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.
Powered by WPeMatico
Premier iGaming Creative & Development Agency appoints Stefano as its new Marketing Director
Vegas Kings, the leading creative and development agency specializing in the iGaming and sports betting industry, is excited to welcome Catie Di Stefano as its new Marketing Director.
For nearly 30 years, Vegas Kings has been at the forefront of iGaming innovation, delivering high-converting creative design, seamless front-end development, and engaging content that enhances player conversion and retention. The agency has built a reputation as the go-to creative powerhouse for sports betting and casino brands worldwide.
“As the industry continues to evolve, so does the need for fresh, creative talent,” said Ashley Adir, CEO at Vegas Kings. “We’re excited to welcome Catie to the team. Her experience across B2B and B2C gaming, content marketing and digital transformation aligns perfectly with our mission to create industry-leading services for operators and providers alike.”
“Vegas Kings has been a trusted partner in the iGaming industry since 1998, and I’m honored to join a team that has such a strong reputation of consistently delivering top-tier creative and technical development,” said Di Stefano. “In such a competitive industry, having the right blend of engaging design, seamless integrations and strategic content is what makes the difference. I’m excited to showcase how Vegas Kings can further help brands stand out.”
As Vegas Kings continues to expand globally, the agency remains dedicated to helping operators maximize player engagement through expert-driven design, development, and content marketing strategies.
Di Stefano, who brings over a decade of gaming industry experience, will make her debut representing Vegas Kings at Next.io in New York in March 2025.
The post Vegas Kings Welcomes Catie Di Stefano as Vegas Queen appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Spinomenal, the leading iGaming content provider, has grown its presence within the Dutch market after signing with operator Lucky7 Casino.
The content collaboration will ensure a rich selection of Spinomenal games which will join the Lucky7 Casino lobby, including 1 Reel, Baba Yaga, 4 Horsemen III, Wolf Fang – Golden Sands and Majestic Blue Panther. Lucky7 Casino will welcome these titles via the Finnplay platform.
Lior Shvartz, CEO for Spinomenal commented: “We’re extremely excited about this collaboration with Lucky7 Casino in the Dutch market, and we’re confident our games will contribute to its positive momentum and growth.”
Frank Loffeld, COO/CTO for Lucky7 Casino added: “We’ve long admired Spinomenal’s commitment to making highly engaging games and we know with full confidence these will be well received by our experienced players.”
The post Spinomenal strikes partnership with Lucky7 Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Playzia Signs Strategic Deal with StarGames, a Leading Brand Operated by Greentube, to Expand Footprint in Germany
Playzia, a fast-growing game provider to the iGaming industry, is thrilled to announce that it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Greentube, a top-tier operator in the German regulated market and part of the NOVOMATIC Group.
This deal marks a significant milestone for Playzia as it brings its premium gaming content live on Greentube’s platform, at first on StarGames.de, expanding its reach to a broader audience in Germany. By partnering with one of the country’s most established operators, Playzia reinforces its commitment to delivering top-quality gaming experiences in regulated markets and marks a significant step in its global growth strategy, leveraging Greentube’s established presence and expertise in the region.
“We see great potential in working with Greentube as a key operator in Germany,” said Vlad Modorcea, CPO at Playzia. “Bringing our games live on StarGames.de will allow us to connect with more players and showcase our innovative gaming content to a highly engaged audience.”
Greentube also expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. “Playzia’s portfolio brings fresh and engaging content to our platform, and we are confident that our players will enjoy these new additions. This partnership aligns perfectly with our strategy to offer high-quality gaming experiences in Germany.” said Laszlo Pados, Brand Manager at StarGames.
This partnership marks a major step forward for Playzia as it accelerates its footprint in regulated markets, expanding its game portfolio to bring players a wider selection of high-quality, innovative titles. Committed to pushing the boundaries of iGaming, Playzia continues to enhance its presence in key jurisdictions while delivering engaging and immersive gaming experiences.
In 2025, Playzia will introduce a dynamic lineup of new releases, with three fresh titles launching each month. Players can look forward to a diverse range of game formats, including crash, table, instant, and probability-based games, all featuring cutting-edge mechanics and exclusive trademarked innovations. With the addition of exciting jackpots and competitive tournaments, Playzia aims to elevate the player experience, while strengthening its position in regulated markets worldwide.
About Playzia
Playzia has been created by an industry veteran with 20+ years of successful track record in engaging players with games. Leveraging this experience, limitless energy, focus, ambition and passion resulted in Playzia being established in 2024. The company’s mission is to become one of the most entertaining, fun and player-driven innovative online casino games content developers and distributors, creating games players just Love to Play. Playzia looks to position itself as iGaming industry leader in the online gaming market in a short period time with the combination of games with established mechanics and features, but very importantly also games which are innovative, varied, localised and most of all fun! The new journey has just begun! 🚀
For more information, please visit playzia.com. Contact us at [email protected].
About Greentube
Step inside the “Home of Games” with Greentube, delivering safe and secure casino entertainment to players around the world. As the NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment division, Greentube offers a diversified portfolio of Video Slots, Table Games, AWP Reloaded Slots, Server-Based Gaming, Social Casino Gaming, Video Bingo and more. Greentube’s Omni-channel technology is at the forefront of gaming innovation and converges online, mobile and land-based gaming.
About StarGames
StarGames is a German online gambling brand with a long-standing tradition and a focus on responsible gaming. The iGaming website, which has been part of the Greentube Group since 2018, is the German premium provider of NOVOLINE™ games, with internationally successful titles such as Book of Ra™ deluxe and Lucky Lady’s Charm™ deluxe and cutting-edge gameplay innovations. StarGames also offers the hottest slot games from well-known German and international partner studios in an innovative and secure gaming environment. StarGames is licensed by the Joint Gaming Authority of the Federal States (GGL).
The post Playzia Signs Strategic Deal with StarGames, a Leading Brand Operated by Greentube, to Expand Footprint in Germany appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Betty6 days agoWyzia Renews Canadian Partnership With Betty
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
Texas Lottery Moves to Ban Lottery Courier Services
-
BCLC5 days agoBCLC Reminds Public to be Cautious of Illegal Online Casino Scams
-
BETBY7 days ago
BETBY EXPANDS LATAM PRESENCE WITH APPOINTMENT OF JUAN PABLO BARAHONA AS REGIONAL DIRECTOR
-
Betsson5 days ago
Betsson Obtains Local Gaming Licence in Brazil
-
André Baldavira6 days ago
GingaBet Becomes New Master Sponsor of Ponte Preta
-
Aposta 15 days ago
scoreconnect boosts Brazilian presence with Aposta 1 deal
-
Compliance Updates5 days ago
Colombian Lottery Operators Get Permission to Use Random Number Generators
