Author: Daniel Williams

New South Wales (NSW) gambling reform campaigners have accused the gambling sector of making a complaint of poverty over a recent proposal to cut money laundering and problem gambling in the state. According to gambling reform advocates, have severely criticised the ClubNSW’s modelling that a suggested mandatory gaming card in the state would cost about AU$1.8 billion, as well as thousands of jobs. The Commissioner’s report into Crown Resorts that was prepared by former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin recommended the implementation of a cashless gambling card. Ms Bergin suggested…

The move of Ōtorohanga to bring some changes to its existing gambling policy has faced the opposition of the Problem Gambling Foundation and the District Health Board of Waikato. In October 2020, the Ōtorohanga District Council voted to change its former “sinking lid” policy, during the scheduled review of the policy that takes place every three years. Local council members made a decision to shift to a policy that would make it possible for them to control the increase of so-called poker machines in venues and consider any new proposals…

A poll commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) revealed most Brits oppose the government telling them how much money they can spend on betting. Conducted by the British research and analytics firm YouGov, the survey established that only 27% of Great Britain’s residents favour the imposition of betting limits, while approximately 51% were against it. These results may pressurise the UK authorities into dropping the proposed restrictions, which may cost the local racing industry £100 million in annual losses. Over 13,000 public submissions on the proposed affordability checks…

New reports published by GambleAware today highlight the necessity of normalising responsible gaming across all stages of customer communication. According to the organisation, this is of vital importance for the ongoing success in the battle against problem gambling. Commissioned by GambleAware itself, the reports were delivered by the multidisciplinary research agency Revealing Reality and the Behavioral Insights Team (BIT). The reports contain input from five major UK-based gambling operators – Betfred, Buzz Bingo, 888, Genting Casino, and Gamesys. The Revealing Reality agency worked closely with the five operators between the…

The coronavirus pandemic has had a pronounced negative effect on the retail betting industry in the United Kingdom, causing a shift toward the online segment. The London-based bookmaker William Hill is one of the companies that have suffered a severe blow revenue-wise since the pandemic started. The company reported its annual revenue from the retail sector has plummeted by 51%, dropping to £1.1 billion. The operator suffered over £29 million in adjusted losses from its retail arm alone. The company currently operates more than 1,400 retail bookmaking shops in the…

A study carried out by the researchers from the George Institute in Australia shows that many Aussies tend to underestimate the harm that can be caused by games like bingo, scratch cards or lotteries. Most Australians consider activities like buying lottery tickets, scratchies or visiting a bingo hall as normal forms of fun. What they fail to grasp, however, is that such gambling products can often lead to very serious issues, especially among vulnerable individuals. Aussies Fail to Recognise the Harm of Popular Forms of Betting The study was conducted…

A minister from the Conservative Party, who once backed the idea to allow fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) at amusement arcades and motorway service stations is to lead an important review of gambling legislation in the UK, The Guardian revealed. Reportedly, some proponents of gambling reforms have expressed their concern after the information that the minister for media and data John Whittingdale is being put on charge of the long-awaited gambling laws’ review by Nigel Huddleston, the sports minister, almost three months after the official beginning of the review. Campaigners have…

A recent announcement that non-essential retail operators in the UK, including high-street betting shops, will be able to apply for direct financial help of up to £6,000 each has been welcomed by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC). The trade body that represents the local gambling sector has also once again urged the UK Government to extend the business rates relief for one more year. The announcement of the grant scheme, along with some additional information, has been revealed ahead of the annual budget speech of chancellor Rishi Sunak that…

According to recent reports, losses on poker machines in the state of Victoria have not only reached but also surpassed pre-pandemic levels after the coronavirus restrictions were lifted in the state. Reportedly, local gamblers have spent a total of AU$239 million in January 2021. As revealed by one of the leading gambling experts in the state, money laundering could be at least partly responsible for the increased losses of Victorian gamblers after the lockdown measures were eased. Reportedly, local gamblers spent AU$15 million more than the money lost in January…

Lawrence Shankland, a striker of Dundee United FC, has shared that more needs to be done in order for young football players to get familiar with the possible harm related to gambling. Speaking to the founder of Gamtalk UK, a company engaged with gambling prevention, the Scotland football player explained that he saw his ex-co-players spend their wages on betting. Shankland said that, in his opinion, football authorities need to make sure they warn young footballers against the potential harms that could be inflicted on their lives as a result…