News

Earlier today, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) published the latest gambling industry statistics to unveil more detailed information on each sector which it regulates. The country’s gambling watchdog publishes its industry statistics twice a year, in May and November. The latest data provided by the regulator cover the period between October 2017 and September 2018 and include online gambling services. The official statistics published by the UKGC have been compiled thanks to the data provided by British gambling licence holders through their regulatory returns. The UKGC revealed that the total…

Recent research has shown that one in 25 teenagers may be facing gambling-related harm. At a time when online betting and extensive advertising has made gambling in sport look normal to customers, more underage individuals are being negatively affected by the issue. The last few years have seen a significant increase in gambling participation and problem gambling rates among teenagers to the point where about 75% of underage individuals believe gambling is just a normal part of sport. Teenagers who are currently in year 10 to 12 at Ballarat Christian…

A disciplinary hearing is to be faced by the Dee Why RSL Club after an investigation has been held into accusations of irresponsible gambling practices which have allegedly led to the death of one of the club’s customers in 2018. Gambler Gary Van Duinen committed suicide after he had a 13-hour gambling session at the club, which his family members had previously asked to do something to prevent him from gambling there any more. The gambling regulatory body in the state, the Liquor and Gambling NSW has commissioned an investigation…

A woman who has been trying to deal with the negative consequences of gambling is now calling for more to be done to help female problem gamblers, saying that compulsive gambling is mistakenly considered as a problem which affects mostly men. The 31-year-old Katie Clarke sought professional help for her problem gambling in July 2018. However, she was surprised to see that gambling addiction actually lacked publicised support, especially when it comes to female gamblers. Ms Clarke has revealed that her compulsive gambling habits led her to a £25,000 of…

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) remains committed to its strategy to reduce gambling-related harm and guarantee that local customers are well protected against possible negative consequences of gambling. It was only last week when the regulatory body revealed that it has imposed s number of significant penalty packages totalling £4.5 million to companies which operate in the online gambling sector. The move was taken as part of the widespread regulatory actions of the Commission against companies which failed to make sure they put in place effective measures preventing money laundering…

The executive chairman of Sky Bet shared his concern with the fact that the gambling industry as a whole had not been very supportive to people who suffer from problem gambling. In an interview for BBC News, Mr Flint said that the sector had not done enough to look after gambling addicts and suggested that gambling operators should consider providing some funding to a network focused on gambling treatment. According to the boss of one of the largest online gambling businesses in the UK, a network of gambling treatment centres…

As part of the recent reforms introduced in the state of Victoria, sports betting companies will be fully suspended from directly marketing online services to local users unless customers opt in. In addition, sports betting businesses will no longer be permitted to offer so-called “free bets” which require customers to continue playing with the possible winnings. In a few days, the Government of Daniel Andrews is set to launch a bunch of tougher regulatory rules targeting online gambling. The measure comes as a result of a deal agreed a couple…

Leigh Clewlow from Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, was handed a suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of theft, a result of his serious gambling addiction. The 35-year-old man stole money and jewellery from his family to cover a £20,000 gambling debt after losing his job and marriage. Gambling addiction, which affects around 400,000 people in the United Kingdom according to official data, has been associated with mental health problems, job loss, financial debt, and even criminal behaviour. The latest case to come to light is of Leigh Clewlow, a 35-year-old man…

Inverclyde Member of Parliament Ronnie Cowan has addressed the largest bookmakers in the UK and challenged them to provide more support to gambling addiction services through contributions from their profits. In a letter to William Hill, bet365, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and BetFred, MP Cowan states that each one of these five companies is responsible to make sure that their customers are protected against gambling-related harm so they have to guarantee that such negative consequences are minimised. The Scottish politician’s initiative comes after revelations that the voluntary scheme, under which gambling…

The UK Labour Party believe that all online casino businesses should have to reapply for a gambling operating licence. The suggestion was made following the revelations of the British gambling industry regulatory body which said that more than one-third of the licensees were found to be failing their customers. The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson, has sent a letter to both the Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright and the CEO of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), questioning the integrity of a large number of operators, most of which…