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The number of New Zealand video game addicts who turn to the Problem Gambling Foundation for help is increasing, because most district health boards do not offer treatment for the problem. Earlier this year, in June, gaming disorder was officially classified as a mental health condition by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO described gaming disorder as a condition when gaming takes precedence over other activities and a player no longer can control their gaming habits in spite of the fact that they experience negative side effects because of…

The Irish National Lottery has raised concerns related to the growth of so-called “bet-on-lottery” services. Such services allow players to place a bet on a lottery draw without purchasing a lottery ticket. According to an independent research which has been carried out by the leading independent economic research organisation Indecon, has found that National Lottery games have suffered a decline of approximately 13% of the annual gambling and gaming expenditures generated in Ireland. Apart from that, the survey has also found that the country has one of the highest awareness…

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) once again reminded that the ongoing National Responsible Gambling Strategy is to come to an end in March 2019. This is why the gambling regulatory body has started developing a new national strategy aimed at reducing gambling-related harm in order to ensure better protection for local players. The UKGC explained that its business plan remains committed to the new strategy development and remains aimed at driving and encouraging process within its area of operation. The watchdog, however, reminded that it is only one of the…

In an attempt to tackle gambling addiction, the small borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth is now looking into legal measures for restricting the local gambling industry. Councillors in the Central English district have decided to set up a working party, which would review the sector and its impact on people’s lives. Following a report by communities manager Rachel Jackson, the Council of Nuneaton and Bedworth, a borough in Warwickshire, West Midlands, has agreed to look into the gambling industry. In the paper, Jackson cited figures from a recent nation-wide research,…

Members of Parliament from the House of Commons have revealed that a special committee is to set to investigate the rapid growth of what they called “immersive and addictive technologies” in video games. In addition, the committee is to provide the UK Government with advice on the policy and regulatory standards that it needs to follow in order to make sure the wider public is protected from the possible negative effects of “gamification”. A new inquiry into addictive new technologies is being launched by Members of Parliament from the Digital,…

Only days ago, the biggest gambling firms in the UK have agreed for a “whistle-to-whistle” TV advertising ban after facing increased criticism for their aggressive user-targeting strategies. As Casino Guardian already reported, the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) made an announcement about the agreement, saying that the decision has been made after local gambling companies faced an increased pressure in regards to their adverts aired during live sports events. According to some experts, the advertising ban should only be the start of more major changes in sports betting, and especially in…

The prevalence of problem gambling among international students in Tasmania is several times higher than the rates estimated for the entire adult population in Australia, figures from a recent study have revealed. Male international students, in particular, are much more likely to be problem gamblers, researchers explain, adding that nearly 15 per cent of them struggle with some form of compulsive or problem gambling. The survey, conducted by researchers at the Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania (UTAS), polled 1,395 students of the university and found that 56.3 per…

Following a recent report by the UK Gambling Commission on children and gambling trends, multiple news outlets have concluded that children’s exposure to loot boxes in video games could pave the way to underage gambling. The annual statistics released in late November show an alarming trend – roughly 450,000 children aged 11 to 16 gamble regularly and 1.7 per cent of youngsters could be classified as problem gamblers. Gambling participation in children aged 11 to 16 in the United Kingdom has risen in the past year, according to the Gambling…

Christchurch Casino is now seeking to renew its license that, if granted, would allow it to operate for another 15 years. This was the first casino in New Zealand when it opened in 1994 and now, it is the first one to apply for a licence renewal before the Gambling Commission. The current gaming license of Christchurch Casino expires on November 4, 2019, and in order to continue operating at the same location, the venue is required to renew the licensing documents. Earlier this year, its operator Skyline Enterprises filed…

Today, Paul Fletcher, the Social Services Minister of Australia, has officially announced a new national register scheme for Australian people who are trying to exclude themselves from gambling. The register is to be established to provide local residents with the chance to stop gambling by voluntarily excluding themselves from the entire available range of gambling platforms and applications as part of a wider range of stricter industry standards that the Government is to introduce over an 18-month period. Australian state governments have welcomed the long-expected reforms aimed at tacking the…