Press Releases
UK’s NAO – Gambling regulation: problem gambling and protecting vulnerable people
The UK Gambling Commission and government need to do more to ensure that regulation can protect gamblers effectively, according to a new NAO report.
There are an estimated 1.8 million ‘at risk’ gamblers and 395,000 ‘problem’ gamblers – including 55,000 children, some of whom are as young as 11.1
Gambling addiction can lead to mental health problems, relationship difficulties, large-scale financial loss and, in some cases, crime or suicide.
The NAO’s report looks at regulation of an industry which now yields over £11.3 billion2 for gambling operators every year. The Gambling Commission3, which regulates the industry, has annual funding of £19 million and almost all of it comes from licence fees paid by gambling operators. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) is the government department with overall responsibility for gambling policy and regulation.
The report concludes that while the Commission has improved regulation, there is much more it should do. It has increased enforcement against gambling operators that break rules, for example by revoking licences, and has also strengthened its rule book.4 But it needs to do more to incentivise operators to raise standards and be more systematic and detailed in recording and analysing information about gamblers to plug gaps in its knowledge.
Even if the Commission makes these improvements, it is a small body that is unlikely to be fully effective in regulating a challenging and fast-changing industry within the current system. Gambling regulation does not have features seen in other sectors, such as an ombudsman, and the way it is funded is not flexible meaning the Commission cannot change licence fees to respond to new risks emerging quickly from changes in technology and demand.
The report’s recommendations include that the Commission and DCMS should:
Be more strategic about getting gambling companies to better protect people. This could include incentivising companies to do more to make gambling safer beyond meeting minimum requirements
Ensure gamblers are aware of services to resolve disputes, and review whether these arrangements are working effectively.
Review how regulation is funded so they can keep pace with a fast-changing industry.
“Licensed gambling has grown by 57 per cent – £4.1 billion – over the last decade mainly due to a massive increase in online and smartphone gambling. The risks to gamblers are changing as technologies develop.
“Yet the Gambling Commission is a small regulator in a huge and fast-evolving industry. While the Commission has made improvements, gambling regulation lags behind the industry. The Commission and government need to work together to ensure that regulation keeps pace with the risk to gamblers.” – Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO.
Industry Awards
Soft2Bet’s Betinia shortlisted in five categories of the EGR Marketing and Innovation Awards
Nominations in five categories of the EGR Marketing and Innovation Awards is further recognition of Soft2Bet’s cutting-edge gamification solutions and innovative approach.
Soft2Bet, a leading provider of iGaming turnkey solutions, is delighted to announce that Betinia, its renowned brand in Denmark and Sweden, has been shortlisted in five categories of the EGR Marketing and Innovation Awards 2024.
The nominations are recognition of the incredible work that has been achieved by the Betinia team in two of Europe’s most competitive and regulated markets.
Betinia’s shortlisting in the following categories:
- Best Native App,
- CRM Campaign,
- Innovation in Sports Betting,
- Innovation of The Year,
- Responsible Gambling Marketing Campaign of the Year, demonstrates how it has grown into being one of the most innovative and progressive operators in the industry.
Soft2Bet was recognised in February when its Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA) gamification solution won the Innovation of the Year at the EGR Nordics Awards and it is delighted to see its achievements gain further recognition with these shortlist nominations.
Oksana Tsyhankova, CMO of Soft2Bet, commented: “Being shortlisted in five categories is a great achievement and huge credit goes to our technical, product and marketing teams. Betinia’s success in two of Europe’s most competitive and regulated markets is also highly satisfying because it showcases our B2C expertise in driving engagement, retention and revenues.”
The post Soft2Bet’s Betinia shortlisted in five categories of the EGR Marketing and Innovation Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
In response to the recent and devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul, which have displaced over 100,000 people and severely affected 70% of the state’s municipalities, Betmotion, through its Corporate Social Responsibility project, BetSocial, is mobilising efforts to assist the victims of this catastrophe.
BetSocial has launched an initiative to support the actions of the NGOs Ação da Cidadania and CUFA, which are leading the charge in providing immediate aid to the impacted communities. At this critical moment, BetSocial is reinforcing the call for everyone to unite in solidarity and make donations that will be crucial for reconstructing affected lives.
“The tragedy that has struck Rio Grande do Sul requires a swift and coordinated response. At Betmotion, we believe in the power of solidarity and in our community’s ability to make a difference in times of need,” states Bianca Passos, founding member of BetSocial. “Every contribution, no matter how small, has a significant impact on the lives of those facing such difficult days.”
To facilitate donations, BetSocial has provided information on how to make contributions via PIX to the two partner organisations:
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Ação da Cidadania: [email protected]
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CUFA: [email protected]
Betmotion and BetSocial thank you in advance for your support and solidarity. They reiterate their commitment to work to alleviate the hardships faced by this catastrophe’s victims and continue promoting significant social impact actions.
Latest News
PA Betting Services and Liderform forge strategic partnership to elevate racing content for Turkish audiences
PA Betting Services (PABS) are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Liderform, the premier specialist racing form publication in Turkey. This multi-year agreement marks a significant milestone in the evolution of international racing, as Liderform integrates PABS’s pre-race stats and tipping from nine prominent racing regions into their own tipping product. The collaboration aims to enhance the quality of international racing coverage, offering Turkish audiences access to top-tier insights and analysis as they engage with racing through approved Tote partners.
With this alliance, Liderform solidifies its commitment to delivering unparalleled racing content to its customers, leveraging PABS’s expertise in pre-race analysis and tipping to augment their existing offerings. By incorporating PABS’s comprehensive data and insights, Liderform seeks to enrich the experience of Turkish racing enthusiasts and foster a deeper engagement with unparalleled insights and analysis across international racing events.
Richard Duncan, Head of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships at PABS, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This partnership with Liderform presents an opportunity to promote PABS’s pre-race tipping and statistical content, which has a proven track record of success in domestic markets, to new international audiences. We couldn’t be more excited to work with Liderform to enhance their market-leading form products.”
The collaboration between Liderform and PABS represents a strategic alignment of two industry leaders, each renowned for their commitment to excellence in racing content. Murat Akyer, CEO of Liderform, emphasised the significance of the partnership, stating, “The breadth and quality of pre-race international form, stats, and tipping content made PABS the obvious choice to enhance our leading form solution. This collaboration not only enhances Liderform’s position as the leading Turkish provider of racing form solutions but also underscores our dedication to innovation and delivering value to our audience.”
The post PA Betting Services and Liderform forge strategic partnership to elevate racing content for Turkish audiences appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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