Nearing the end of its three-year strategy, GamCare has highlighted the last 12 months of the initiative as ‘an incredible period of change, growth, and of course, recent challenge’, citing a number of major developments for both itself and the industry. Identifying a number of ‘key sector developments’ for 2020/21 in its Trustees Annual Review, the gambling harm awareness charity …
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Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has called on Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak to introduce a ‘Budget for Jobs’ to the House of Commons on Wednesday. In a statement this morning, Dugher reiterated his long-held argument that the regulated betting and gaming industry is ‘ready, willing and able’ to assist the UK Treasury …
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Former Arsenal Captain and Sporting Chance founder Tony Adams has identified problem gambling as the biggest addiction concern for the current and next generations of football players. Speaking on Bryony Gordon’s Mad World podcast for the The Telegraph, the ex-player outlined his view that gambling poses a bigger addiction threat to football players than drugs and alcohol. Based on his …
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Regulatory developments in the European sports betting gaming sector have created both hurdles and opportunities for the continent’s operators, as the UK and Germany implement restrictions while the Netherlands opens its doors. Publishing its latest report, ‘European Sportsbook Opportunities in an Increasingly Complex Scenario’, BtoBet highlighted the potentially lucrative market of the Netherlands – where football and other sports have …
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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has suspended the operating licence of BGO Entertainment effective immediately – citing concerns that the operator may be unsuitable to carry out licensed activities. Issuing a statement, the Commission confirmed that BGO had been placed under its licensing review in accordance with Section 116 of the 2005 Gambling Act. BGO’s immediate suspension has been authorised …
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Following reports that the DCMS is moving to ban sponsorship arrangements between betting companies and Premier League football clubs, Bolton Wanderers has moved to sever its ties to the industry. In place of its links with the betting and gaming industry, Bolton will instead seek to form partnerships with charities and organisations specialising in betting addiction treatment. Although making its …
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In response to an investigation into the collapse of BetIndex, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced that it will make changes to its regulatory oversight of digital gambling products. The Independent Review highlighted a number of areas for improvement from both the UKGC and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In response to the review’s recommendations, the UKGC has introduced …
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As we await the supposedly soon to be published White Paper arising from the UK Government’s current Review of the Gambling Act 2005, we can only guess what will be proposed in terms of its stated aim to achieve “an appropriate balance between consumer freedoms and choice on the one hand, and prevention of harm to vulnerable groups and wider …
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John Whittingdale, the DCMS minister overseeing the review of the 2005 Gambling Act, has been removed from his position in PM Boris Johnson’s latest cabinet reshuffle. The minister will be returning the backbenches, and will allegedly be replaced by former Cabinet Office Parliamentary Secretary Julia Lopez, MP for the Greater London constituency of Hornchurch and Upminster. Despite her promotion to …
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As the review of the 2005 Gambling Act makes its way through the various stages of parliamentary proceedings, there is one thing on everyone’s mind: will the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) enforce the changes that the gambling industry really needs? Or will the industry’s current stigma bring about unwanted reform? With the findings of the review …
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