
“This agenda was built for companies that understand growth today depends on getting compliance, technology, and player protection right at the same time. We’re bringing together decision-makers who want honest conversations, practical insights, and partnerships that actually move business forward“ said Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER.
Event Details
HIPTHER Baltics: Riga 2026 – Cross-Border Compliance & Player Protection
Date: 11 May 2026
Location: Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga
More information & tickets: https://hipther.com/events/riga/
The post HIPTHER Baltics: Riga 2026 Agenda – Where Compliance Meets Reality and Growth Gets Tested appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Conferences
Blokotech and Evoverse sponsor iGaming Real Talk video series from BiS SiGMA South America
Blokotech and Evoverse have joined as Presenting Sponsors of iGaming Real Talk’s latest content series recorded live at BiS SiGMA South America in Brazil, the companies said.
According to iGaming Real Talk, the partnership covers the full series, which includes 11 long-form interviews and more than 30 short-form video clips filmed from the expo floor. The Brazil edition focused on the LatAm iGaming market, with iGaming Real Talk pointing to the region’s rapid evolution since regulation.
The company said the series includes interviews with senior executives and founders such as Heathcliff Farrugia (SiGMA World), Miranda Guliashvili (SOFTSWISS) and Dominic Sawyer (TEQUITY), among others.
Surya Palli, Founder of iGaming Real Talk, said: “BiS SiGMA South America has quickly become a key meeting point for the LatAm iGaming ecosystem. Partnering with Blokotech and Evoverse allows us to scale the reach of these conversations and continue building a platform that showcases real insights from across the industry.”
iGaming Real Talk said the Brazil edition is part of its Real Roadshow 2026 series, following a prior stop at AIBC Eurasia Dubai. As Presenting Sponsors, Blokotech and Evoverse will receive brand visibility across YouTube interviews, social video distribution, and iGaming Real Talk’s media and community channels.
The post Blokotech and Evoverse sponsor iGaming Real Talk video series from BiS SiGMA South America appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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