Regulus Partners observes mixed messages from the NHS on treating problem gambling, as bosses have raised concerns on increased referrals to their specialist clinics for gambling disorders, suggesting a misuse of facilities. NHS bosses have committed to expand the network of problem gambling clinics to 15, yet concerns remain on the NHS’ strategy which has seen it marginalise third sector …

Betfred has affirmed its commitment to continue reviewing its portfolio of over 1,400 retail betting outlets as it maintains a steady recovery post-COVID. The company’s 2021/2022 accounts reveal a four-fold increase in corporate profits, leaping from £5m to £20m. This surge is largely attributed to the unrestricted reopening of its high street betting shops following 2021’s lockdown restrictions. This return …

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) maintains its schedule for 2023, announcing that it will launch its first consultations on the implementation of the Gambling Act reforms this July. Tim Miller, the UKGC’s Executive Director on policy development, made the announcement writing a blog post on the Commission’s website. Miller confirmed that the Commission had completed its first deliverable providing its …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has launched its new Horseracing Career Development Programme at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk. The programme will be led by the British Racing School for a period of two weeks and will provide guidance to 17 students seeking to forge a career in racing, who will be “immersed in all aspects of the industry”. Students will …

Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s Gambling Inspectorate, has ordered Zimpler AB to stop processing payments for unlicensed online gambling operators or face a fine of SEK 25 million (€2.2m) Zimpler, an authorised payment services provider of Finansinspektionen, Sweden’s Financial Supervisory Authority, is accused of breaching the rules of BankID-enabled transactions. An investigation found that Zimpler had facilitated BankID payments to unlicensed gambling companies. …

The Parliamentary Investigation Commission (CPI) examining betting fraud and match-fixing scandals in Brazilian sports will not convene until August. The decision was announced by Arthur Lira, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who cited that the CPI investigation had been “pushed down the legislature’s list of priorities”, choosing to focus on policies related to fiscal matters. From 18 July, …

Swedish gambling has recorded its lowest advertising coverage since 2016, according to new data from the Gambling Inspectorate, Spelinspektionen. The gross advertising spend on traditional media platforms for 2022 saw Swedish gambling operators invest SEK 3.4bn (€280m) into advertising activity. Of distinction, the 2022 ad-spend figure is less than half of the SEK 7.3bn (€620m) recorded in 2018, when Sweden …

The government has pledged to reorganise the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) to become a more capable and intelligence-led regulator overseeing UK Gambling’s statutory remit and future challenges. David Whyte Senior Associate at Harris Hagan, provides his legal eye on which new or enhanced regulatory powers will be granted to the Commission and its impact on licensees adjustment to UK gambling’s …

Entain Plc has pulled out of negotiations to acquire a majority stake in Slovenian monopoly sportsbook operator Športna Loterija.  The FTSE100 gambling group confirmed to STA, Slovenia’s Press Agency, that it had ended  negotiations with the Ministry of Finance. The announcement comes after the Ministry of Finance stated on Friday that all applications to acquire a stake in Športna Loterija had …

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) will collaborate with Victoria Police in combatting betting-related match-fixing in esports within Australia. The agreement sees Victoria Police support ESIC, a not-for-profit organisation comprising government bodies, national federations, and event organisers, in its mission to safeguard the integrity of the burgeoning esports market. ESIC will provide real-time betting alerts to Victoria Police’s Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit …