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Safer Gambling: UK Govt Shows its Cards on the Trajectory of Gambling Reform for Digital Age
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has recently presented a white paper to Parliament, outlining the ill-equipped and outdated standards for protecting vulnerable players, and how they have failed to adapt to the digitalised age of gambling. There seems to be a disconnect between the technological advancements of gambling itself, and the technological advancements intended to protect its players.
According to the paper, there are an estimated 3,000,000 people in Great Britain who struggle with “problem gambling” – defined as “a degree which compromises, disrupts or damages family, personal or recreational pursuits”. The impact of problematic gambling can destroy lives and, given the impact of the current economic crisis on the lives of so many, it is imperative that the industry is supported to take on board the new approaches to gambling protocol as put forward by the white paper.
Despite the technological advancements within the industry making gambling accessible online, there is still a demand for land-based gambling enterprises such as casinos, betting shops and racecourses as they offer an authentic experience and atmosphere. Such a vivacious atmosphere cannot be emulated online which is indicative that land-based gambling sites will always be popular among players, whether regular or first-timers.
The white paper acknowledges that these are subject to outdated regulations, and looks to bring these in line with the proposed changes to the online gambling reformations. These intend to enable better monitoring of land-based gambling, in the same way that controls can be placed online to help protect players wherever they play.
From betting shops to pubs with arcade machines, discover more about what the recent white paper recommends for implementing Player Protection protocols in the business and providing responsible restrictions for customers.
Player Protection
Gambling operators are responsible for identifying customers who are susceptible to harmful play and must act accordingly. However, the operators have not had to date the adequate tools or assistance in performing checks on every person that enters their premises. Technology can be utilised to aid operators in this challenging but necessary task in protecting their players.
Biometric technology can help the operator in three core tasks
1) Age Estimation to prevent underage gambling
2) Player Tracking to limit daily spend or excessive losses
3) Identifying Self-Excluded Players
Underage Gambling
In the UK, most forms of gambling are illegal for those under 18s, and the government has the intention of strengthening this further by enacting legislation to ensure consistency. Gambling organisations are obliged to have stringent procedures in place to prevent underage gambling.
Recent figures released by Serve Legal reveal a vast rise in the number of bookies preventing young people from entering their shops. Instances of betting shops carrying out spot checks on underage players have increased from 67% to 91% over the last ten years. This is a promising statistic, and concrete evidence that the new infrastructure put in place to protect players is working.
“However, there are still too many instances of insufficient age verification in some venues, particularly those such as pubs, which can offer adult-only gaming machines but are not adult-only venues like many gambling premises.” – UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2023.
To further help reduce access to premises, ICU Pro can detect if an underage person is entering the premises and send an alert to the operator. A MyCheckr can be placed at the counter to aid the till operator in estimating the age of the customer and also reduce risk of abuse in asking for ID. Analytic and appropriate advertisements is also an attractive feature of the MyCheckr and can be used both as a return on investment and a valuable tool to extract the demographics of the customer base.
Biometric technology can be also used to automate age checks at a machine. ICU Lite, for example, is a compact age estimation device that can be seamlessly integrated into existing software and machines to help businesses comply with adherence to age restrictions. Through more stringent and consistent checks it can help prevent play from vulnerable persons who are underage from accessing the machine.
This new technology gives the operator 3 touchpoints where underage gambling can be prevented, 1) at entry to the premises 2) at the counter 3) at the gaming machine itself.
Player Tracking
Under the Gambling Act 2005, the Gambling Commission was established to regulate the industry and ensure responsible gambling among both individuals and businesses involved in gambling in Great Britain. In their review, the Department of Culture and Sport worked with the Gambling Commission to develop a two-form financial check preventative procedure.
The first will be background checks for moderate levels of spend, to check for indicators of financial vulnerability such as County Court Judgements, and should occur at £125 net loss within a month or £500 within a year. The next check is for higher levels of spending, suggestive of a harmful gambling binge or irrecoverable financial losses as a result of gambling, proposed at a threshold of £1000 net loss within 24 hours or £2000 within 90 days.
Biometric technology can again help operators in this vital task. An ICU Lite can be placed in every machine. Once a player accesses the machine, their age is initially checked. If the person is overage, then their face can be converted into a FaceID. This FaceID can be anonymously linked to the session and shared with all connected machines. Information such as daily spend and losses can then be linked to this FaceID and any necessary interventions can be easily alerted to the operator.
Additionally, the FaceID of a person can be used to set tailored restrictions and can be uploaded to the operators’ database with the agreed restrictions. For each session, the FaceID can ensure that the player will adhere to playing with the restrictions they have set. The FaceID can be automatically deleted after 24 hours and as such no data is stored permanently on the device.
Self-Exclusion
The Betting and Gaming Council enforces that anyone concerned about their gambling habits can exclude themselves from on-premises gambling facilities. Self-exclusion has the potential to help those suffering from gambling addictions to have more control over their lives and build a healthier relationship with gambling.
