Author: Daniel Williams

The popular English singer and songwriter James Arthur has seen his gambling habits put to the test during the coronavirus lockdown. Reportedly, the 33-year-old Arthur gave in to the stress he felt during the Covid-19 crisis and got “carried away” on playing on poker apps during the period of social distancing. He got so addicted to using the app that he spent £370 every couple of hours on the apps. James Arthur himself revealed that at the beginning of the lockdown associated with the coronavirus pandemic he got so hooked…

Anti-gambling campaigners shared that casino venues are at risk of becoming poker machines dens as venues justify falling patronage for the necessity to cut the gaming table numbers. This issue was highlighted in recent submissions to the local Gambling Commission after the operator of the Grand Casino – Dunedin Casinos Management Ltd – applied to vary its operating licence. The casino was willing to slash the mandatory requirement to feature at least one operational gaming table for play between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM. One of the main reasons that…

New data provided by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) revealed that operators of poker machines in the south part of Auckland generated profits estimated at AU$21 million over the first three months of 2021. The figures are broken down by south Auckland’s local board areas, including Manurewa, Papakura, Franklin, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu and Ōtara-Papatoetoe. Reportedly, the numbers have declined from the ones registered in the previous quarter (the fourth quarter of 2020), when so-called pokie venues in south Auckland generated over AU$26 million. This equalled electronic gaming machine profits of AU$252…

Australian gambling operator Tabcorp revealed that it does not intend to oppose a potential ban on credit card use for gambling transactions in the country, as long as local newsagents were still allowed to offer lottery tickets to customers. The betting, media and lottery company further noted that the quick switch towards online gambling during the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for more serious measures to be taken by the Federal Government to keep Australian people protected against gambling-related harm. As previously reported by Casino Guardian, the Parliament is…

The UK Charity Commission has brought the regulatory action against the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) to an end after it found no reason for further investigation. The regulatory body had responded to a complaint that challenged the relationship between YGAM and the trade body representing the gambling industry in the country, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC). The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust replied to the complaint by sharing that its close relationship with the gambling industry standards and trade body were necessary to make sure…

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced further data about the impact that the evolving coronavirus lockdown measures have had on British customers’ gambling behaviour. As the regulatory body revealed, the operator data reflects the period from March 2020 to May 2021 and covers both retail (where relevant) and online gambling operator data. The UKGC further noted that the data has taken into account the fact that land-based premises have been allowed to open only recently since the closures that took place in December 2020. The regulator also explained that…

The Irish Prime Minister has suggested that an all-party legislature (Oireachtas) committee could take into consideration ways of implementing stricter regulations to the gambling industry. Taoiseach Micheál Martin further noted that the country’s Government will examine a Labour Bill that seeks to suspend gambling advertising. Mr Martin described problem gambling as a “terrible illness” that has a detrimental impact on individuals and their families. The scrutiny on the gambling sector is also set to include the introduction of a special gambling regulatory body. The news about the possible implementation of…

British residents over the age of 60 seem to be turning to their mobile devices and gaming controllers to escape reality, new research initiated by energyhelpline.com says. Gambling is getting more popular among elderly people who are willing to improve their mental health and tackle loneliness. The older punters in the UK now seem to be spending an average of eight hours gaming per week, which is just 45 minutes a week less than the time spent by the nation’s youngest gamblers in the age range from 16 to 29…

Recently, the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins has said there are serious matters to be considered when it comes to sports betting advertising at a time when the country regulators have started a gambling sector overhaul. The statement was issued after earlier in July the Irish President appeared at a 34-unit gambling rehabilitation centre, which is hosted in Wicklow and run by the Tiglin charity organisation. At the time, he also discussed some gambling-related matters and criticised the large number of gambling adverts aired on television. At first, his…

A Scottish academic, who has called for the UK Government to make a gambling reform is now supporting a stricter regime to be imposed on video games that lure young people into spending money on so-called loot boxes. The social scientist at Glasgow University, Dr Heather Wardle, has said that, in her opinion, loot boxes should be age-restricted for individuals under the age of 18, after a study she had held suggested that children and teenagers feel controlled by game developers who only encourage them to spend money through buying…