Editorial: UKGC Management and Policies Push UK Players towards Offshore/Crypto Gambling Platforms

Editorial: UKGC Management and Policies Push UK Players towards Offshore/Crypto Gambling Platforms

The scale of affordability checks imposed on gambling and racing punters has been described as disproportionate by various industry and market analysts following increased criticism faced by the competent authorities. The country’s gambling regulatory body has also been condemned for its position on the issue, especially after a recent survey revealed that 1 in 6 of its respondents have been asked to provide financial documents as evidence for their source of wealth. Recently, the chief executive officer of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Andrew Rhodes, has shared that the implementation…

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Much of Problem Gambling in the UK Remains Hidden While Strong Industry Lobby Gains Trust amid Online Gambling’s Rising Popularity in 2022

Much of Problem Gambling in the UK Remains Hidden While Strong Industry Lobby Gains Trust amid Online Gambling’s Rising Popularity in 2022

In the years after the door to online gambling was opened in the UK, the industry has boomed amid intense lobbying in favour of the sector in front of local lawmakers. However, the nation is also living with the menace of problem gambling and gambling-related harm although there has been alarming evidence about the rising gambling participation and gambling addiction rates in the country. Several years ago, Ireland-based gambling operator Paddy Power led the transformation of the betting industry into a digital universe where anyone with a smartphone had access…

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UK Gambling Industry Continues the Major Shift to Digitalisation amid Impact of Macro Trends

UK Gambling Industry Continues the Major Shift to Digitalisation amid Impact of Macro Trends

At the end of November, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), published a report presenting evidence about the most recent changes in the country’s gambling landscape. The publication reflected on the shape and size of the UK gambling industry, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the impact of macro-economic trends on customers’ gambling behaviours. The UKGC revealed that, according to the Government’s Participation Survey 2021 to 2022 annual report, approximately 15 million people gamble on products licensed under the country’s Gambling Act 2005, approximately the same number…

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Editorial: Future of Genesis Affiliates Programme Seems Dim Amid Ongoing Partner Payment Delays

Editorial: Future of Genesis Affiliates Programme Seems Dim Amid Ongoing Partner Payment Delays

It seems that no one can really tell what is happening with Genesis Affiliates Programme. The company has been keeping its silence lately but an increasing number of its partners are becoming more and more vocal about an ongoing issue with their due payments, after not receiving them in a few months. The problem with the affiliate programme’s payments has put a question mark over the company’s future which seems more and more uncertain after many of the operator’s partners have shared their concerns about the lack of payments over…

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Editorial: The Ban on National Lottery Products for 16- and 17-Year-Olds Could Encourage British Children to Try Other Forms of Gambling

Editorial: The Ban on National Lottery Products for 16- and 17-Year-Olds Could Encourage British Children to Try Other Forms of Gambling

For a few months now, underage individuals in the UK have been no longer able to purchase products of the National Lottery. The rule change that was implemented by the UK Government in October 2021 was aimed at tackling the in-person sale of National Lottery tickets and scratchcards for people aged 16 and 17, who have so far been able to buy such products. As unveiled by the competent authorities last year, the minimum age for playing the National Lottery and purchasing scratchcards has been raised from 16 to 18.…

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UK Gamblers on Edge Due to Proposed Affordability Checks for Online Gambling

UK Gamblers on Edge Due to Proposed Affordability Checks for Online Gambling

At the beginning of April, Government sources confirmed that local lawmakers are likely to propose affordability checks for vulnerable gamblers who bet online as part of the long-awaited overhaul of the country’s gambling laws. Days later, the UK gambling regulator confirmed it would launch a consultation on the proposed affordability checks for the industry. Although the measure has been considered as part of the UK Government’s efforts to provide better protection to problem gamblers, not everyone was glad to learn that. According to Government sources, the proposed affordability checks would…

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Editorial: How Will UK Gambling Operators React to Recent Celebrities and Sports Stars Ban in Advertising?

Editorial: How Will UK Gambling Operators React to Recent Celebrities and Sports Stars Ban in Advertising?

Earlier this month, the UK advertising watchdog announced that gambling and betting operators in the country will not be allowed to use celebrities, including top football players and other athletes, reality TV stars and social media influencers, in their marketing campaigns. The move has been taken as part of the regulator’s policy aimed at protecting the most vulnerable social groups from gambling-related harm. The latest changes, set out by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), also included a ban on displaying specific clubs’ football kits and stadiums in gambling ads,…

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Editorial: How Does the Removal of Autospin Feature Affect UK Casino Players?

Editorial: How Does the Removal of Autospin Feature Affect UK Casino Players?

In February 2021, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced a package of changes aimed at enhancing the controls and protections for the customers of online gambling operators. The regulator of the UK gambling industry unveiled the changes after holding a consultation with the public, some representatives of the gambling sector and other stakeholders because it felt that the gambling operators need to face tougher player protection measures that could make online casino games safer by design and less intensive so that players are given better control over their gambling. At…

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Boris Johnson Possibly Stepping Down, Betting Odds on New Prime Minister

Boris Johnson Possibly Stepping Down, Betting Odds on New Prime Minister

Boris Johnson’s name has been embroiled in a scandal after the rule-breaking, which seems to be taking place under his office after the Coronavirus outbreak. After weeks of gaffes, political mess, and allegations, the prime minister’s future is still rather unpredictable, still more since he is yet to come clean about what actually happened. Now, the prime minister of Great Britain has a lot of questions to answer after the revelations that have led to a police investigation and official inquiry. It is expected that as a result of the…

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