If a player has self-excluded, the device with facial recognition technology will store that player’s information as FaceID. If the player attempts to play again, the device will detect a match on the system for an attempt of play by a person who is self-excluding and alert the operator. This intervention can occur at multiple touchpoints, such as access to the premises, at the counter or at the machine itself.
Bolstering the Gambling Commission
The white paper also discusses the powers and resources given to the Gambling Commission. The paper acknowledges the difficult feat that the Commission is faced with; in an ever-evolving industry that has long been subject to outdated regulations, there is a lot of work to be done.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport envisions a future where the Commission has greater powers as regulators of the industry and supports the Commission in gaining cooperation from operators to share data to help identify non-compliance to licence conditions.
This is made even more prevalent as the Commission has recently issued its largest fine in history. A British online gambling company was recently fined £19.2m for widespread social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures, a record-breaking figure in the UK. The organisation had previously been fined £6.2m in 2018 for the same reasons, illustrating a repeatedly negligent pattern.
Protecting vulnerable players is a vital but complex task. Operators need the right support and tools to maintain and advance player protection as technology develops. Biometric technology will play a key role in implementing these key reforms designed to improve player protection.
The future for gambling certainly looks like one of change for the better. The restrictions are there not to impede the recreational joy of gambling, but to protect those most vulnerable to addiction. As stated by MP Lucy Frazer, who penned the ministerial foreword of the white paper, “prevention of harm will always be better than a cure, so we are determined to strengthen consumer protection and prevent exploitative practices”.
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The future of safer gambling: The power of advanced monitoring systems and data-driven strategies to monitor player safety
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SkillOnNet Safer Gambling and AML Risk team manager Loizos Theodosiadis on using behavioural tracking systems and analytics to enable proactive risk management.
The future of safer gambling is rooted in predictive analytics and personalised protection. At SkillOnNet, we identify risks of gambling-related harm through both proprietary and third-party software. The third-party system, developed by Neccton and called the MENTOR player-tracking system, enables early detection of behavioural risk long before issues manifest.
These systems analyse vast amounts of data to identify subtle behavioural changes, enabling us to intervene proactively. As I often say, the most exciting developments are around predictive analytics and personalised protection. We’re working on better behavioural modelling to spot risks even earlier and guide players towards sustainable behaviour based on actual patterns, not fixed limits.
Our platform, incorporating Neccton’s system, exemplifies this approach. It continuously monitors player behaviour, flags higher-risk activities, and provides real-time alerts through popups, messages, and dashboards. This allows our teams to act swiftly, offering support or guidance precisely when it’s needed most. Automation supports us by supporting the players, delivering tailored messages about long sessions or risky spending habits.
This move towards personalised, behaviour-based interventions marks a significant shift from traditional, one-size-fits-all thresholds. The future of safer gambling tools lies in advanced monitoring systems and data-driven behavioural analysis profiling players.
Safer Gambling Week and the Role of Industry Collaboration
I believe that Safer Gambling Week is really important. It gives everyone in the industry a chance to pause and focus on the same priority, keeping players safe. We talk about safer gambling all year, but the week helps us amplify everything.
As well as just bringing together our own brands such as Slingo, the official site for Slingo games, and Spin Genie, a leading slots casino in the UK.
Throughout the year, our commitment doesn’t waver, but the week serves as a catalyst for greater awareness and collaboration. It’s an opportunity to reinforce that safer gambling should be a normal, embedded part of our operations and not just a regulatory checkbox. Creating an environment where players feel supported, informed, and empowered is fundamental.
Responsibility is at the core of everything we do. We believe that what sets us apart is how proactive we try to be. We don’t rely on generic thresholds; we focus on behaviour, spotting subtle changes, and acting early even before anything becomes obvious. This proactive stance involves significant investment in staff training, leveraging technology, and fostering a culture of empathy and care.
Our teams are trained to recognise behavioral cues whether in retail or digital environments – such as agitation, long play sessions, or mood swings. With Genting Casino for example, we use algorithms to identify risky behaviours early. Both environments present risks; the key is awareness, communication, and a duty of care. GentingCasino.com offers a premier gaming experience with top-tier slots and we want to offer top-tier player safety.
This proactive approach ensures that support is delivered before problems escalate, emphasising early detection and compassionate intervention. Our strategy is built on the understanding that safer gambling is discussed at senior levels and built into our strategy, not just treated as an add-on, reinforcing a genuine cultural shift within our organisation.
Strengthening Governance and Industry Standards
As online gambling becomes more accessible, I advocate for stronger governance frameworks to protect players effectively. Online environments have more accessibility, so we need a stronger governance framework. Retail needs trained professionals who understand behavioural cues.
I support the implementation of industry-wide standards for affordability and financial risk checks. I support an industry-wide standard for affordability and financial risk checks – applied consistently across all operators. It requires government clarity, data sharing standards, and a balance between consumer rights and harm prevention. Consistent application of these standards, combined with data sharing and regulatory clarity, will ensure that safer gambling practices are effective, fair, and respectful of players’ privacy.
