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New data released after an investigation by The Sunday Times showed that some of the largest gambling operators in the UK use popular cartoon and storybook characters in their online gambling offerings in order to target and attract children. Reportedly, British gambling operators are taking advantage of a loophole in the current gambling legislation that provides them with the opportunity to promote children-appealing games without practically breaching the rules implemented by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). To date, betting stakes vary from £0.01 to £600. Even more disturbing is the…

A 50-year-old Post Office employee embezzled approximately £50,000 from her employers in order to fund her gambling addiction. At first, Sara Cautley-West had the intention to only borrow the money from the McColl convenience store in North Hull, but eventually fell to an addiction which also cost her sister her job. As revealed by the Hull Crown Court’s prosecutor Stephen Welch, the Post Office worker was addicted to online fruit machines and bingo and used to bet on a daily basis, gambling from £50 to £100 at a time. The…

The Coatbridge-based recovering problem gambler Martin Paterson joined a campaign that calls the Government to initiate further changes in the UK Gambling industry. The 58-year-old former compulsive gambler confessed he became addicted to fixed-odds betting terminal (FOBTs) more than a decade ago, in 2005. He revealed that he used to spend the amount of £100 on a daily basis to fuel his addiction for years. Mr. Paterson shared his hopes that the UK Government report that is expected to be published until the end of October is to bring certain…

According to a recent report commissioned by the Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG) cited by The Guardian, the staff working at local betting shops are not properly trained to recognise gambling addicts. Even worse, betting shops staff often encourage customers to bet more eagerly or use gaming strategies that simply do not work. The rising concerns of the industry about the gambling operators that try to deal with problem gambling came at a moment when the UK Government has had its hands full with the gambling industry report that…

Yesterday, the Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG) announced some enhancements that have been implemented to the Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising. The improvements are intended to form part of the Code’s third edition that is scheduled to be put into action by the end of the year. The Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising was initially made a decade ago. Its second edition was officially introduced in 2016, with a number of extra measures presented as well as further commitment to the review process at the time. As…

More than 600,000 signatures have been gathered to back a proposed constitutional amendment that is aimed at put limits to the gambling market’s expansion in the state of Florida, according to amendment’s supporters. The amendment has been proposed by the political committee Voters in Charge. According to the Committee, the proposed changes are currently over halfway towards the 1.1 million signatures goal set, in order to reach the necessary number of 766,200 valid petitions to see the proposed amendment appear on the 2018 General Election ballot. Voters in Charge Committee’s…

Council leaders from the Local Government Association (LGA) have called for greater restrictions to be imposed on gambling advertising in order for better protection for young people to be ensured. Considering the increasing popularity of gambling advertising as well as the fact that young children often watch sports events, the Local Government Association has been focused on taking measures that would prevent young people from being affected by possible gambling addictions. According to an industry research, almost one in ten children between the age of 11 and 15 are followers…

It seems that not all hope is lost for Pennsylvania’s gambling expansion. Reportedly, the budget negotiations in the state could finally lead to a deal that would see a revenue package that includes a small gambling expansion, while tax increases that were initially part of the original Senate’s plan would probably be dropped. According to media reports, ten new “mini casinos” could be created under a possible budget deal primarily in rural areas of the state of Pennsylvania. What is more, the gambling market of the state could see online…

The National Lottery of Ireland has swayed to profitability once again after registering falling sales and fighting a privatisation process which brought a lot of controversy for several years. The National Lottery has also faced certain difficulties as a result of a change brought to its playing format. Now, the Premier Lotteries Ireland-run franchise has reported a 12% rise in its turnover, with the latter reaching €750 million in 2016 thanks to increased interest of local players to Lotto tickets and scratch cards, as well as an increase in sales…

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which is currently the major gambling industry regulatory body in the country, is aimed at improving its communications and consultations. The Commission published some information about the overhaul, with its executive director Tim Miller explaining the regulatory body’s decision to actually listen to the industry and other licensing authorities, as well as its partners and consumers and to take their recommendations in account. Mr. Miller further shared that the Commission carried out a survey in 2016, asking its stakeholders for their opinions on the tools…