As I write this, we are just two weeks into the new year – or indeed the new decade, as some would have us believe. Either way, what a start it’s been for the UK gambling industry! We ended 2019 with confirmation that the newly elected Conservative Party government intends to act speedily to fulfil its General Election manifesto promise …
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There are times when writing a monthly column for SBC News presents a challenge. This is one of those months. It’s not because of the paucity of potential content. It’s because of the sheer volume of potential content. As it happens, there is a common thread running through all that I write about below, particularly with a General Election looming …
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HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published its national statistics update on duties generated by the industry’s seven different tax verticals – Bingo Duty, Gaming Duty, General Betting Duty (GBD), Lottery Duty, Machine Games Duty (MGD), Pool Betting Duty (PBD) and Remote Gaming Duty (RGD). Reporting betting & gaming tax statistics for the six month period of April-to-September 2019, HMRC reports …
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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has reminded industry stakeholders of new rules related to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) measures, customer interactions and funding requirements as part of its updated licence conditions & codes of practice (LCCP). The Commission’s latest LCCP changes have been mandated following an open consultation seeking to improve industry standards and operator transparency. Updating stakeholders, the Commission reminds …
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The Gambling Commission has recently announced that it is reviewing the operating licences of (a) FSB Technology (UK) Limited (who voluntarily suspended activities on their Blackbet white label website) and (b) EveryMatrix Software Limited (in relation to which the Commission also suspended their ability to offer B2C remote betting and casino gaming, including pursuant to white label arrangements). Following on, as they …
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The UK Gambling Commission has recently announced forthcoming changes to its Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (“LCCP”) intended to: raise standards for alternative dispute resolution – coming into force on 31 October 2019, strengthen requirements on how licensees identify and interact with customers who may be at risk of or experiencing gambling harms – also coming into force on 31 October 2019 …
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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has outlined a number of new licence conditions and codes of practice (LCCP) following an open consultation with the wider industry. The new LCCPs will look at ‘raising standards for alternative dispute resolution (ADR), strengthening requirements on how licensees identify and interact with customers who may be at risk of or experiencing gambling harms, and …
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I have lost count of the number of times over the last year that I have urged clients, potential clients, conference audiences (and, quite frankly, anyone else involved in the UK gambling industry who is prepared to listen) to read the Gambling Commission’s first-ever Enforcement Report, published back in June 2018. I’ve told them that it is essential reading material …
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Issuing an industry update, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has moved to clarify its position on free-to-play (FTP) games being promoted through affiliate marketing verticals. The commission is aware that licensed operators have benefited from industry advertising models, in which affiliate marketing partners have offered FTP versions of real money games as a method of engaging audiences. The UKGC reminds …
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Industry figureheads and wider health and education stakeholders addressed the issue of whether ‘the gambling industry is giving players enough control?’ – at the latest meeting of the Parliamentary All Party Betting and Gaming Group –APBGG – (7 May 2019). The subject matter was discussed by Sarah Hanratty, Chief Executive Officer at the Senet Group; Damon De Ionno, Managing Director …
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