Lack of Economic Alternatives Made the UK Government Allow Gibraltar’s Transformation into Thriving Online Casino Destination

Lack of Economic Alternatives Made the UK Government Allow Gibraltar’s Transformation into Thriving Online Casino Destination

A financial crime author has recently accused the UK of turning Gibraltar into the largest online casino on a global scale because of the increased interest of some gambling companies in the destination. In his book “Butler to the World”, the researcher and financial crime author Oliver Bullough suggested that Gibraltar had been turned into the “world’s biggest online casino” by the UK. Then, in an interview with Público, a Spanish news agency, Mr Bullough explained that British authorities started recognising gambling and betting activities as harmful because of their…

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Greyhound Races in Scotland May Get Banned After Dogs Found Drugged with Cocaine

Greyhound Races in Scotland May Get Banned After Dogs Found Drugged with Cocaine

After racing dogs were found with doping, including several cases of dogs being drugged with cocaine, Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (SAGE) campaigners called for the complete ban on greyhound races in Scotland. The activists from SAGE issued their request for the ban on greyhound racing to the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee. The campaigners claim the reason behind the call for the complete ban of such events is the lack of proper regulation and no protection of the animals that suffer from injuries and doping. Greyhound Doping Tests…

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High Court Judge Says Expediting Legal Proceedings against the UKGC over National Lottery Licence Decision Would Be Unfair

High Court Judge Says Expediting Legal Proceedings against the UKGC over National Lottery Licence Decision Would Be Unfair

The current holder of the operating licence for the UK National Lottery – Camelot – faced a legal setback earlier this week because a London judge decided not to side with the company’s request to fast-track legal proceedings against the country’s gambling regulator. On April 19th, a High Court of Justice of England and Wales judge said that rushing out the legal proceedings against the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) over the watchdog’s decision to grant the fourth National Lottery operating licence to Allwyn would not be the right thing to…

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Introduction of Cashless Gambling Cards in NSW Put on Hold

Introduction of Cashless Gambling Cards in NSW Put on Hold

The proposal for a cashless gambling card was controversial enough to cause a division in the Perrottet government. However, the new gaming minister is to dump the compulsory pokies card with NSW favouring opt-in digital payments. The reform introducing cashless gaming cards was introduced in 2020 by Victor Dominello, NSW Customer Service and Digital Minister. The cashless payment method was supposed to have both recreational players and high-risk gamblers charge funds into their respective smart cards. The cashless pokies cards were just a part of a larger-scale plan to introduce…

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Australian Children Are Lured into Accepting Gambling as Part of Sports, Tim Costello Warns

Australian Children Are Lured into Accepting Gambling as Part of Sports, Tim Costello Warns

Long-time anti-gambling advocate Tim Costello has warned that Australian codes still claim that sponsorship deals with gambling and sports betting operators are crucial for keeping premier sports alive in the country. The sponsorships and the fact they have been heavily promoted to the public have helped create ties between gambling and sports, with particular focus on the Australian Football League (AFL). As a result of all this, Australian children start accepting gambling as something normal from a young age, not to mention they are left to believe that gambling and…

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National Lottery Competition Transperancy Comes Under Question Due to Suspicious Ties to Russia

National Lottery Competition Transperancy Comes Under Question Due to Suspicious Ties to Russia

Last month the UK Gambling Commission chose Allwyn as the new licence holder of the National Lottery. The new lottery operator is due to head the entity after the licence of the current operator, Camelot Group, expires in 2024. Following an investigation by the Mail on Sunday, it was revealed that the chair of the Committee for the Fourth National Lottery Competition, Stephen Cohen, had some ties to Russia. The new operator of the National Lottery is Allwyn Entertainment, which is a company established and operated by the Czech oil…

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UKGC to Roll Out Consultation on Proposed Affordability Checks for the Gambling Industry

UKGC to Roll Out Consultation on Proposed Affordability Checks for the Gambling Industry

The regulator of the UK gambling sector is set to roll out a consultation on proposed affordability checks for the industry. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) revealed that the consultation on one of the hottest and most controversial topics associated with the local gambling sector will cover 3 areas that have been considered a priority – financial vulnerability, significant unaffordable losses on gambling, and binge gambling customers are actually unable to afford – as well as the proposed thresholds for action for each one of them. The industry watchdog made…

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The Number of British Women Accessing Gambling Treatment and Support Rises by 6%, GamCare Reports

The Number of British Women Accessing Gambling Treatment and Support Rises by 6%, GamCare Reports

GamCare, a problem gambling support charity in the UK, revealed that the number of women accessing gambling support in the UK has risen by 6% over the last year. The charity organisation, which currently provides professionals with various training sessions on gambling, also found that the majority of participants – a stunning 85% – have actually improved their understanding of gambling-related harm and their skills to identify women who need treatment or support for their compulsive gambling habits. The figure was provided by inFocus Consulting following an independent evaluation. The…

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UKGC Unveils New Rules for Online Gambling Businesses to Act on At-Risk Customers

UKGC Unveils New Rules for Online Gambling Businesses to Act on At-Risk Customers

Today, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has unveiled new rules on action for gamblers who are considered at risk of being most affected by gambling-related harm. The gambling regulatory body of the UK announced that the new rules are scheduled to come into effect on September 12th, 2022. The UKGC further noted they are expected to ensure better protection for more vulnerable customers who are at risk. Apart from the rules themselves, the UK Gambling Commission is also expected to issue new guidance for companies operating in the sector in…

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New Suicide Prevention Plan Consultation Seeks to Take Gambling, Social Media Use and Covid-19 Effects on Brits’ Mental Health into Account

New Suicide Prevention Plan Consultation Seeks to Take Gambling, Social Media Use and Covid-19 Effects on Brits’ Mental Health into Account

UK Ministers will consider gambling and social media as potential risk factors while working on a new suicide prevention plan. Reportedly, the harmful effect of the coronavirus pandemic that was inflicted on local people’s mental health will also be taken into account in the first update to the suicide prevention plan in 10 years. According to experts who have been advising the UK Government, focusing on issues such as gambling, online safety, and Covid-19 pandemic effects reflected the changes in the pattern in suicide risks. The suggestion has been made…

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