Press Releases

UK Gambling Commission guidance in light of COVID-19 outbreak

Published

6 years ago

March 20, 2020

As the situation with COVID-19 continues to impact daily life in Great Britain, like many of you, the Commission is following Public Health England guidance and we have told all staff to work from home until further notice.

We recognise these unprecedented circumstances will be having a significant impact on businesses and many will be facing uncertain and unsettling times. The Commission has a well-practised and comprehensive Business Continuity Plan, which we have invoked with the intention of minimising the impact on our regulatory work and the advice and services we provide.

A number of operators have already contacted us to alert us to the challenges they face and seek our advice about how to respond. We realise that the unprecedented changes to daily life, and in some cases, financial uncertainty, will create challenges for your business. The changes will also increase the risks to some individuals, which means that despite the fact that these are challenging times we must all continue to protect consumers.

Here you can find information about how the Commission will be operating during this time, along with important reminders about how you should continue to protect consumers.

COVID -19 – A reminder to operators

First and foremost, we expect all our licensees to follow the applicable Public Health guidance. Where facilities for gambling are being offered we expect all our licensees to ensure that they have sufficient management, staffing and oversight in place to maintain compliance with the LCCP that apply to their licences.

Fees and applications

Our expectation remains that licensees ensure the maintenance of sufficient management, staffing and oversight in order to uphold the licensing objectives. Licensees should assess their ability to maintain compliance with the LCCP and consider voluntary partial or full suspension of their offerings should compliance not be achievable and until such time that a fully compliant service can be offered.

Unfortunately, due to the way that our fee system is structured we don’t have the ability to reduce fees.

We are also unable to fast track applications. We will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate any changes to our expectations accordingly.

A reminder specifically for online operators

The social distancing measures that are being put in place will mean that more people will be at home and we would like to remind online operators that they must continue to act responsibly, especially in regards to individual customer affordability and increased social responsibility interactions.

As a reminder, we expect licensees to:

Assess individual affordability on an ongoing basis – customers may be experiencing disrupted income. (Social Responsibility code 3.4 refers to our guidance – ‘Customer interaction- formal guidance for remote gambling operators’ )
Increase social responsibility interactions and intervene where customers are showing signs of gambling related harm
Onboard new customers in a socially responsible way and not exploit the current situation for marketing purposes
Refresh the information they have on customers regularly
Review the levels which trigger interaction for AML and SR
Ensure that your gambling products have been tested by a test house before they are released to the market.

Source: UKGC

Related Topics:COVID-19 UK Gambling Commission UKGC

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Baccarat

Microgaming Live launches All-In Speed Baccarat with new interactive features

Published

15 minutes ago

July 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

microgaming-live-launches-all-in-speed-baccarat-with-new-interactive-features

Microgaming Live has launched All-In Speed Baccarat, a new live casino table that went live on 17 June. The product is positioned as an update to Speed Baccarat, adding new interactive and visual elements alongside the faster gameplay format.

The table uses a modern neon studio design intended to stand out in the lobby. Microgaming Live said it has also added engagement tools to make the experience feel more responsive during play.

New features include a mascot, Tokki, which reacts in real time to outcomes as well as Good Roads and Dragon Tail events. Players can use sticker reactions during gameplay and send gifts to presenters.

The table also introduces Mystery Box Rounds, which the company said allow players to earn points and unlock stickers and gifts.

A Microgaming spokesperson said: “All-In Speed Baccarat keeps the pace and familiarity that players already enjoy, while adding more energy and ways to engage with the table in real-time. The aim was to make the experience feel more rewarding and more immersive, without losing the speed and simplicity that makes baccarat such an enduring live casino format.”

The post Microgaming Live launches All-In Speed Baccarat with new interactive features appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BOYLE Sports

BOYLE Sports rolls out Touch Bet across Digital Racing Post shop screens

Published

15 minutes ago

July 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

boyle-sports-rolls-out-touch-bet-across-digital-racing-post-shop-screens

BOYLE Sports has launched Touch Bet across its Digital Racing Post Shops estate, adding a new touchscreen betting flow for horse racing customers. The rollout, announced 7th July, 2026, was developed with Spotlight Sports Group and is initially available on an exclusive basis to BOYLE Sports.

Touch Bet lets customers browse race meetings and build a racing bet on Digital Racing Post touchscreens in-shop. Once a bet is created, customers can either take it to the counter to place with staff or complete it in the BOYLE Sports app by scanning a QR code.

Philip Chubb, Retail Commercial Director at BOYLE Sports, said: “Touch Bet is a major step forward for our racing customers and marks a significant milestone in our retail offering. We know customers want more control, more convenience and a smoother experience when placing their bets. With Touch Bet, they can browse, build and place their racing bets in the way that suits them, whether that’s at the counter or through our app.

“We’re especially proud that this is an industry-exclusive launch for BOYLE Sports. It gives our shop customers first access to a new way of betting and shows our continued commitment to investing in better retail and digital experiences.”

Jon Sanders, Head of Retail Development at Spotlight Sports Group, added: “BOYLE Sports’ Touch Bet represents a true first in the retail environment, combining the quality betting experience honed by BOYLE Sports with the premium Racing Post content presented on the Digital Display Screens. BOYLE Sports are the ideal partner to work alongside in developing and launching the product.. By bringing the trusted expertise behind Racing Post onto the shop floor, we are giving customers a more intuitive and efficient way to build and place their bets. Retail remains a vital part of the betting experience, and we are proud to support BOYLE Sports as they continue to connect digital and in-shop betting.”

BOYLE Sports positioned the launch as part of a wider omnichannel strategy and pointed to a £100m investment in the UK market last year. The operator also referenced existing product work including Smart ACCA, described as a data-led accumulator tool across football and horse racing.

The post BOYLE Sports rolls out Touch Bet across Digital Racing Post shop screens appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

game releases

ICONIC21 launches Keno with three risk levels and 1,000x max multiplier

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

iconic21-launches-keno-with-three-risk-levels-and-1,000x-max-multiplier

ICONIC21 has launched Keno, a new lottery-style iGaming title, the supplier said on 7 July 2026.

In the game, players can pick up to 10 numbers and watch a draw to see how many match. ICONIC21 said Keno includes three selectable risk levels — Low, Medium and High — and a maximum multiplier of 1,000x.

For operators, ICONIC21 said the release supports branding options including customisable win and loss assets and a branded multiplier progress bar.

Edvardas Sadovskis, Chief Product Officer at ICONIC21, said: “Keno has endured precisely because it never asked for too much of the player, and that simplicity is exactly what we set out to protect.

“The three risk levels give players real agency over their session, which matters for enjoyment and responsible play alike. It’s a recognisable, low-barrier format with enough customisation built in to make it genuinely an operator’s own.”

The post ICONIC21 launches Keno with three risk levels and 1,000x max multiplier appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.