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.”
Arnold Ash, the executive recruitment and advisory specialist, has become sponsor of the Arthurian League’s US Tour, culminating in the inaugural Transatlantic Cup – a prestigious fixture between title-winning English and American amateur sides.
Marking 250 years of US independence, the game is scheduled during the 2026 World Cup, taking place on Friday 26 June in Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence.
US amateur champions West Chester United SC are holders of the 2025 US Adult Soccer Association (USASA) National Amateur Cup. They will host a side representing England’s Arthurian League, which won the 2024 FA Inter-League Cup and features some of the oldest football clubs ever, including former FA Cup winners Old Etonians and Old Carthusians.
Arnold Ash’s logo will appear on the front of the Arthurian side’s white and red England kit. As the team’s headline partner the deal covers the travelling squad’s full 12-day tour with additional matches against New York Athletic Club and Boston Bolts.
The multi award-winning executive recruitment and advisory firm will also benefit from in-stadium branding at the ticketed match at Drexel University’s Vidal Athletic Complex, as well as on the historic event’s online and social channels.
The sponsorship builds on a relationship that saw Arnold Ash sponsor the Arthurian League representative team at the UEFA Regions Cup 2024. Its commitment to grassroots sport and emerging talent has seen the company support a number of charities, including Gloves and Doves, which helps promote unity and coexistence in Israel and the Middle East through the sport of boxing, and sponsor and support rising star boxer ‘Razor Ali’, an Iranian refugee based in London.
Jon Arnold, CEO at Arnold Ash, said: “Arnold Ash has been a proud sponsor of the Arthurian League representative sides at major events before, but it doesn’t get any bigger than this. The team is hugely talented, made up of the top amateur players England has to offer and – as the best-of-the-best – reflect the Arnold Ash core principles of quality, experience and consistency.
“The World Cup is now underway, but for the next five weeks, the Transatlantic Cup is where the real action is at! We wish both England teams the best of luck stateside!”
Billy Jenkins, Manager of the Arthurian League representative team, said: “Arnold Ash’s sponsorship is hugely valuable to our team, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued backing of grassroots football.
“We are honoured to participate in the first-ever Transatlantic Cup and just like England’s professional team hope to be lifting prestigious silverware on US soil in the coming weeks.”
The Transatlantic Cup takes place at 7.30pm on Friday 26 June, 2026 at Drexel University, Philadelphia. Tickets cost $15 and are available at www.wcp.flicket.io.
The post Arnold Ash sponsors Arthurian League’s 2026 US Tour appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Supplier deal brings instant-win, crash, table games and cinematic slots to operators across QTech’s emerging-markets network.
QTech has signed a new supplier partnership with Phantom, adding the studio’s catalogue of instant-win, crash and “cinematic slots” content to QTech’s aggregation platform.
QTech said the integration expands its content offering for operators in emerging markets, positioning Phantom’s games alongside other suppliers on its platform. The company also framed the addition as a fit for mobile-first audiences and shorter play sessions.
According to the companies, Phantom’s games are designed to be lightweight and fast-loading—an approach aimed at markets where handset performance, network speeds and data costs can affect gameplay, including parts of Africa and Latin America.
QTech CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “We’re dedicated to rolling out more and more high-class content and product innovation that drives revenue for our partners. So, this deal with Phantom extends our impressive sequential pipeline for 2026, and underlines our ability to deliver tailored content solutions for local markets, particularly in regions where lightweight, fast-loading games are key to player engagement.”
Natalie Pierce, Head of Marketing at Phantom, added: “At Phantom we create out-of-the-box gaming content designed for specific markets, player groups, and unique experiences to push the boundaries of casino content. We specialize in fast-paced, original casino games that bring instant excitement and big wins, crash, mines, dice, limbo, plinko, and more. QTech’s aggregation platform is a renowned gateway to new audiences worldwide, and we can’t wait to see how our highly engaging games perform across a largely untouched swathe of emerging markets for Phantom.”
The post QTech adds Phantom content to its aggregation platform appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Kick and TikTok stream runs June 11–July 19, covering 15,000 miles and promoting fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK.
Paysafe (NYSE: PSFE) and its digital wallet Skrill are sponsoring a 39-day US “In A State” soccer road trip led by creators Woody & Kleiny, with live coverage starting June 11 from Jacksonville. The tour is set to run 15,000 miles and stream 24/7 on Kick and TikTok.
Paysafe said the tour will include creator-led content and in-person activations designed to spotlight payment processing for local merchants—such as bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers—along the route. The company is positioning its merchant acquiring and POS-related offerings alongside Skrill consumer wallet use cases during match-day and fan events.
The trip also includes fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK, with donations directed to the official Woody & Kleiny GoFundMe page. The press release notes prostate cancer is “now the most common cancer in the U.K. and the only major cancer without a screening program.”
“This tour puts Paysafe and Skrill at the heart of the action, powering the moments that matter most,” said Alisa Barber, Chief Marketing Officer at Paysafe. “Woody & Kleiny have an extraordinary ability to turn everyday life into must-watch content and combining that with our technology demonstrates how seamless payments can lift every experience.”
Stops listed include Los Angeles (June 12), Arlington, TX (June 17), Boston (June 23) and East Rutherford, NJ (June 25 and 27), with additional cities planned as the tournament progresses. Paysafe said the livestream will be supported by daily YouTube recaps and short-form social content.
The post Paysafe and Skrill sponsor Woody & Kleiny’s 39-day US soccer road trip livestream appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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