Author: Daniel Williams

According to new figures released, gamblers in the Macedon Ranges and Hume lost over AU$121 million on gambling machines over the past fiscal year. Recently, the state’s gambling regulator – the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) – released its latest statistics regarding customers’ losses and expenditure for the 2018-19 financial year. According to the data unveiled, the losses of local residents amounted to approximately AU$2.7 billion, with the figure representing an increase of AU$3.5 million in the previous year. This is a 0.13% increase on poker machine…

Recent research has shown that a warning slogan that has been aired along with gambling adverts hardly does anything to lessen the amount which punters place as bets. The study, which has been carried out by experts at the University of Warwick aimed at measuring the effect of the responsible gambling message of the British gambling sector “When the fun stops, stop”. Unfortunately, the academics who were engaged in the research found that there was hardly any considerable effect on people’s gambling behaviour. In addition, experts did not find it…

The restrictions on gambling ads during live TV broadcasts of sporting events in the UK have come into force. The Ashes Test cricket series played between Australia and England is the first major sports competition subjected to the newly imposed ban. Under the new regime, gambling-related advertising before 9 pm is prohibited throughout the entire duration of the sports matches. The restrictions kick in five minutes before a given game starts and end five minutes after it finishes. The ban applies to reruns and highlights of the events as well.…

A UK problem gambler who was sued by his former employer for theft landed a new position as a casino employee. The 24-year-old Daniel Harrington helped himself to more than £10,000 while working as a chef manager at an eatery operated by Dine Contract Catering. Harrington worked for the Warrington-based catering company for three years. During this period, the now-former employee developed mental health issues and a severe gambling problem. Harrington, originally from Oldham, was tasked with cashing up the eatery’s proceeds and delivering financial reports to the employers. Harrington’s…

After Boris Johnson took office as prime minister last week, he appointed new ministers and as part of the cabinet reshuffle, Nigel Adams has resurfaced as the new Minister of State for Sport, Media and Creative Industries. Adams, however, will be responsible for gambling in name only, as gambling, horse racing, and lotteries now fall under the portfolio of Rebecca Pow MP. The Government confirmed the appointing of Nigel Adams, a Member of Parliament representing Selby and Ainsty (New Yorkshire) as the new sports minister. Replacing the incumbent Mims Davies,…

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission will be reviewing the licenses of seven bookmakers who have failed to verify customers’ age during testing. The betting operators in question have allowed a 16-year-old customer to place a bet, which is why they will now face regulatory action. The Age Verification tests were conducted last month and included a total of 17 betting operators located at the Royal Ascot racecourse. They were carried out by officers from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in cooperation with the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC)…

A sinking lid policy on pokie machines could be adopted in New Zealand’s Tasman District as gambling-related harm is believed to be affecting hundreds of individuals within the district. The restriction is part of the District Council’s draft Gambling Venues Policy, which is scheduled to go for public consultation next week. The proposal was made in October 2018 by a committee, which told council members to introduce a sinking lid policy instead of a cap on the number of electronic gaming machines. This approach, although supported by local authorities across…

Victorian residents are spending more money on electronic gaming machines, reporting the second-highest losses since these games were first introduced. Gamblers across the state have lost nearly AU$2.7 billion in the 2018-19 financial year, new statistics reveal. This is a 0.13 per cent increase on losses recorded for 2017-18, which seems insignificant, yet it translates to approximately $3.5 million. The data was released this week by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation and according to the numbers, residents of Greater Dandenong have lost the most – $907 on…

Researchers in Australia have launched a new study into the wider impact of gambling and problem gambling, in particular. They will be looking into the families of gamblers in the state of New South Wales, which is home to around half of all Australian electronic gaming machines, commonly known as pokies. In a press release on Thursday, the Centre for Gaming Research at the Australian National University (ANU) announced the launch of a new study that would look at the harmful effects of gambling on gamblers’ families and partners. The…

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced on Wednesday it would be holding a consultation with the public and industry stakeholders on the use of credit cards for online gambling. The regulator is considering an outright ban on credit card gambling but said it would be taking input from the gambling industry under advisement before taking further action. In a statement, Paul Hope, Executive Director at the UKGC, explained that the consultation process, which starts in mid-August, would help the Commission decide on the measures needed to eliminate the risks…