Press Releases

Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling publishes literature review

Published

6 years ago

June 3, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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.

Source

BETER

BETER strikes Wplay partnership in Colombia

Published

3 hours ago

March 19, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

beter-strikes-wplay-partnership-in-colombia

BETER, the award-winning provider of fast-betting content, data, and odds for esports and sports, has strengthened its position in the LatAm market through a partnership with top-tier Colombian operator Wplay.

Under the terms of the agreement, Wplay will offer BETER’s exclusive ESportsBattle tournaments to its players, with eFootball and eBasketball set to be the first disciplines to go live.

The partnership provides a major boost for Wplay, enabling the operator to differentiate its offering and deliver the fast-betting experiences that players in Colombia are increasingly seeking.

BETER exclusively delivers nearly 500,000 esports events annually through ESportsBattle tournaments, which include eFootball, eBasketball, eHockey, and eTennis, offering up to 50 markets per match and an average operator margin of 7.5%+.

Chuck Robinson, CRO at BETER, said: “Latin America is a strategically important market for BETER, and one where we have already made significant strides. This partnership with Wplay in Colombia builds on that progress and further strengthens our position as a must-have provider in the region.

“Wplay is exactly the kind of partner we look for — reputable, trustworthy, and innovative. It understands that player preferences are evolving and that fast-betting content is no longer a nice-to-have, but a must-have for operators looking to engage the next generation of bettors.

“The fact that we are able to strike partnerships with such high-calibre operators is a testament to the quality of our products and solutions, particularly when it comes to integrity and fairness.”

Julio Tamayo from Wplay, added: “When it comes to fast-betting content, BETER is the clear market leader, which is why we’ve gone all out to bring its ESportsBattle tournaments to our players.

“One of the standout qualities of BETER’s content is its strong focus on integrity, with a dedicated team ensuring strict adherence to fair play and transparency. This gives us a high level of confidence in offering its content to our players.

“This is an excellent partnership for Wplay, allowing us to further differentiate our offering while providing players with the most in-demand fast-betting experiences.”

The post BETER strikes Wplay partnership in Colombia appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Casino Carrasco

WSOP Circuit Returns to Latin America with GGPoker Qualifiers

Published

16 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

wsop-circuit-returns-to-latin-america-with-ggpoker-qualifiers

The prestigious World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOP Circuit) is making a highly anticipated return to Latin America in 2026, with GGPoker offering exclusive online satellite tournaments for players aiming to secure a seat at the upcoming Montevideo stop.

Set to take place from May 18 to 25, 2026, the event will be hosted at the iconic Casino Carrasco in Montevideo, bringing together top poker talent from across the region and beyond.

A Major Poker Event Returns to Latin America

The WSOP Circuit Montevideo stop marks a significant moment for the Latin American poker scene, placing the region back in the global spotlight. The tournament series will feature 12 official gold ring events, alongside a full schedule of side tournaments, VIP experiences, and international media coverage.

With its scenic riverside setting and world-class facilities, Casino Carrasco provides an ideal backdrop for what is expected to be one of the most exciting poker festivals of the year.

According to Juan Carreño, Head of Spanish LatAm at GGPoker, the event represents a unique opportunity for players across Latin America to participate in a world-class poker experience in a premier destination.

GGPoker Launches Online Satellite Tournaments

To make the event accessible to a wider audience, GGPoker has introduced a comprehensive schedule of online satellite tournaments, running from March 30 to May 10, 2026.

These qualifiers allow players to secure entry into the live event at a fraction of the cost, with buy-ins and formats designed to suit players of all levels.

Key Satellite Highlights

$5 Daily Satellites (Mon–Fri): Multiple evening opportunities to qualify affordably
Freeroll Tournaments (Saturday): Chance to win satellite tickets without entry fees
$33 Package Qualifiers (Mon–Sat): Pathway to full event packages
$22 Last Chance Satellites (Sunday): Final opportunities to qualify
$215 Weekly Final (Sunday): High-stakes qualifier for premium entries

This structured approach ensures consistent opportunities for players worldwide to compete for a seat at the Montevideo event.

