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Affordability checks will undermine the safer gambling success story, argues Gambling Business Group CEO, Peter Hannibal
Peter Hannibal, chief executive of the cross-sector Gambling Business Group, has warned that the introduction of affordability checks as proposed by the UK Gambling Commission, will jeopardise the current low incidence of problem gambling and in the process undo much of the positive work that’s been achieved by the industry in partnership with its regulator and the wider stakeholder community, including the safer gambling agencies and charities.
Commenting on the Gambling Commission’s proposal that players should be required to provide evidence of affordability based on the highly controversial creation of a monthly discretionary spend ceiling – a figure which the cross-party think-tank the Social Market Foundation has recommended is set at £23 a week (£100 pcm) – Peter Hannibal said: “I would like to stress from the outset that although the Gambling Commission’s affordability proposal has been framed in relation to online players, it would be naïve in the extreme to assume that the principles and philosophy will not be extended to all gambling entertainment activities across all verticals including Adult Gaming Centres, Licensed Betting Offices and Bingo Clubs in some shape or form.
“While this proposal is wrong on virtually every level imaginable, the biggest concern for all those who genuinely care about safer gambling and continuing the UK industry’s internationally acclaimed success story in consistently maintaining problem gambling levels to below 1 percent for the last three decades, is the impact affordability checks will have on driving players away from regulated and responsible sites to unregulated offshore sites.
He added: “Currently the demand to play on unregulated sites is limited but the unintended and I assume unforeseen consequences of affordability checks will be to create such a market and then to sustain it.
“Make no mistake, this is prohibition by another name and wherever you look in the world prohibition has never worked and will never work, more than often creating exactly the set of problems that it sets out to address.”
Hannibal believes there’s a danger a proposal of this significance does not receive the necessary degree of scrutiny particularly in relation to its’ impact on safer gambling. He explained: “In December I contacted DCMS regarding what I feel was a balanced and logical set of Terms of Reference for the Review of Gambling, but pointing out that it was illogical for the Gambling Commission to be continuing their own unilateral consultation into what it refers somewhat euphemistically as ‘customer interaction requirements and guidance’.
“I argued that it would be more logical to include any proposals for controls on consumption – that could have a profound impact on the public – as part of the Government Review. It would also be in the public’s interest for proposals for such intrusions into personal affairs to be subject to the same Aim and Objectives as those DCMS have set out for the Review of the Act which appear free of preconceptions and well considered.
“The affordability proposal raises a huge range of quite fundamental ethical, legal and practical issues – not least a precedent for state intervention in consumer spending alongside a quite startling presumption that gambling entertainment, enjoyed responsibly by 99 percent of consumers, represents a public health issue way beyond that of tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption or obesity. As such it merits much deeper, evidence-based scrutiny.”
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ACR POKER INJECTS DAILY DOSE OF THRILL INTO TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE WITH LAUNCH OF DAILY MYSTERY BOUNTY EVENTS
Monster top bounty of 10% of the total prize pool up for grabs starting this weekend
ACR Poker today announced the addition of Daily Mystery Bounty events to its tournament lineup starting this Sunday, August 3rd, delivering unmatched entertainment, thrilling action, and big wins to the tables.
Daily Mystery Bounty tournaments turn traditional bounty formats on their head. Once players are in the money, instead of receiving a fixed reward for eliminating an opponent, players receive a Mystery Bounty Chest revealing a mystery reward, with the top bounty prize being 10% of the total prize pool.
“Mystery Bounties are just pure fun,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “You never know what you’re going to get when you knock someone out, it could be some random treasure or a monster bounty that flips your whole tournament. With same-day events, fast action and bounty madness on your daily calendar, it keeps the adrenaline going and makes every hand way more exciting.”
The Daily Mystery Bounty schedule features a range of tourneys and buy-ins, with highlights including the $250K GTD Sunday Funday ($215 buy-in), the $150K GTD Major Mash Up ($66 buy-in), and the $100K GTD Moorman’s Mayhem ($630 buy-in). Starting this Sunday, players can log into the ACR Poker client, open the Tournaments tab, and find the full lineup of Daily Mystery Bounty events in the regular schedule under upcoming events.
And don’t forget, the Mystery Bounty madness continues in ACR Poker’s massive Dual Venom tournaments taking place from Sunday, August 10th to Tuesday, August 26th. Not only are the $2,650 buy-in tourneys offering huge guarantees of $8 million in the NHL event and $2 million in the PLO event, but there are massive bounties on the table for those who knock out their competitors.
In the Venom NLH, eliminating just one opponent could earn a player the top bounty prize of $500,000. While in the Venom PLO, which ties ACR Poker’s biggest Omaha tourney ever, there’s a juicy $200,000 bounty for the taking. And that’s not all, every knockout in both tourneys earns players a minimum bounty of at least $5,000.