The Ongoing Journey for Operators
While our industry has made significant progress, I believe the journey is ongoing. The industry is on a journey. Many operators, including us, are genuinely committed to embedding safer gambling into their culture. While responses have been reactive in the past, that’s changing.
Today, safer gambling is recognised as a core business priority – about sustainable play, long-term loyalty, and safeguarding reputation. Safer gambling is now a core business priority – about sustainable play, long-term loyalty, and reputation. As we look to the future, I am confident that companies investing early and embracing transparency will set the standard, shaping a healthier and more responsible industry.
SkillOnNet is a leading casino operator that offers a diverse range of online gaming brands. They offer cutting-edge technology, premium content and solutions for some of the industry’s most recognisable names.
They operate a wide range of successful brands including premium online GentingCasino.com, Prime Casino who offer a diverse selection of games as well as Slingo who offer a premium Bingo experience.
Throughout its extensive game catalogue from top-tier developers, SkillOnNet ensures players enjoy a safe, engaging and entertaining environment. They continue to lead the market with its flexible platform, localise expertise and strategic partnerships to offer best-in-class casino entertainment.
The post The future of safer gambling: The power of advanced monitoring systems and data-driven strategies to monitor player safety appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Room 8 Group, an end-to-end strategic partner in external game development, has announced a partnership with Pragma, a company providing tools that help studios build online games faster, connect with players, and grow their communities.
This partnership enables Room 8 Group to integrate Pragma Platform, the game industry’s leading backend solution for connected games. Pragma delivers a comprehensive suite of cross-platform services, including authentication, social, commerce, player data, matchmaking, and telemetry, empowering developers to manage every stage of a game’s lifecycle, from launch to live ops and growth.
Room 8 Group always takes a consultative approach to co-development – making every technical decision based on what brings the greatest value and efficiency to the client, rather than relying on predefined service offerings.
“We partner with leading technology providers to ensure our clients have access to the most effective solutions. Pragma’s platform brings clear benefits in scalability and player engagement, and we see real potential in implementing it within future projects.”
Anna Kozlova, CEO at Room 8 Group.
As online functionality and live services have become a part of many modern games, Room 8 Group continuously explores new tools that reduce time-consuming and costly custom development while preserving each game’s unique character.
“Room 8 Group’s deep technical expertise and proven ability to integrate our solutions across different client needs and technology stacks makes them an ideal partner for Pragma. Together, we’re enabling studios to deliver connected, high-quality gaming experiences faster, more efficiently, and at greater scale.”
Eden Chen, CEO at Pragma
Together, Pragma and Room 8 Group are building the infrastructure that helps studios ship faster, operate smarter, and deliver better player experiences.
The post Room 8 Group partners with Pragma to strengthen online game development capabilities appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Continent 8 Technologies, a leading provider of cutting-edge managed IT solutions designed for the global iGaming and online sports betting industry, announces the promotion of David Brace to its executive leadership team.
In his new role, Brace will serve as practice lead for AWS solutions, spearheading the company’s continued expansion and innovation within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) ecosystem.
The news follows Continent 8’s selection as an official AWS Solution Provider under the Solution Provider Program (SPP). This has enabled Continent 8 to augment its AWS portfolio, including Managed AWS Workloads, Managed Hybrid Network and AWS Cloud Migration.
Michael Tobin, CEO and Founder at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “Over the past eight years at Continent 8, David has consistently demonstrated a deep and nuanced understanding of technology, infrastructure, and the regulatory landscape – both on industry panels and directly with our customers. His expertise is widely respected, and this promotion is a well-earned recognition of his contributions.
“David’s elevation to the executive team comes at a pivotal moment for our business, as we sharpen our strategic focus on cloud innovation. He is the ideal leader to drive our AWS practice forward, bringing vision, experience, and a customer-first mindset. With continued investment in this area, we’re committed to delivering AWS solutions that are secure, scalable, and tailored to the unique demands of the iGaming sector.”
David Brace, Chief Alliance & Partnership Officer, AWS, at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “I’m honoured to join the executive team and lead our AWS practice. The iGaming industry is evolving rapidly, and cloud adoption is central to that transformation. Our goal is to simplify the journey for our customers – whether they’re launching in new markets, navigating regulatory frameworks, or scaling their operations globally. With AWS and Continent 8’s combined capabilities, we’re uniquely positioned to deliver.”
Continent 8 has vast experience in delivering AWS solutions to the industry. The company has already delivered 90% of AWS Outposts in the industry to major brands in the regulated betting and gaming market, including FanDuel, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, and Hard Rock Digital.
Meet David Brace and members of Continent 8’s AWS practice at AWS re:Invent 2025, 1-5 December in Las Vegas.
The post Continent 8 promotes David Brace to Executive Team appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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