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Affordability checks will undermine the safer gambling success story, argues Gambling Business Group CEO, Peter Hannibal

Published

3 years ago

January 20, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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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Aviatrix pairs with Cactus Gaming in latest Latin America deal

Published

2 hours ago

May 15, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

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Innovative crash game Aviatrix has partnered with Cactus Gaming in an agreement that will extend its reach further into Latin America.

Aviatrix will integrate with Cactus Gaming’s online casino solutions, becoming available to the provider’s partners in Brazil and beyond.

This means more players in Latin America can enjoy the one-of-a-kind crash game with NFT-based engagement mechanics.

Gabriela Novello, Head of Business Development LATAM at Aviatrix, said: “We’re looking forward to this partnership with Cactus Gaming blooming for both sides. We’re impressed by their reach across Latin America, particularly in Brazil, where they are well placed to help us bring Aviatrix to new audiences.”

Tiago Carneiro, CRA at Cactus Gaming, added: “Cactus Gaming has as one of its main differentials the conversion power of the platform, which turns users into loyal players. The partnership with Aviatrix will further enhance this. The game is one of the most exciting we’ve seen in recent times, and we’re thrilled to offer it to our partners.”

The collaboration between Aviatrix and Cactus Gaming is set to further raise the bar for online casino in Latin America, with both sides committed to delivering the very best user experience to players.

Aviatrix has been rapidly expanding in Latin America over the past few months, signing deals with some of the biggest aggregators and operators in the region.

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New Game Release by Zillion Games – Wolf’s Moon

Published

2 hours ago

May 15, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

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Embrace the wild wolf’s spirit and follow the moon’s glow into the forest!

Explore the world of the mysterious forest with the Wolf’s Moon slot! Exciting Mystery symbols, powerful Boost symbols, and the thrilling Hold & Win feature await you here.

About Game

Wolf’s Moon slot has a captivating design that offers an enchanting gaming experience due to its complex mechanics. The game is meticulously structured around a 5-reel grid, featuring 25 distinct paylines, which provides multiple opportunities to the player to secure his winnings. Step in to the adventure with Wolf’s Moon and let yourself transported to a nocturnal world where the forest spirits join your hunt under the glow of the full moon.

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Scientific Games Off to Epic Start With Launch of First GAME OF THRONES Lottery Scratch-off Game in the U.S.

Published

3 hours ago

May 15, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

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Colorado Lottery Winners Will Be Lucky Participants in THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE Set to Take Place in Napa.

Scientific Games’ newest multi-state branded GAME OF THRONES Linked Games, developed in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, has kicked off successfully with GAME OF THRONES branded instant scratch, Fast Play and iLottery games offering players the chance to win prizes instantly, plus an opportunity to win an experiential prize package, THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE.

Inspired by one of the most-watched HBO television series of all time and set to captivate the GAME OF THRONES fandom, THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE event will take place in a medieval-style castle winery in Napa Valley, California in 2025. Trip winners will be divided into seven “Houses”, such as House Targaryen, House Stark and House Lannister.

The event will include multiple rounds of brand-immersive games, giving trip winners a second chance to win their share of up to $7 million. The trip winners will get to cheer on their own “Champion” in a live jousting tournament, and one “Ruler” will be chosen from each house to play for prize money split amongst every member of the house.

The Colorado Lottery is the first U.S. lottery to launch a GAME OF THRONES-themed lottery Linked Game to give players in the state an opportunity to win the once-in-a-lifetime experience. The game achieved the highest first-week index of any of the Lottery’s $10 games launched in fiscal year 2024. It continues to lead, with four-week sales surpassing all other Colorado Lottery $10 games in fiscal year 2024 and most games in other price points, placing third behind a $20 and $50 game. THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE has limited availability remaining for North American lottery participation, with most of the current trip winner spots filled.

Tom Seaver, Director of the Colorado Lottery, said, “Our players are very excited to play the GAME OF THRONES scratch game. It’s been a great addition to our game lineup, and as the sales numbers show, it is performing really well for us.”

According to Scientific Games research, the GAME OF THRONES brand resonates especially well with younger adult players.

Tina Hoover, V.P. of Licensing for Scientific Games, said, “Our teams are continually innovating to make every lottery winners’ event unique and exciting. We worked with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment to create an immersive GAME OF THRONES-themed winners experience and to deliver a top-notch winners’ event that we’ve refined over the past 17 years doing prize trips for more than 5,000 lottery players. Based on the response we have received and participation so far for THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE, we are looking into a potential second trip opportunity.”

Scientific Games pioneered the lottery Linked Games concept in 2007 and games produced by the company offering the opportunity to win experiential prizes themed to brands like DEAL OR NO DEAL, MONOPOLY, THE PRICE IS RIGHT and WILLY WONKA represent more than USD$4.6 billion in retail sales to date.

With a portfolio representing more than 100 licensed brands, Scientific Games provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries worldwide.