Author: Daniel Williams

The discussion document which the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has issued on web-based gambling in New Zealand has faced a lot of criticism lately. On one hand, the paper has been strongly criticised by public health advocates, who believe that it is putting some focus on making the online sector easily accessible for companies which operate in New Zealand rather than looking for ways to tackle gambling-related harm. On the other hand, digital rights advocates have slammed the Government, saying that it is threatening to suspend access to offshore…

According to the reporting system maintained by the Health Service Executive, the number of people who have been treated for problem gambling has risen to a record high. Records have shown that there have been over 250 cases of treatment for gambling addiction in the units of the health service in Ireland in 2018. Gambling, along with drugs and alcohol, has been addressed to as a problem issue on the Health Service Executive’s reporting system. The latter has shown records of almost 1,750 cases of gambling being considered the main…

Recent reports of upcoming no-deal Brexit have caused quite a turmoil not only in the UK but across its Overseas Territories. Reportedly, the Government of Gibraltar has been very troubled with the prospects of a no-deal Brexit, which the Chief Minister has already regarded to as the “worst-case scenario”. The political and economic complications that would follow from Great Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU) without a deal, called “Operation Yellowhammer”, have been what the Gibraltar Government fears the most. According to authorities, such a move would have a…

Reports have shown that online gambling is becoming more popular in New Zealand, but in anti-gambling campaigners’ opinion, the new Government has been focused on regulating the sector in a way that would be good for the industry, rather than in a way that would provide people with maximum protection against gambling-related harm. An increasing number of New Zealand citizens have been pouring money into offshore casinos and sports betting websites which provide them with the chance to gamble online. According to recent reports, New Zealanders have spent a total…

A new study has found that literally tens of thousands of children are involved in liking or sharing social media posts from betting companies which offer odds on competitive gambling. A total of 888,000 messages associated with betting which were published on Twitter in a period of nine months in 2018 were analysed by a think tank from the University of Bristol and Demos. These messages were regarding betting on both traditional sports and esports. As revealed by the team which was engaged with the review and analysis of the…

Only recently, it became clear that it is quite possible that Waipā does not see a sinking lid policy implemented for poker machines. At a Waipā District Council committee’s meeting, which took place last week, there were debates whether the district’s Gambling Policy should be changed so that a sinking lid rule is included. However, it seems that the committee prefers to keep its existing policy. A sinking lid policy means that the competent authorities would not be able to issue any new poker machine licences. Under the rules of…

Australian gambling behemoth Tabcorp revealed that the introduction of online betting taxes has restored “rationally” to the betting sector of Australia and is helping it be more competitive to the rivalry of online betting operators. The company revealed that its lotteries and keno operations helped it compensate for the lower profits generated by its bookmaker division in 2018. It also shared that the TAB and Ubet brands of the operator were forced to offer some special incentives to customers in order to keep them interested and prevent them from betting…

A hearing which took place earlier today saw Ruth Forrest, Murchison Independent MLC and committee chairwoman, question some Department of Treasury and Finance representatives about the expected impact which revenue raised from new gambling licences would have on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Tasmania. An inquiry into the impact which the Commonwealth GST distribution system has on the expenses and service delivery in Tasmania is being held by a Legislative Council select committee. At the hearing which took place on August 12th, the committee has heard that the…

The number of customer complaints about UK gambling operators has increased by nearly 5,000% over the past five years, with compulsive gamblers claiming that local bookmakers still use various enticements such as special offers and bonuses to attract them even they have asked to be excluded from the companies’ mailing lists. According to some UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) figures that have been obtained by BBC Panorama, there has been a massive increase in the number of complaints over the past half a decade. Their number rose from 169 in 2013…

In the light of recent involvement of English football superstar Wayne Rooney with an online casino brand, the shadow sports minister shared an opinion that the relationship between gambling operators and football has gotten out of control. This week it became clear that the 33-year-old footballer is set to have the number 32 on his shirt at the time when moves to Derby County as player-coach in January. Currently, the Gibraltar-based betting company 32Red is a shirt sponsor of Derby County, so Rooney will wear the number 32 in honour…