Press Releases
Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling publishes literature review
An academic literature review has revealed a dearth of knowledge worldwide about the links between crime and problem gambling – so the Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling is to embark on a new research programme.
The Commission, set up by the Howard League for Penal Reform, began looking into the issue last year and carried out a literature review, which was published on Monday, 1st of June. The review found that, while millions of people are affected by gambling either directly or indirectly, there appear to be fewer than 50 peer-reviewed papers in the last 25 years that address the links between problem gambling and crime specifically.
In response, the Commission intends to conduct its own research, in three strands: the first project will look at the prevalence of gambling-related crime; the second will consider the lived experience of people caught up in the system; and the third will explore sentencers’ awareness of the issue.
Chaired by Lord Goldsmith QC, the Commission seeks to establish what the links between problem gambling and crime are; what impact they have on communities and wider society; and what steps could be taken to reduce crime and make people safer.
Lord Goldsmith QC, Chair of the Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling, said: “Concern about harmful gambling activity has been growing for some time, but this is the first commission to focus specifically on the relationship between problem gambling and crime.
“From people getting into debt and defrauding family members or employers, to domestic violence and other crimes relating to gambling-related stress, we know anecdotally that police stations, courts and prisons see significant numbers of cases – but only a handful of academic studies have looked at this across the globe.
“The criminal justice system itself does very little work to capture the scale of the challenge and even less in terms of offering interventions like those we see for alcohol or drug problems. This has to change and our Commission can play a key role in improving the response to disordered gambling and crime.”
The literature review covers jurisdictions including Australasia, the US, Canada, Germany, Scandinavia and the UK. It reveals that, while the overall quantity of research is not huge, there is a consistency in findings across all jurisdictions.
Researchers have found high prevalence rates of people committing crimes to fund their gambling. A wide variety of crimes are committed as a result of gambling addiction; not just ‘white collar’ crimes such as theft and fraud, but also offences that occur in public spaces such as street robbery. There is significant evidence of domestic abuse and child neglect linked to problem and pathological gambling.
Studies have indicated that the more complex, prolonged and persistent a gambling problem is, the more likely it is that a crime will be committed and, indeed, that many crimes may result.
Although there has been a growing understanding that gambling addiction is a behavioural disorder, little of this has been translated to sentencing; problem gambling is not considered to be a mitigating factor in sentencing in the way mental health problems or drug and alcohol addiction are.
Research suggests that, in spite of extremely high rates of gambling addiction among prisoners, prisons offer only limited treatment. There is evidence of resistance to undertaking treatment among prisoners.
Several of the studies reviewed agreed that a custodial sentence, especially when no treatment is available for gambling addiction, was not a cost-effective way of avoiding further harm to the individual or society once the sentence is completed.
A small number of specialised gambling courts have been established in the US, with the aim of ensuring that people with gambling addictions who are in trouble with the law receive appropriate treatment. There is limited data on the success or otherwise of these initiatives.
Research is needed into the potential effect of gambling addiction treatment on the rate of recidivism, as well as more general research on how best to help vulnerable populations avoid the criminal justice system.
The literature review was written by Sarah Ramanauskas, Senior Partner at Gambling Integrity, who sits on the Commission.
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Winter sports fans have a new reason to get excited. The Wildz Group has unveiled a bold and refreshing Winter Sports hub within the Wildz Sports portal, delivering a one-of-a-kind experience for fans of cold-weather competition.
From the high-speed drama of Ice Hockey and Speed Skating to the precision of Curling and Biathlon, the new hub brings together the world’s most thrilling winter disciplines. Ski Jumping, Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country, Luge, Nordic Combined and more are all showcased in one immersive space — alongside a dedicated Winter Sports tournament offering players the chance to win a share of €25,000.
Country-Focused Action with Seamless Betting
Wildz Sports is taking a unique approach by organising winter sporting events by country, allowing players to follow their national heroes all in one place. Whether you’re cheering for Team Canada, Finland, or beyond, fans can track events, enjoy live entertainment, and engage with insightful commentary tailored to their region.
