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BGC: Compulsory Affordability Checks Threaten Regulated Betting and Gaming Industry, Warns Major Report by EY
Britain’s regulated betting and gaming sector has urged Government to publish a White Paper that delivers for business and punters, after a new study showed affordability checks are already hitting revenues.
Research by EY for the Betting and Gaming Council confirmed the sector remained robust despite the pandemic and was now weathering the energy crisis and cost of living crisis.
However, the enforcement of tougher affordability checks, have contributed to reduced revenues, the study said.
The report backs up recent polling which showed nearly 70% of people who place a bet said they would be unwilling to allow regulated firms to carry out compulsory affordability checks to prove they can afford to wager.
According to EY, despite the external pressures facing all businesses, which have been exacerbated by affordability checks, BGC members’ total Gross Value Added contribution to the UK economy was £7.1bn.
Meanwhile the industry supports 110,000 jobs on high streets, in hospitality and in global tech powerhouses.
The contribution to the Treasury from regulated betting and gaming remained significant at £4.2bn annually.
Across the industry, overall Gross Gambling Yield – total revenues after winnings have been paid but before costs are deducted – was slightly up on 2019 despite massive global volatility.
A new White Paper setting out new laws for the Gambling Industry is expected within weeks. In expectation of Government limits on spending, BGC members have already started applying more stringent checks, which are hitting revenues.
The EY study, noted: “Online GGY has declined since mid-2021, probably reflecting the re-opening of physical venues, the introduction of affordability checks on online, and the decline in real household incomes.”
The decline in the online regulated betting and gaming sector as a result of factors including the impact of affordability checks could push customers to the black market, the study warned.
The EY study, said these pressures, “could in turn lead to leakage to the black market, i.e. operators offering remote (mainly desktop and mobile) gambling products that do not hold a UK Gambling Commission license for remote gambling.”
European countries applying tough sanctions on betting, including restrictions on stakes, blanket affordability checks and curbs on advertising, have witnessed an increase in black market betting.
Norway’s black market now accounts for over 66% of all money staked, in France it is 57%, while in In Italy 23% of money bet is on illicit sites.
The figures have prompted renewed calls from the BGC to end the uncertainty presented by the Government’s delayed review of gambling laws, and ensure any new regulations put industry on a sustainable foundation for future growth.
CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council Michael Dugher said: “The UK’s regulated betting and gaming sector is a genuine global leader. Some 22.5m adults enjoy a wager, on the lottery, on bingo, on any number of sports, online and in casinos.
“Our members pump billions into the economy, support the Treasury with more billions and support over one hundred thousand jobs.
“But this contribution is never guaranteed. This industry needs to thrive if it is to maintain its status as a global leader.
“As ministers consider the regulatory framework for this industry, they should stop and think, and ensure the decisions they make support a sustainable future.
“This is a sector that is ready to invest, on hard-pressed high streets through bookmakers, in tourism and hospitality through world-class casinos and online where our tech giant members are looking to increase the number of apprentices they hire.
“We urge the Government to find an evidence-led, balanced White Paper that protects the vulnerable, allows the vast majority who bet safely to continue to do so, and crucially allows business to thrive.”
The Government has promised a White Paper outlining a review of current Gambling legislation within weeks.
The industry standards body, the BGC, has launched 20 standards and initiatives since it was established three years ago to drive up standards.
Michael Dugher added: “This industry is serious about safer gambling, and it’s encouraging that the rates of problem gambling among UK adults remains low by international standards at 0.3 percent.
“We want to see technology used to ensure checks on spending are carefully targeted towards the vulnerable, not the vast majority who show no signs of harm.
“But without Government clarity on affordability checks, our members are concerned they are driving frustrated customers to the unsafe, unregulated black market.
“These sites have none of the safer gambling tools employed by our members, do nothing to protect young people, don’t invest anything in the sports we love like horse racing, rugby, darts and football and crucially don’t contribute a penny in tax.”
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ReferOn Unveils Model Context Protocol: The Next Step Toward True AI-Powered Affiliate Management
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ReferOn, a next-gen affiliate management system, announces the development of Model Context Protocol (MCP), a groundbreaking foundation designed to kickstart the era of AI in affiliate marketing.
What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that enables AI assistants to connect directly with ReferOn’s APIs, databases, and platform actions. Instead of adding cosmetic AI “innovations” on top of legacy systems, ReferOn is engineering the infrastructure that allows AI to operate where it delivers the most value and impact for users daily.
