New research by Survation has found that approximately 60% of people in Northern Ireland would support a blanket ban on gambling advertising. The survey, which was revealed at the launch of a Stormont inquiry by the All Party Group on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling, also found that 80% of survey respondents believe there should be a limit on how …

XLMedia has continued to feel the effects of Google’s ‘manual ranking penalty’ on its corporate trading, but remains optimistic on its objective of delivering ‘a material recovery in financial performance in 2021’. Publishing its 2020 interim statement (period ending 30 June), the affiliate marketing publisher detailed that the combined effects of COVID-19 and Google ranking penalties had resulted in monthly …

ESA Gaming has strengthened its games portfolio after confirming the release of its latest football-themed EasySwipe title, Goal Mine. Goal Mine, which has been inspired by computer classic Minesweeper, will ‘challenge players to race across the pitch for a chance at goal’. Zorica Smallwood, CEO at ESA Gaming, said: “The upcoming launch of Goal Mine is something we are very …

Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) has teamed up with the Leeds United Foundation to educate and safeguard young people across Yorkshire on safe gaming and gambling-related harms. The new partnership will aim to help teach and inform young people, teachers and parents about the risks associated with intensive gaming and gambling harms, as well as information on safeguarding …

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has cancelled the licence of Playbay Malta Limited, which operates HDbets.com, after the regulator identified ‘systemic deficiencies’ in its adherence of AML/CFT obligations. As part of the ruling, Playbay Malta will no longer be authorised to carry out any gaming operations, register new players or accept new customer deposits. However, the regulator specified that it …

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has issued sanctions against ‘37 offending parties’ following its investigation into the ‘historical abuse of a bug in CS:GO’s spectator mode’. Having contracted the services of Michal Slowinski, the discoverer of the wrongful use of this exploit, ESIC has confirmed that it has reviewed 20% of the total demos available for review, which the integrity …

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has broadened its reach to social media users after partnering with Facebook to create guidance aimed at limiting the number of gambling-related adverts that users see. The guidance will aim to mitigate the risk associated with gambling-related messaging and advertisements on social media. It will offer information on how users can utilise Facebook’s safety tools …

John Heaton, Chairman of Scotbet, has stated that Scotland’s independent bookmakers are facing a fight for survival, as businesses enter an unprecedented autumn and winter trading period. Bookmakers in Scotland were permitted to reopen their doors in June – however, with current government restrictions, Heaton stated that ‘there is no end in sight to the economic calamity that Covid has …

Caesars Entertainment has confirmed that it will move forward with an initial £2.9 billion ($3.7bn/€3.3bn) offer to acquire US wagering partner William Hill Plc outright. Closing Friday trading, William Hill confirmed to markets that Caesars alongside US private equity fund Apollo Global, are the two suitors seeking to buyout the heritage UK bookmaker. Caesars has confirmed that it has concluded …

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has welcomed a new report published by the European Commission (EC) which has found a significant reduction in ‘unintentional advertising on intellectual property rights infringing websites’. The report analysed the impact of an industry-led Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), initially agreed in 2018, which ‘was established with the purpose of limiting advertising on websites, …