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The racing industry of New Zealand is seeking a legislation change to allow it to boost its national share of poker machines to no less than 10% and to also roll out betting on virtual horse races. This happens at a time when local sports bodies, community groups and problem gamblers could emerge as the major losers in the second round of racing industry reform which is expected to be officially passed into law at the beginning of 2020. The second round of gambling reform legislation would see two reforms…

A parliamentary committee headed by Lord Grade, an ex-BBC chairman, which is currently investigating and assessing the impact which the gambling industry has issued a call for evidence. The Select Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry is looking through areas such as the Gambling Act of 2005, the relationship between sports and gambling, as well as funding for research, education, prevention and treatment of gambling addiction. The House of Lords’ Committee is asking various questions related to the effectiveness of the existing Gambling Act, the…

According to the register of businesses kept by the Office for National Statistics, more gambling businesses started operation in Nottinghamshire in 2018, despite rising concerns about increased gambling participation and problem gambling rates. The information in the register shows that there were around 105 gambling businesses in the area in 2018, with this marking an increase from the 100 gambling operations which existed there in 100 a year earlier. Still, in spite of the short-term increase, the Office for National Statistics revealed there was actually a decline in the number…

A recent report which New Zealand’s Ministry of Health funded has revealed that gambling among youth in the Pacific region could be described as a social activity which takes place mostly with their friend and family members. According to the research results, over 50% of the 17-year-old participants in the survey said that their parents placed bets. One in five felt anxiety or worry about the gambling habits of a family member, while one in nine had faced at least one house problem originating from the gambling habits of a…

The New Zealand Government has revealed a new strategy aimed at reducing gambling harm through peer-support networks, technology pilots and residential care for gambling addicts. As announced by the Associate Health Minister Jenna Salesa today, the strategy is set to start on July 1st and will cover three years. Also, an NZ$60-million package to help problem gamblers, especially in Pacific and Asian communities, was announced. The funding would come from the levy paid by gambling operators, including local casinos, non-casino gaming machine operators, the New Zealand Lotteries Commission and the…

Today, a new report issued by the UK Gambling Commission has revealed that gambling operators and the ones who lead them would have to improve the customer support they offer to players who are at risk of gambling-related harm and make sure they comply with anti-money laundering rules. The gambling regulator’s “Raising Standards for Consumers Enforcement Report” provides an overview of the enforcement work which the Commission has undertaken over the past year. In addition, the report also provides some pieces of advice for operators. Today we have published our…

Recent data shows that only 20% (one of the five) of the Health and Social Care Trusts on the territory of Northern Ireland has data records related to gambling addicts. The massive failure in policy was revealed after the Christian Action Research and Education charity organisation filed a number of Freedom of Information requests. The responses to the requests have shown that the Southern Health and Social Care Trust was the only one that had records of 72 people who had sought help to deal with their problem gambling over…

A spokesman for the Maltese Responsible Gaming Foundation revealed that more than 1,000 local gamblers have filed applications to be suspended from casinos and other gaming parlours to try to beat their gambling habits. According to the Foundation’s spokesman, the trend for self-exclusion requests has been increasing over the recent years. This could be a good thing, as people who have problems with gambling could be realising the needs for some professional help for them to deal with the addiction. Under the existing gambling legislation in Malta, every gambler who…

The National Health Service (NHS) is set to open the first clinic for treating young problem gamblers aged from 13 to 25. The move comes as part of the nationwide expansion of support for gambling addicts and part of the NHS long-term strategy under which 14 clinics are planned to start operation around England. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has previously explained that providing people who suffer from problem gambling with easy access to professional treatment and support is a matter of paramount importance. In addition, spreading gambling addiction has…

Two months after the Great Britain Gambling Commission (GBGC) announced the launch of the new National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms, an independent commission has been set to deliver evidence examining the impact of problem gambling on crime. The new Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling will run for three years under former Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith QC. The inquiry into the links between problem gambling and crime comes at a time when the gambling industry is facing increased scrutiny and regulation in the country with the FOBT ruling earlier…