Press Releases

Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling publishes literature review

Published

5 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

Aviator

SPRIBE names Michael “Venom” Page as Aviator brand ambassador

Published

33 minutes ago

October 16, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Iconic UFC athlete to promote the world’s number one crash game to his global fanbase

SPRIBE has entered into yet another knock-out Aviator brand ambassador partnership, this time with top-ranked UFC welter and middleweight, Michael “Venom” Page.

Hailing from London, ‘MVP’ is recognised throughout the MMA community as a standout athlete in the middleweight division, admired for his creativity, power and showmanship inside the Octagon®. His unique style and personality have made him a fan favourite worldwide.

As an Aviator brand ambassador, MVP will promote the world’s number one crash game to his large and loyal army of fans across the world through several thrilling campaigns.

The collaboration forms part of SPRIBE’s wider multi-year, multi-million-dollar marketing deal with UFC that has brought Aviator branding to the famous Octagon on UFC Fight Night and numbered events.

Page joins a growing roster of UFC superstars promoting Aviator to their fans, including the likes of Arman Tsarukyan, Diego Lopes, Alex Pereira, Johnny Walker and Merab Dvalishvili.

The partnership has proved transformational for Aviator, which has grown from 10 million to over 60 million monthly players and continues to capture new audiences around the world.

Giorgi Tsutskiridze, CCO at SPRIBE, said: “We are thrilled to add Michael “Venom” Page to our lineup of Aviator brand ambassadors and for him to be taking part in some truly epic campaigns over the coming 12 months.

“MVP is a fearless fighter who always puts on a great show whenever he steps into the Octagon, and this has seen him earn a large and loyal international fan base.

“We look forward to engaging these fans and showing them why Aviator is the number one crash game in the world, and why, like Michael, they should strap in, take flight and see if they can hold their nerve against the increasing win multiplier.”

Michael “Venom” Page, UFC Fighter and Aviator brand ambassador, added: “Aviator is a white-knuckle ride where the stakes are high, but so too is the potential reward.

“Nothing beats stepping into the Octagon and going toe to toe with an opponent, but strapping in a taking flight with Aviator comes pretty close.

“I know my fans will love the fast-paced thrill ride it provides and look forward to introducing them to Aviator through some great campaigns over the coming 12 months.”

The post SPRIBE names Michael “Venom” Page as Aviator brand ambassador appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Chief Marketing Officer at SOFTSWISS Valentina Bagniya

SOFTSWISS CMO to Lead Key Sessions at Marketing Leaders Forum

Published

33 minutes ago

October 16, 2025

George Miller

softswiss-cmo-to-lead-key-sessions-at-marketing-leaders-forum

Reading Time: 2 minutes

SOFTSWISS, a global tech leader in providing iGaming software, announces that its Chief Marketing Officer, Valentina Bagniya, will take the stage at the upcoming Marketing Leaders Forum by Clarion Gaming, held on 22 October in London.

At a time when iGaming marketing is no longer seen as ‘just support’ but recognised as a strategic driver of growth, Valentina will address how the function is being redefined – and what the next era will demand from its leaders.

Valentina will lead two major sessions:

Keynote: “Building B2B Brands That Lead the Game”
Why brand building in B2B can no longer be underestimated, and how it shapes long-term trust, growth, and leadership.
Panel: “How CMOs Are Navigating the Next Era”
A debate with senior marketing executives on the evolving role of marketing: balancing brand and demand, embracing AI, and leading teams through transformation.

Valentina Bagniya, CMO at SOFTSWISS, noted: “B2B marketing in iGaming is evolving every day. It’s no longer just about logos or campaigns. It’s about long-term growth, building trust, and delivering real value across multiple markets. At SOFTSWISS, we’ve seen firsthand how a strong brand can open doors and inspire the whole team to think bigger. I’m really looking forward to sharing what we’ve learned and hearing how others are building a new era of gaming marketing!”

The Marketing Leaders Forum by Clarion Gaming brings together top global marketing executives, creative leaders, and industry experts to discuss emerging trends and the future of brand strategy in the gaming industry.

Valentina’s participation at the Summit follows SOFTSWISS’ recent recognition at the EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025, where the marketing team was named Marketing Team of the Year for the third time, and Valentina was awarded B2B Marketer of the Year.

One of the team’s most anticipated flagship content projects, the 2026 iGaming Trends Report, will be released soon. Industry professionals can now join the waitlist to be among the first to access it upon publication.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Platform, and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS CMO to Lead Key Sessions at Marketing Leaders Forum appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

BETBY

BETBY CONTINUES UPWARD TRAJECTORY WITH SOLID Q3 2025 PERFORMANCE RESULTS

Published

22 hours ago

October 15, 2025

George Miller

betby-continues-upward-trajectory-with-solid-q3-2025-performance-results

Reading Time: 2 minutes

BETBY, a leading sportsbook supplier, has reported another strong quarter, with its Q3 2025 performance underlining consistent growth and sustained engagement across its global partner network. The results highlight the provider’s continued expansion, innovation, and ability to deliver competitive value to operators worldwide.

During the third quarter, BETBY’s sportsbook recorded a 56.07% year-on-year increase in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), a 24.92% rise in total bets placed, and a 19.45% increase in active players, aligning with the solid upward trend seen in the company’s H1 results.

Importantly, these results were achieved despite a non-idyllic September, which was marked by uncompetitive margins due to sporting outcomes. This resilience further underscores the company’s ability to maintain growth momentum even in unfavourable market conditions.

This performance further demonstrates the scalability and reliability of BETBY’s sportsbook solution, which continues to attract new partners and drive growth across regulated markets. The supplier’s investment in proprietary trading models, AI-powered tools, and tailored partner support remains central to its strategy.

Betby.Games, BETBY’s proprietary esports feed, also delivered a positive quarter, achieving an 8.43% year-on-year increase in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), a 6.18% rise in total bets placed, and an 11.85% growth in active players compared to the same period last year.

Leonid Pertsovskiy, Chief Executive Officer at BETBY, commented: “Q3 once again demonstrates the strength of our products and the trust we’ve built with our partners. We continue to deliver solid results across both sportsbook and esports verticals, driven by innovation, user-centric solutions, and our commitment to excellence. As we approach the end of the year, our focus remains on accelerating growth and reinforcing our position as a Tier-1 provider in the iGaming industry.”

To find out more about BETBY’s cutting-edge sportsbook solution visit booth 4045 during SiGMA Central Europe. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with BETBY’s team, and discover how the company’s solutions and services can be their winning aspect for their iGaming project.

The post BETBY CONTINUES UPWARD TRAJECTORY WITH SOLID Q3 2025 PERFORMANCE RESULTS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.