Press Releases

UK’s Betting and Gaming Council announce new 10 pledge action plan for safer gambling during the Covid-19 crisis

Published

6 years ago

March 30, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the new standards body for betting and gaming which covers betting shops, online betting and gaming businesses and casinos, has announced a new 10 pledge action plan agreed with its regulated member companies, which sets out the standards expected of our members during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

The 10 pledges build on actions and interventions that BGC members do as part of safer gambling operations, however the BGC will now require heightened monitoring, tailored responses and new action to address the unprecedented situation of social distancing and home working. Although overall gambling has fallen dramatically with the absence of sport and due to the closure of betting shop and casino closures, the BGC’s pledges will come into force immediately to help ensure that the highest safeguards are in place and action is taken to protect anyone betting online who may be more vulnerable as a result of the crisis.

The BGC supported the Gambling Commission, who last week demanded increased consumer protection and responsible marketing. The new pledges demonstrate the BGC’s determination to ensure the highest standards are implemented and cover the following areas:

1. Increase safer gambling messages across all sites and direct to all customers
2. Step up interventions if customers increase time and spend beyond normal pre-crisis patterns
3. Actively promote deposit limits
4. Action to ensure appropriate and responsible advertising including monitoring volume
5. Report all illegal, rogue advertising from black market online operators
6. One-strike-and-you’re-out policy where affiliates breach pledges
7. Signpost help to GAMCARE and the National Gambling Helpline and GamStop for self-exclusion
8. Commitment to ensuring funding for Research Education and Treatment (RET)
9. Welfare checks and well-being help for staff
10. Supporting the Government’s ‘National Effort’ with volunteers and facilities

Commenting on the 10 pledges, Michael Dugher, BGC chief executive, said:
“In this time of national crisis, with so many people self-isolating and social distancing at home, it is vital that we do everything possible to ensure safer gambling and to protect potentially vulnerable or at risk people.

“We all know that levels of gambling have plummeted not just because of betting shop or casino closures, but because of the absence of sport, which is also fundamental to online betting. Although gambling levels have dropped during the COVID crisis, our commitment to safer gambling is being stepped up. It is important that we help our customers stay safe and in control of their gambling during these difficult times. That’s why BGC members have developed a 10 pledge action plan that will help govern members throughout this crisis.

“Increasing safer gambling measures with more monitoring and customer interventions, stepping up safer gambling messages and measures like promoting deposit limits, together with a tough crackdown on affiliates and calling out rogue black-market operators, will make a big difference. We are also signposting professional help and are committed to funding Research, Education and Treatment (RET).

“The betting industry supports tens of thousands of jobs up and down the country, and we are equally determined to support the Government’s National Effort through helping with volunteers and facilities”.

Source: BGC

BetMGM

BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Unite to Bring Luxury and Style to iGaming

Published

7 hours ago

January 6, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

betmgm-and-fashiontv-gaming-group-unite-to-bring-luxury-and-style-to-igaming

Partnership brings FashionTV Gaming Group to North America with exclusive branded games

BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, announced a partnership with FashionTV Gaming Group, to launch a portfolio of FashionTV-branded games exclusively on BetMGM Casino platforms. This strategic collaboration brings Fashion TV’s global luxury aesthetic together with BetMGM’s award-winning online casino experience.

“At BetMGM, we have redefined what it means to deliver entertainment in iGaming. By introducing iconic TV and movie titles to iGaming and now partnering with FashionTV Gaming Group, we’re creating experiences that go beyond gameplay and connect players to the brands they love,” said Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming at BetMGM.

Moshe Cohen, Founder & President of FashionTV Gaming Group, said, “We are proud to bring FashionTV’s luxury lifestyle universe to the heart of online gaming in North America. BetMGM’s leadership and scale make them the perfect partner to transform our vision into a North American success story.”

FashionTV-branded table games offer players an immersive, high-gloss experience that merges casino action with the style, sophistication, and global prestige of FashionTV. FashionTV Blackjack and FashionTV Roulette are now available to play at BetMGM Casino in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and will be available in all jurisdictions where BetMGM Casino is live soon. Additional titles will be released throughout 2026.

FashionTV, broadcast in over 200 countries and reaching billions of viewers worldwide, stands as the definitive voice of global luxury. With unmatched reach across television, digital, and social media, FashionTV continues to captivate audiences through its celebration of fashion, travel, and high-society entertainment.

BetMGM’s award-winning online casino is home to over 5,400 titles across North American markets and one of the largest state-by-state exclusive progressive jackpot networks. BetMGM’s jackpot network currently consists of over 25 games including popular titles such as MGM Grand Millions, Bison Fury, and 15 Lanterns. Players can earn BetMGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits by playing at BetMGM Casino. BetMGM Rewards points can be redeemed for digital bonuses, MGM Rewards Points, and Marriott Bonvoy Points.