How MCP Enhances AI Integration in Affiliate Marketing
The development of MCP opens the door to freeing up affiliate managers to focus on strategy, relationship-building, and growth, instead of dealing with mundane and repetitive tasks. Imagine AI agents that will be able to create tracking links in seconds, set up reward plans on the fly, and detect anomalies in traffic data instantly. This is what “AI-ready” means — real groundwork being set up, not just hype.
The first step in this direction is ReferOn’s Global Search (Beta), a feature that creates a single entry point for data, actions, and insights. While it may look like a simple search bar, it bridges ReferOn’s core layer, raw data, and intelligent AI agents.
Real Impact of AI-Powered Affiliate Management
Alex Bukin, ReferOn’s General Manager, commented, “Strategy and real impact come before hype. MCP isn’t about chasing a wave, it’s about creating a foundation that keeps affiliate managers and operators ahead of the curve. By focusing on building the groundwork to support structured data and open standards, we’re making sure AI has real use cases, not just cosmetic add-ons. Our goal is to set the benchmark for innovation and lead the affiliate management ecosystem by shaping its future.”
About ReferOn
ReferOn is the state-of-the-art affiliate management system, tailored specifically to the needs of the gaming affiliate industry. Launched in February 2023, ReferOn offers a comprehensive suite
of tools and services designed to streamline and enhance the affiliate marketing experience, featuring transparent data reports and a range of management and reporting functionalities.
The post ReferOn Unveils Model Context Protocol: The Next Step Toward True AI-Powered Affiliate Management appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SimplePlay is delighted to announce its recent partnership with Timeless Tech, a leading game aggregator. This alliance will integrate SimplePlay’s suite of games and services into Timeless Tech’s powerful platform, significantly expanding the provider’s reach in key international markets.
As SimplePlay continues to establish itself as a comprehensive game provider, this collaboration will enhance its rich portfolio of premium games through Timeless Tech’s Game Aggregator API. This partnership aims to strengthen SimplePlay’s position and expand its reach in markets like Europe and Latin America.
“We’re delighted to welcome SimplePlay to our aggregator – a provider that represents creativity, reliability, and depth. Their combination of slots, crash, table, and fishing games perfectly complements our goal to deliver diverse, high-performing content to operators worldwide. This partnership highlights what Timeless Tech stands for: building meaningful alliances that empower growth, quality, and innovation.” –– Nicola Cainero, Chief Operating Officer, Timeless Tech
“The new partnership with Timeless Tech is definitely a win-win agreement that fosters mutual growth for both sides,” said Osman Walker, CSO of SimplePlay. “We look forward to bringing our premium gaming content to even more operators and players through Timeless Tech’s extensive network.”
With SimplePlay’s games and Timeless Tech’s distribution network, these two industry powerhouses are set to deliver top-tier game content to players around the world, driving mutual growth and success.
The post SimplePlay Announces Strategic Partnership with Timeless Tech appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Lottomart has announced that they are partnering with NetGaming, bringing their fresh mix of creative, modern, and feature-rich slot content to their growing games catalogue.
Known for bold themes and polished presentation, NetGaming offers an exciting blend of classic concepts and inventive bonus mechanics.
As part of the upcoming rollout at Lottomart, players can look forward to a selection of NetGaming’s standout titles – including the mythological power of Zeus’s Thunderbolt 10000, the lively Irish-themed Shamrock Trio – Hold & Respin, the vibrant 3 Wild Jokers Carnival, the adventurous Pirate’s Fortune Gold – Hold & Respin, and the fiery island energy of Fireball Inferno Tiki. Together, these games highlight the studio’s range, from playful bonus rounds to high-impact visual designs.
Chris Ruddock, Commercial Director at Lottomart, commented: “NetGaming brings a distinctive visual style and a playful approach to game design that really stands out. Their content offers variety, strong themes, and accessible mechanics that fit well with what our players enjoy. We’re looking forward to seeing how their titles perform!”
Alfred Ballester, Business Development Director at NetGaming, said: “We at NetGaming are absolutely thrilled to be going live with Lottomart! Working with the Lottomart team throughout the integration has been an absolute pleasure. We’re super excited to launch our games with such an important and respected UK brand, and we honestly can’t wait to see Lottomart players diving into and enjoying the full NetGaming Games Catalogue!”
The post Lottomart to Welcome NetGaming’s Standout Slot Portfolio appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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