Day	Time (UTC +0)	Tournament Name
Mon–Fri	7-8-9-10-11 PM	WSOP-C Uruguay – $5 Daily Satellite
Saturday	8:30 PM	WSOP-C Uruguay – Freeroll (5 x $215 satellite tickets)
Mon–Sat	12 AM	WSOP-C Uruguay – $33 Package Qualifier
Sunday	8 PM	WSOP-C Uruguay – $22 Last Chance Satellite
Sunday	11 PM	WSOP-C Uruguay – $215 Weekly Final

High Stakes and Exclusive Rewards

Beyond the prestige of competing in a WSOP Circuit event, players will have the chance to win official WSOP gold rings, one of the most coveted prizes in tournament poker.

Additionally, each event winner will receive a $5,000 package to the WSOP Circuit Championship at the WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas, adding further incentive for competitors.

This prize structure not only elevates the stakes but also connects the Montevideo stop to the broader global WSOP ecosystem.

Strengthening Latin America’s Poker Scene

The return of the WSOP Circuit to Latin America reflects the region’s growing importance in the global poker landscape. Countries across the continent have seen increased interest in both online and live poker, driven by expanding platforms and international events.

By hosting the event in Uruguay and offering accessible online qualifiers, GGPoker is helping to bridge the gap between online and live poker, enabling more players to transition from digital tables to major international tournaments.

A Premier Destination for Poker Enthusiasts

Montevideo’s blend of culture, history, and scenic beauty makes it an attractive destination for poker players and fans alike. Combined with the luxurious setting of Casino Carrasco, the event promises not only competitive poker action but also a memorable travel experience.

From professional players chasing titles to recreational participants seeking excitement, WSOP Circuit Montevideo 2026 is set to deliver a complete poker festival experience.

Conclusion

With exclusive qualifiers on GGPoker and a prestigious live event in Montevideo, the WSOP Circuit’s return to Latin America marks a major milestone for the region’s poker community.

The combination of accessible online satellites, high-value rewards, and a world-class venue ensures that this stop will be one of the standout events on the 2026 poker calendar.

Reference Article

A similar article about WSOP events and international poker tournaments can be found on PokerNews:

Related article: https://www.pokernews.com/tours/wsop/

This site provides comprehensive coverage of WSOP Circuit events, qualifiers, and global poker tournaments.

The post WSOP Circuit Returns to Latin America with GGPoker Qualifiers appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Asia

FeedConstruct and East Asia Super League Sign Multi-Year Exclusive Data and Streaming Agreement

Published

21 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

feedconstruct-and-east-asia-super-league-sign-multi-year-exclusive-data-and-streaming-agreement

FeedConstruct has secured the exclusive worldwide data and streaming betting rights to the East Asia Super League (EASL) under a landmark multi-year agreement. The deal takes immediate effect, covering the remaining final stages of the 2025/2026 season as well as full future campaigns.

EASL, widely regarded as the Champions League of professional men’s basketball in East Asia, features top-performing teams from leading leagues across Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, and Macau S.A.R.

Through this partnership, FeedConstruct’s global network of partners will gain access to premium, exclusive coverage of EASL action. The agreement spans all international territories excluding Hong Kong, with coverage beginning right away as the 2025/2026 Quarterfinals tip off on March 18.

Narek Harutyunyan, CEO at FeedConstruct, commented: “Signing a multi-year agreement with EASL is an important step for FeedConstruct. East Asia is a fast-growing region for sports, with strong fan engagement and increasing demand for quality content. Through this partnership, we aim to provide our partners with reliable access to EASL competitions across our global network.”

EASL Chief Executive Officer Henry Kerins added: “We are thrilled to join forces with FeedConstruct in this landmark partnership. This collaboration reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that EASL’s data reaches the world responsibly, accurately, and with the integrity our league demands. The demand for official, high-quality sports data continues to grow at an extraordinary pace, and we believe that aligning with a partner of FeedConstruct’s caliber and global reputation accelerates our mission to elevate EASL’s profile on a truly global scale. While we recognize the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the betting industry, we are committed to approaching this space thoughtfully and in full alignment with the standards and values of our league and its stakeholders. This is a partnership we are genuinely proud of.”

The agreement creates a direct bridge between East Asian basketball and the global iGaming ecosystem, enabling operators to tap into a highly engaged audience that has historically exceeded 100 million viewers.

This strategic move further strengthens FeedConstruct’s position as a leading provider of sports data, streaming, and technology solutions, reinforcing its role in connecting the worlds of sport and iGaming on a global scale.

The post FeedConstruct and East Asia Super League Sign Multi-Year Exclusive Data and Streaming Agreement appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.