Betting goes far beyond the basics. Players can access special betslips with boosted odds directly from the lobby, creating a smoother, more intuitive betting journey and adding extra excitement to every event.
Innovation Built Around “Get More”
Mark Simmonds, Head of Wildz Sports, explains the vision behind the new Winter Sports experience:
“At Wildz, our promise to players has always been to ‘Get More’, and this Winter Sports hub delivers exactly that. Over the coming weeks, punters can immerse themselves in their favourite winter sports as the world’s elite athletes compete at the highest level.
Our creative teams have built a content-rich environment with something for everyone. No matter where you’re playing from — Finland, Canada or elsewhere — you’ll enjoy the very best of winter sports action. We believe this approach speaks directly to the new generation of sports bettors.”
What Players Can Look Forward To
The Winter Sports hub offers a host of standout features, including:
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NHL players returning to the Winter Games for the first time since Sochi 2014
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A content-rich lobby with live streams and instant access to betslips
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Value-packed promotions, such as free bets for every gold medal won and country-specific specials
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Enhanced odds on major winter sports, plus niche markets for added excitement
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Winter-themed slot games to keep the fun going between events
A Complete Sports & Entertainment Destination
Wildz Sports is the flagship sportsbook of the Wildz Group, offering a comprehensive selection of top-tier sporting events including football, basketball, golf and more. The platform features a dynamic live chat environment, guest streamers, and engaging commentary, all brought together through Wildz TV, the home of live sports insights and entertainment.
Importantly, all regular sports markets remain fully available alongside the Winter Sports hub, ensuring players can enjoy every sport, every season, all in one place.
The post Winter Sports Gets Unique Wildz Treatment appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Ebaka Games has taken a major step in its growth journey by securing its first aggregator partnership with Hub88, officially ending its period of exclusivity with menace.com and opening up to new commercial opportunities.
The new agreement will see Hub88’s network of operators among the first to access Ebaka Games’ distinctive portfolio, known for its original mechanics and bold approach to instant-play gaming.
Through seamless integration via the Hub88 API, partner operators can quickly onboard Ebaka’s full suite of instant games. The portfolio is designed to stand out, featuring dynamic gameplay, striking visuals, proprietary Ebaka game modes, high-volatility mechanics, and generous multipliers. The studio’s focus is firmly on delivering instant entertainment and driving strong player engagement.
Commenting on the partnership, Ebaka Games CEO Vitalii Zalievskyi said:
“It is time to bring Ebaka Games’ genuinely thrilling content to players around the world, and partnering with Hub88 is an important step as we scale our operations. We’re excited that operators can now integrate our games so easily, and we look forward to building a strong, long-term partnership with Hub88 as we expand globally.”
The Hub88 deal marks the first phase of Ebaka Games’ wider distribution strategy. The studio has confirmed that additional partnerships are already in the pipeline, with its content set to roll out across major operators and leading aggregators in the near future.
The post Ebaka Games secures first aggregator partner with Hub88 deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
PrizePicks, the leading sports entertainment operator in North America, announced that it has launched its innovative peer-to-peer fantasy sports contest in New York. Players across the state can now compete in engaging leaderboard style fantasy sports games.
“Returning to New York is a testament to the state’s commitment to embracing innovative gaming products,” said Nick Zabriskie, SVP of Government Affairs, PrizePicks. “Players deserve a competitive landscape, allowing them to engage with their favorite contests in a regulated environment. We’re excited to bring our games back to sports fans who have eagerly been awaiting our return and to extend our footprint in the Empire State.”
In October, PrizePicks was awarded an interactive fantasy sports license by the New York State Gaming Commission. New York is the 16th state to formally ratify PrizePicks’s fantasy contests as games of skill under its interactive fantasy sports rules.
As PrizePicks continues to expand to new markets, investment into Responsible Gaming remains a key focus. In 2025, PrizePicks was awarded iCAP accreditation by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) for its Responsible Gaming practices and efforts, becoming the first and only fantasy sports operator to earn the certification.
The post PrizePicks Returns to New York appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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