Author: Daniel Williams

The UK Government has rejected a proposal tabled by the Treasury Committee at the House of Commons to regulate crypto retail trading in the same way gambling is currently overseen. At the time when it denied the proposal, the Government highlighted that it strongly disagrees with the position shared by the Committee. In mid-May, a number of British lawmakers urged the Government to regulate the UK cryptocurrency market like gambling. At the time, the Treasury Committee issued a report saying that crypto investment activity pretty much poses the same risk…

Concerns regarding live sports (including horseracing and soccer) broadcasts have recently emerged, following a proposed ban on gambling advertising in Ireland. After the ban was initially rejected in January 2023, Ireland’s Department of Justice (DoJ) expressed its willingness to back the further advancement of the Gambling Regulation Bill as part of this year’s Justice Plan of the country just a few months later, in April. The proposed piece of legislation includes a bunch of measures that aim at protecting local gamblers and preventing them from spending too much on gambling…

The UK gaming industry has shared plans to try and bring some restrictions to children’s access to loot boxes. Loot boxes are special in-game items that provide players with the opportunity to purchase some extras to enhance their gameplay. These extras, however, are randomly assigned, with some campaigners being concerned about the potential links between loot boxes and problem gambling. Apart from that, loot boxes require players to pay with real money in return for the digital items they get. However, players are not aware of what they are getting…

The Government of New South Wales (NSW) has been even more eagerly called to discard its “unnecessary” cashless gambling card trial and take stricter action on the planned poker machine reform, especially after the state of Victoria recently announced massive changes aimed at fighting illegal money laundering and tackling gambling-related harm. According to Tim Costello, a long-time anti-gambling campaigner, the changes in Victoria have now put the focus on the NSW Labour Party, which has so far refused to introduce sweeping changes unveiled by the previous Government of Premier Perrotet…

The state Government of Victoria has announced some widespread reforms that are set to be brought to the electronic gambling sector. The changes will include new mandatory pre-commitment limits for local people, who would be allowed to spend no more than AU$100 on an electronic gaming machine at one time. In comparison, the current spending limit is set at AU$1,000. Apart from that, the use of a special card will be mandatory for so-called pokies, with the Government expecting to see the measure help prevent money laundering through local gaming…

Earlier this week, the UK Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Code and the British Code of Advertising Practice (BCAP) published some technical updates to the lottery advertising rules and the inclusion of individuals to are or seem to be under the age of 25. The two bodies explained that the planned changes will have no impact on the current advertising policies and practices, and said that the changes are aimed at making the existing rules clearer for Code users. The promotion of lottery products has been always strictly regulated, with…

Michael Dugher, the chief executive officer of the UK gambling industry’s trade body, shared that he supported the evidence-led approach of the Government to its White Paper on gambling. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) which represents the UK gambling sector has addressed some Members of Parliament’s recent accusations, saying there is no evidence to support an alleged link between problem gambling and advertising of sports betting services. The chief executive officer of the main lobby group of the country’s gambling industry told the Culture, Media and Sport Committee that…

Several media outlets in Australia could lose gambling revenue streams in case the Federal Government supports some parliamentary committee’s inquiry calls to suspend trailing commissions. News Corp and other media outlets that refer people to gambling companies through adverts usually receive a commission when punters subsequently lose money. According to reports, the commission in question can reach 30% of punters’ net losses in some cases. In 2011, an Australian parliamentary committee shared its concerns about so-called affiliate payments but the practice continued without further measures to be taken. The value…

The main group that has been lobbying for the UK gambling sector has faced accusations of making inaccurate statements linked to the regulation of the industry only a day before its boss is set to appear before a parliamentary committee. The chief executive officer of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), Michael Duger, is expected to appear before the select committee for culture, media and sport later today, with Members of Parliament set to ask him some questions as part of a review of UK Government’s proposals aimed at improving…

Australian gamblers who are willing to ban themselves from their harmful habit will be able to do so for their entire lifetime. Only several months after the Federal Government made an effort to ban the use of credit cards for online gambling services, and weeks after the final report of the inquiry into online gambling was unveiled, BetStop is set to become operational as of August 21st, 2023. The national self-exclusion register, which is being launched ahead of upcoming football finals and the racing carnival that is scheduled to take…