As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduce new features, responsible gaming remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM’s mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM’s already existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.

The post BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Unite to Bring Luxury and Style to iGaming appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

California

CGCC Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting: Jan 20, 2026

Published

9 hours ago

January 6, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

cgcc-gaming-policy-advisory-committee-(gpac)-meeting:-jan-20,-2026

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) has scheduled a meeting of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The committee is established under Business and Professions Code Section 19817 to provide advisory recommendations to the Commission on regulatory policy, with a specific focus on integrity and problem gambling.

Meeting Attendance Information

The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and remote participation.

In-Person Location: 2399 Gateway Oaks Drive, Hearing Room 100, Sacramento, CA 95833.
Virtual Access: Zoom Meeting Link
Phone Access: 1-888-475-4499 (Toll-free) | Meeting ID: 285 757 8614

Key Agenda Items

The agenda focuses on internal governance, regulatory controls for third-party providers, and administrative updates:

GPAC Roles and Responsibilities: A review of the mission statement, adherence to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and expectations for member conduct and responsiveness.
Current Projects: Update and discussion on Third-Party Providers of Proposition Player Services (TPPPS) – Internal Controls, led by subcommittee members Kirill Yermanov and Michael Hill.
New Discussion Items:
- Third-Party Provider Employee Table Coverage.
- Procedures for Lost or Damaged Employee Badges.
Administrative Updates: An update on the Category G vacancy (Public Member with accounting/business background).

2026 Committee Composition

The committee consists of 10 members (expanding to 12 if pending legislation like AB 77 is finalized), split equally between the cardroom industry and the public.

Member Name	Category / Role	Term Expiry
Trevor Dewar	Category A (Bureau of Gambling Control)	12/31/2026
Sosha Marasigan-Quintero	Category B (Problem Gambling/Addiction)	12/31/2026
Michael Hill	Category C (TPPPS Representative)	12/31/2027
David Fried	Category D (Cardroom with 25+ Tables)	12/31/2026
Michael Koniski	Industry Representative	—
Emmanuel Macalino	Industry Representative	—
Linda Ng	Public Representative	—
John Stacy	Industry Representative	—
Kirill Yermanov	Public Representative	—

Advisors: Lisa Wardall (Executive Director) and Jason Pope (Chief Counsel).

The post CGCC Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting: Jan 20, 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Alexander Stevendahl

Immense Group and Coast is Clear: A Three-Year Commitment to a Greener Malta

Published

10 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

immense-group-and-coast-is-clear:-a-three-year-commitment-to-a-greener-malta

Immense Group, the corporate powerhouse behind leading iGaming brands Mr Vegas, Videoslots, and DBET, has reaffirmed its dedication to environmental sustainability by extending its partnership with the Maltese NGO Coast is Clear.

Marking their third consecutive year of collaboration, the initiative highlights Immense Group’s transition from corporate sponsorship to active, community-led participation. Unlike traditional CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) models that focus on one-off donations, this partnership is built on the principle of ongoing stewardship.

Practical Action for the Maltese Coastline

Malta’s unique coastal ecosystem faces significant pressure from plastic pollution and urban development. Coast is Clear, founded by Mark Galea Pace, specializes in “practical environmentalism”—relying on a dedicated truck and a personal family boat to access areas of the island that are otherwise unreachable by land.

The 2026 roadmap for the partnership includes a structured schedule of events designed to provide both immediate and long-term ecological benefits:

Beach Clean-ups: Two major coastal operations are planned for the first half of the year, focusing on removing microplastics and “ghost nets” from sensitive marine habitats.
Tree Planting: Two afforestation initiatives will see staff volunteers planting indigenous Maltese trees, contributing to the NGO’s goal of exceeding 1,000 trees planted across local valleys and nature reserves.

Leadership Perspectives on Community Impact

For Immense Group, the initiative is a way to give back to the island that serves as a primary operational hub for its global workforce.

“Malta is home to many of our people,” said Alexander Stevendahl, CEO of Immense Group. “Encouraging our teams to take part in initiatives like beach clean-ups and tree planting is a practical way to contribute to the communities we’re part of. It reflects a shared commitment to keeping Malta cleaner and greener over the long term.”

Mark Galea, Founder of Coast is Clear, emphasized the value of long-term corporate allies: “Support from companies like Immense Group helps us keep our work going. Having people turn up, get involved, and stick with us over time makes a real difference when it comes to protecting Malta’s coastline.”

The post Immense Group and Coast is Clear: A Three-Year Commitment to a Greener Malta appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.