Author: Daniel Williams

Lately, Australian gambling companies have been willing to demonstrate to the Governments and the public that they remain committed to funding so-called good causes, including education, arts, health and sports initiatives. Currently, Australia is one of the countries where gambling legislation requires gambling firms to donate some of their revenue to community and charitable causes. However, recently-published research provided some data regarding the contributions of gambling companies in the state of Victoria during a 3-year period. The research was aimed at determining how much of the money categorised as benefits…

The Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group has issued a warning to the local racing industry to boost its plans to offset the negative impact which a withdrawal without an agreement would have on the sector. This happens with less than a month to the planned exit of the UK from the EU. According to the Group, the companies which operate in the industry that British and Irish racing would suffer a significant blow should the Government fail to reach an agreement with European Union leaders. The withdrawal of the UK…

A new report has revealed that around 30,000 Leeds residents are exposed at risk of gambling-related harm. The report, published by Leeds City Council, has also estimated that there are currently around 10,000 gambling addicts in the city and that local young people, as well as adults with mental health issues and the ones on low incomes, are the most vulnerable members of society, which makes them most at risk. The newly-unveiled report showcases results from research that was carried out by Leeds Beckett University to study the prevalence of…

As of today, October 1st, the National Gambling HelpLine, which is funded by the largest UK gambling charity organisation GambleAware and run by GamCare, is extending its working hours. It is to become operational on a 24-hours a day basis and anyone who needs help to deal with their harmful gambling habits would be able to reach the Helpline via webchat or on the service’s free telephone line. Information, advice and support will be provided on the HelpLine around the clock to everyone suffering from gambling-related harm, regardless if they…

Northern Ireland will see a public consultation held by a Stormont department on the extremely large rates of problem gambling. CARE NI, a Christian charity operating in the region, has provided more information about the proposals at a time when local Members of Parliament are preparing to have a debate on a recent report which has provided more details on the inadequacy of the current gambling legislation in Northern Ireland and highlighted the urgent necessity for reforms. As reported by the Belfast Telegraph, Mark Baillie, a charity’s police officer, has…

Councillors from Glasgow are set to review the powers the authority has to impose stricter measures on omnipresent gambling advertising. As revealed to some Glasgow Council members by one of the consultants for the Scottish Public Health Network, Dr Michelle Gillies, gambling is currently more prevalent among British youngsters than drugs, alcohol and smoking. Gambling has even been described as a significant public health issue, so city councillors supported the calls for more serious measures to be unveiled in Glasgow in order for the problem to be dealt with. A…

AFC Wimbledon dismissed Wally Downes from his position following allegations of violating the betting rules of the Football Association (FA), with the former football manager facing only minimal compensation because the club has engaged him on a non-contract basis. According to media reports which appeared in the Daily Mail, Downes had not inked a contract at the time he joined the football club in December 2018 due to a disagreement which occurred between him and the club over potential bonus payments. Wally Downes was suspended from his position after facing…

The South Australian Government has made a move under which banknotes will be allowed to be used by local gamblers in poker machines for the first time under proposed new gambling legislation. Under the proposed changes, the State Government would give local clubs, hotels and the Adelaide Casino to install poker machines which accept not only coins but also notes. The move, however, has fuelled strong criticism from welfare groups, crossbenchers and anti-gambling campaigners who claim that such a move would provide the hotel industry with an advantage that could…

Earlier this week, the Australian Communications and Media Authority revealed its findings that Melbourne-based online sports radio provider SEN+ had breached existing gambling advertising rules. The local regulatory body held an investigation into the advertising practices of SEN+ during the Australian Open and found that the online sports radio broadcaster, which is currently owned by the Pacific Star Network (PSN), aired a gambling promotion during its online audio coverage of the women’s quarter-final at the Australian Open on January 23rd, 2019. The most recent rules of the ACMA were brought…

Recently, anti-gambling campaigners have been insisting that the gambling sector in the UK, and particularly, sports advertising and gambling sponsorships, needs stricter regulation such as the one available for tobacco products. Research into the strong impact which advertising gambling and tobacco products have on society, and especially on the awareness, intentions and attitudes of young people towards these products, prompted some legislative changes which put an end to the relationship between tobacco and sports. However, as previously reported by Casino Guardian, the gap left in the market by the cigarette…