For full details about the Daily Mystery Bounty tournaments or to find out more about the Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms, visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER INJECTS DAILY DOSE OF THRILL INTO TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE WITH LAUNCH OF DAILY MYSTERY BOUNTY EVENTS appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
A chaotic jungle journey with big, bad foes and insane riches.
Welcome to the jungle, where Shoot Happens! Face your opponent, take aim, and fire your way to riches.
ELA Games unveils its boldest title to date, a combination of decision-making and narrative progression where every shot counts.
In Shoot Happens, you’re not just a player. You’re the main character who has to fend off waves of increasingly dangerous (and valuable) monsters. Armed with 3 shots per round, you’ll need precision and calm nerves to take down the reward and add it to your Winpot. Hit the target for riches. Miss… and it’s back to the beginning.
The Choice Is Yours
Each round is in the hands of the player. Do you cash out now? Or keep slashing through the jungle for bigger and better rewards? Decision-making, timing, and a whole load of guts go a long way.
Expect the Unexpected
Random projectile bonuses can appear in any round, boosting your rewards massively. And just when you thought your journey through the treacherous jungle was over, the final boss appears. While the other monsters may have been a piece of cake, he doesn’t stay down. Each time you defeat him, he respawns for juicier and recurring payouts. Keep going as long as you can handle it, and you might walk out as the top dog of the jungle.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the game’s release, “With Shoot Happens, the team ventured outside of conventional game formats, and we wanted to give players a super engaging experience where they’re in control. This title is a bold approach to game design in this industry, as we’re empowering players with choice and enriching the gameplay experience with strong visuals, narratives, and plenty of replayability.”
Play how you want. The Winpot is yours
Shoot Happens is the perfect blend of fast-paced action, bold decision-making, and interactive gameplay. Whether you’re a cautious player or a complete daredevil, the game is an enticing experience for all.
How deep into the jungle are you willing to go?
The post Take Aim at Mega Wins: ELA Games Unleashes Chaos With New Shooter Game “Shoot Happens” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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HIPTHER Enters Next-Level Operations Era: E-Residency, Flexibility, Tech & Collaboration
HIPTHER, the innovative events organiser and media hub behind renowned boutique conferences and online news platforms for the iGaming and Technology industries, is thrilled to announce its new, dynamic era of operations.
Staying true to its international character, HIPTHER breaks free from geographical and logistical limitations by becoming an e-resident company of Estonia and embracing a fully remote work model built on trust, flexibility, and technology.
Estonian E-Residency: A Logical Step Forward for HIPTHER
With a strong focus on innovation, digitalisation, and entrepreneurship, Estonia has long been at the forefront of e-governance. For HIPTHER, a company operating across borders with a digital-first mindset, joining the Estonian e-Residency programme was not just a strategic move – it was the natural next step.
The e-Residency allows HIPTHER to maintain a fully online EU-based company, benefiting from Estonia’s transparent business environment, streamlined administration, and modern legal framework. It enables the team to manage operations more efficiently, with secure access to digital services and the freedom to work from anywhere in the world.
Estonia’s global-first approach mirrors HIPTHER’s own values: agility, decentralisation, and forward-thinking, making this alignment more than practical; it’s philosophical. With its new base in the digital nation, HIPTHER further amplifies its mission to connect industries, foster innovation, and redefine how modern companies operate and grow.
Remote Work Model: Trust, Flexibility, Collaboration in a Tech-forward Era
Supported by e-Residency and the innovative mindset echoed across HIPTHER’s conferences, virtual events, and media outlets – which cover cutting-edge industries such as Gaming, Fintech, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and beyond – the #hipthers are now able to collaborate fully remotely.
Following technological advancements and staying true to its human-centric values of wellness, balance, trust, and originality, HIPTHER takes a bold leap toward remote work – where others can’t or won’t.
From managing international summits and awards to running online media and virtual panels, HIPTHER has long relied on digital infrastructure, and now turns this into a permanent advantage.
Zoltan Tuendik, HIPTHER’s Co-Founder & Head of Business, shared his thoughts behind this big next step for the company: “We believe in building a future where innovation, flexibility, and human-centric values guide everything we do. For several years now, our team has been working across borders, embracing remote collaboration and digital-first operations. With this step we’re solidifying and elevating a way of working that’s already part of our DNA. Becoming an e-resident company empowers us to bring lasting change and sets the stage for our next chapter of global impact.”
Join the #hipthers Journey – We’re Hiring!
HIPTHER is growing, and we’re on the lookout for passionate, creative, and driven individuals to join our fully remote team. If you’re excited about working across dynamic industries like iGaming, Tech, Blockchain, and more, we want to hear from you!
Open Positions:
- Social Media & Audience Engagement Lead
- Virtual Events & Community Coordinator
👉 Check out the openings here – send us your CV and a short intro to:
[email protected] or [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you!
The post HIPTHER Enters Next-Level Operations Era: E-Residency, Flexibility, Tech & Collaboration appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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