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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.

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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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Casino Guru Launches “Safer Gambling Talks” Webinar Series with Šimon Vincze

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Casino Guru, the world’s premier independent online casino resource, proudly announces the launch of its new webinar series, “Safer Gambling Talks.” This innovative series aims to delve into the critical aspects of safer gambling within the industry, addressing jurisdictional nuances and universal consumer protection standards.

“Safer Gambling Talks” is dedicated to fostering a highly responsible gambling environment by engaging with experts and industry leaders. The series will explore various topics, focusing on creating a more sustainable and commercially viable gambling industry that prioritizes player protection.

In the premiere episode, Šimon Vincze, Casino Guru’s Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling, engages in an insightful discussion with Dr. Margaret Carran, Associate Professor in Law and Associate Dean (Education) at The City Law School of City, University of London. The conversation centers on improving self-exclusion practices within the gambling industry, aiming to enhance player protection across different markets. The episode is available on Casino Guru News YouTube channel.

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Šimon Vincze, a staunch advocate for responsible gambling, leads Casino Guru’s efforts in sustainable and safer gambling. He spearheads the Global Self-Exclusion Initiative, driving forward best practices in player protection and operator responsibility. Recognizing gaps in existing tools, Šimon is committed to ensuring a safer gambling environment for all.

The post Casino Guru Launches “Safer Gambling Talks” Webinar Series with Šimon Vincze appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Africa

BGaming debuts in Africa with Premier Bet

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Popular iGaming content provider BGaming has signed a multi-brand content deal with African licenced operator Premier Bet, marking another major market entry.

Through this new collaboration, BGaming has delivered a selection of its games to Premier Bet’s platform. Titles such as Fruit Million, Wild Cash X9990, Bonanza Billion, Aztec Clusters and Merge Up are all available to the operator’s registered players across several African markets.

Premier Bet dates back to 1997 and currently operates in 17 countries on the continent. It is one of Africa’s biggest betting companies, offering gaming and business opportunities to people across the west, east, centre and south of the continent.

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Africa has always been an epicenter for innovation and resilience, and one industry exemplifying its dynamism in recent years is gambling. This latest market expansion demonstrates BGaming’s exponential global growth and lays the foundations for further success in the thriving region.

Olga Levshina, CCO at BGaming, said: “BGaming continues to penetrate international iGaming markets, with its fresh approach to online casino proving a hit with a wide demographic of players. With this partnership, we have added some of our most appealing titles to Premier Bet’s games line-up as it seeks to expand its player base.”

Karen Hope, Director of Casino at Premier Bet, added: “We are pleased to partner with BGaming to drive this next phase of Premier Bet’s development across several key African markets. The studio’s vibrant games add variety to our casino games collection.”

 

BGaming is a fast-growing iGaming content provider converting gambling into gaming. Thanks to an expert team and a player-driven approach, the studio creates innovative and engaging products featured on reputable platforms and 1,100+ online casinos worldwide. BGaming is the world’s first to support cryptocurrencies and offer Provably Fair games. Today the brand’s portfolio includes 150+ products with HD graphics and a clear user interface for every device. The studio is also known for its brand exclusives created in partnerships with leading operators in the industry.

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The post BGaming debuts in Africa with Premier Bet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

Playnetic strengthens European presence with licence to operate in Sweden

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Playnetic, the new immersive B2B iGaming provider has announced that it has been granted a Swedish licence, following regulatory approval from the Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen. 

The licence allows Playnetic to launch its catalogue of innovative iGaming titles in Sweden, enabling the company to finalise partnerships with prominent operators across the country. 

This significant milestone marks a major step forward in supporting Playnetic’s ambitious growth plans, which include increasing its foothold in other European markets, as well as continued expansion in regulated markets across the globe. 

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Dan Phillips, Playnetic CEO said: “Since launching in early 2023, Playnetic has been exploring expansion opportunities in Europe to penetrate new markets and we are thrilled with achieving this milestone.  

“Thanks to our experienced compliance team, we were able to obtain this licence promptly, which is a huge positive as the market entry lines up perfectly with our regulatory roadmap for 2024. We are looking forward to launching our innovative suite of games which feature captivating themes and mechanics to players and operators in Sweden.” 

The post Playnetic strengthens European presence with licence to operate in Sweden appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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