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

BETER

BETER reaches ninth US state with the acquisition of a Kentucky license

Published

20 hours ago

June 5, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

beter-reaches-ninth-us-state-with-the-acquisition-of-a-kentucky-license

BETER, the award-winning provider of live streams, live data, and odds for esports and sports, has further strengthened its US presence after its exclusive Setka Cup table tennis and ESportsBattle content was added to the Sports Wagering catalog and licensed in the State of Kentucky.

The approval and license were granted by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming (KHRG), the independent municipal corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth responsible for regulating horse racing, pari-mutuel wagering, sports wagering, breed integrity and development, and charitable gaming in the state.

Kentucky is the ninth US state where BETER’s exclusive content is now available, joining Florida, New Jersey, Colorado, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, and Illinois.

The approval allows BETER to supply operators in Kentucky with live data and live streams from both its Setka Cup table tennis and ESportsBattle tournaments for the first time.

All content is already live for local bettors via bet365, BETER’s long-standing operator partner, reinforcing the demand for fast-paced betting content from operators in the space.

BETER exclusively delivers 24/7 live streaming, real-time data, and hyper-accurate odds for more than 700,000 fast-paced esports and sports events annually to operators worldwide. The company offers up to 50 markets per event and helps operators achieve an average margin of 7.5%+. Its esports portfolio includes ESportsBattle, featuring eFootball, eBasketball, eHockey, and eTennis, while its sports portfolio includes Setka Cup table tennis and the BSKT Cup basketball league.

All of BETER’s exclusive content is underpinned by its Integrity team, ensuring strict adherence to fair play standards through 24/7 monitoring and close collaboration with key sports integrity bodies, including IBIA and ESIC, as well as sports federations.

Chuck Robinson, CRO at BETER, said: “Kentucky is a state with a deep sporting heritage, and we’re excited to bring our exclusive Setka Cup and ESportsBattle content to operators and bettors there. Reaching nine US states is an important milestone that reflects the growing appetite for fast-betting content across the country.

“The US market is evolving rapidly, and players are increasingly seeking round-the-clock, high-quality betting experiences. BETER is built to meet that demand, and each new state we enter strengthens our position as the go-to provider of fast-betting content worldwide.”

Valeriia Tarchynska, Chief Legal Officer at BETER, added: “Receiving both approval and license is the result of sustained and meticulous regulatory and compliance work by our team. The US licensing landscape is uniquely complex, with each state operating under its own distinct framework, and we take great pride in meeting those requirements wherever we operate.

“With nine states now approved, the US continues to be a cornerstone of BETER’s global strategy. We are actively pursuing approvals in additional key states and remain fully committed to expanding our footprint across the country and beyond.”

The post BETER reaches ninth US state with the acquisition of a Kentucky license appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Booming Games

Booming Games releases Sacred Buffalo

Published

22 hours ago

June 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

Booming Games, a leading provider of premium gaming content, has today launched Sacred Buffalo, the latest addition to its popular series of buffalo games. Boasting a 5×4 grid with 30 fixed paylines, the game offers a maximum win potential of 8,000x. It contains a powerful Cash Collect feature and Free Spins with Minor Elimination, Major Upgrade and Sacred Spin features to enhance the gameplay experience.

In the base game, landing Coin and Scatter symbols are collected into the Buffalo Totems, with the Wooden Totem triggering the Cash Collect feature and the Golden Totem triggering Free Spins. Coins can land reels 1-4 and carry awards from 1x-50x. Landing a Collect symbol on reel 5 along with coins will collect all coins in view and award to the player.

Three Bonus symbols landing on reels 1, 3 and 5 will award 15 Free Spins. In the bonus game, when Minor symbols form a win, they are eliminated and removed from the reels, triggering a symbols cascade.

Additionally, Major symbols that form a win will be upgraded to their Spirit form and enhance and double their win value. All Wilds that land will be collected and stored for the Sacred Spin at the end of Free Spins. At this point, the collected Wilds are added to the reels for a huge big win potential finale.

At any time, players can purchase the Buy Bonus for 75x the bet amount.

Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, said: “Our Buffalo games have been among our best performers, and we are delighted to be adding a new game to the series. Sacred Buffalo combines innovative features with a large win potential, and is the latest example of our efforts to bring new mechanics into our games to maintain high levels of player engagement.”

The post Booming Games releases Sacred Buffalo appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

Bettormetrics publishes World Cup trading benchmark; Tipico leads uptime ranking

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

bettormetrics-publishes-world-cup-trading-benchmark;-tipico-leads-uptime-ranking

Study of 1,752 Big 5 league matches finds a 12-point uptime gap; live World Cup leaderboard to run during the tournament.

Bettormetrics has launched what it calls the first World Cup Trading Performance Benchmark, ranking sportsbooks on in-play market uptime ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The sports odds intelligence firm said it will publish a live World Cup leaderboard on its website during the tournament to track trading performance.

The benchmark measures operator uptime on the Total Goals market across 1,752 fixtures in the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1. Bettormetrics analysed 22 operators and published a Top 10, reporting a gap of more than 12 percentage points between the highest and lowest performers.

Tipico ranked first overall with 95.9% uptime, followed by Fanatics (95.3%) and Betsson (94.9%). Superbet (94.8%) and Betano (94.7%) rounded out the top five. Bettormetrics said Premier League fixtures generally delivered the highest availability across operators, while La Liga was “the key differentiator” and “consistently produced the lowest availability figures across the field.”

The results also highlighted regional shifts. Bettormetrics noted that none of bet365, William Hill, Ladbrokes or Paddy Power made the Top 10, while Fanatics placed second overall as the highest-ranked US operator. It also flagged Pinnacle and SBOBET as ranking poorly on in-play availability in this analysis despite “strong reputations for pregame pricing and market depth.”

Sabin Brooks, CEO of Bettormetrics, said: “The World Cup represents one of the highest-risk and highest-opportunity periods in the sportsbook calendar. Small differences in uptime, trading performance and market availability can have a material impact on turnover, profitability and even reputation.

“The World Cup leaderboard will answer one simple question: which sportsbook performed best when it matters most?”

The post Bettormetrics publishes World Cup trading benchmark; Tipico leads uptime ranking appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.