Last night, the long-awaited conclusion of the UK government’s review of the gambling industry was put under the spotlight by Newsnight – the BBC’s flagship news and current affairs review programme. Dedicating a 30-minute segment to “the government’s rethink of gambling laws”, Newsnight reported on the “cost of gambling addiction and opportunities for reform”. Led by BBC correspondent Anna Collison, …
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As the cost of living crisis continues to affect millions across the UK consumers are continuing to tighten their belts – including buying less National Lottery products, according to Camelot. Although the outgoing operator recorded sales of over £8bn for just the second time in the National Lottery’s history, the figure of £8.090.7m for the 2021/22 financial year marked a …
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Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has initiated an executive search to replace Chairman Roger Lewis, who will resign from duties leading its board at the end of the year. A former BBC and ITV executive, Lewis has served on the RMG board since 2012 and was appointed chairman in 2019, leading the media rights organisation through the unprecedented challenges of the …
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The subject of problem gambling returns to UK primetime terrestrial TV screens, as BBC One will air tonight its “Paul Merson: Football, Gambling & Me” (9 pm) programme. The documentary will recount the former footballer’s latest relapse into gambling addiction, triggered by the anxieties of COVID-19’s national lockdown, in which Merson has admitted to losing his entire earnings and life …
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The Big Step campaign has written to ITV bosses ahead of the UEFA 2020 European Championship semi-final clash between England and Denmark, calling for no gambling advertising to be shown. Citing the fact that it is estimated that over 20 million people across the UK watch the England national team, including many children, the campaign – an initiative of the …
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BBC and ITV have agreed a four-year deal in principle with Six Nations Rugby for the renewal of the rights to the annual tournament. After entering ‘exclusive discussions’ with the UK broadcast incumbents, Six Nations Rugby confirmed that the new four-year term will begin in 2022 and run until the 2025 edition of the event, covering the men’s and women’s …
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The FA Women’s Super League (FA WSL) will be broadcast on by the BBC and Sky Sports, under the terms of a ‘landmark’ agreement with the Football Association (FA). Under the terms of the three-year deal, Sky will provide coverage of 44 fixtures, with a minimum of 35 broadcast across its Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and …
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The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has extended the tenures of John Baillie and Catharine Seddon as commissioners of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for a further year. Baillie and Seddon have served on the UKGC board since 2016, having been appointed by former DCMS Secretary John Whittingdale under the cabinet of PM David Cameron. A former …
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The Premier League has confirmed an extension to its agreement with respective broadcast partners to show the remainder of the 2020/21 season in the UK until supporters can safely return to stadiums. Primary rights holders Sky Sports and BT Sport will continue to show the majority of matches, whilst streaming platform Amazon and the BBC will carry additional games. “The Premier …
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As the third nationwide UK lockdown continues, the Premier League has made the decision to continue providing televised coverage of all matches. The announcement follows the earlier decision by Richard Masters, the league’s Chief Executive, to keep playing games behind closed doors for the remainder of the season. Spectators were able to return to stadiums in a limited capacity of …
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