Author: Daniel Williams

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has welcomed the recently unveiled figures confirming the fact that gambling addiction rates in the UK have remained historically low. As Casino Guardian reported last week, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) reported that its latest research found problem gambling rates to have remained as low as 0.2% in the year to June 2022, which is the lowest gambling addiction rate registered in the country over the past few years. The figures were released amid the expected White Paper from the UK Government’s review of…

The Labour Government of Australia, led by Premier Daniel Andrews, has rolled out a trial programme for people who are dealing with the negative consequences of gambling. The programme, which is especially aimed at residents of Victoria State’s city of Ballarat, involves tailored treatment and support services for everyone experiencing gambling-related harm. The pilot trial programme was officially launched by Melissa Horne, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Michaela Settle, Member for Buninyong, and Juliana Addison, Member for Wendouree. It is aimed at providing applied health professionals…

Tougher new gambling harm minimisation measures have been especially unveiled for online gambling and betting service providers by the Victorian Government, with the rules also being gladly welcomed by the Maribyrnong City Council. The aforementioned measures include a requirement for online gambling service providers to provide their customers with monthly statements regarding the activity in their accounts. On the other hand, gambling companies’ employees would have to pass special training to promote responsible gambling to customers, under the program called Responsible Service of Wagering Training. The City of Maribyrnong’s mayor…

The English Premier League (EPL) has received a last-minute plea from over 100 victims of gambling addiction as talks regarding a previously-suggested voluntary ban on the display of gambling sponsorships on football club shirts have lately intensified. More specific proposals on the issue are set to be presented in full to club executives by the end of the day, but campaigners have shared their concern that the proposed measure will be rejected after two EPL clubs – Everton F.C. and Fulham F.C. – have recently struck gambling sponsorship agreements. Other…

Since the end of the month, every Australian online gambler will receive a detailed monthly statement about their winnings and losses. As of July 31st, everyone who holds an online gambling account in Australia will start receiving a monthly statement notifying them about how much money they have won and lost. The statements will be sent as part of the measures that were introduced in the 2018 Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering in Australia in an effort to tackle constantly rising gambling addiction rates in the country. This is…

According to data released earlier this week, the UK National Lottery donated almost £2 billion to good causes during the previous financial year (2021/2022). The overall amount distributed in the form of contributions by the National Lottery over the 12 months that ended on March 31st, 2022, was estimated at £1.84 billion. When compared to the funds donated to good causes for the 2020/2021 fiscal year, there was an increase of less than 1%. According to a breakdown released by the National Lottery, the highest amount donated to good causes…

The Children’s Commissioner for England – the non-departmental public body that is responsible for protecting and promoting the rights of children, has joined the fight against video gaming’s in-game items, also known as loot boxes. The organisation harshly criticised the Government’s decision not to suspend harmful microtransactions and noted such a decision puts children in danger. As Casino Guardian reported earlier, the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced that, for the time being, loot boxes will not be banned in the UK. The body announced that instead…

TAB New Zealand, the current sports betting sector monopoly, has revealed that it is trying to convince the country’s Government to overturn gambling legislation that will prevent local consumers from placing bets on novelty markets. John Williams, general of marketing and customer experience at TAB New Zealand, said in an interview for the local media website Stuff that the monopoly is currently participating in a legislative process that could eventually result in more relaxed gambling legislation. Mr Williams further shared that the country’s sports betting monopoly hopes to start taking…

New South Wales (NSW) is set to roll out a trial of cashless slots gambling, as local officials are willing to see whether the measure can help the reduction of money laundering and problem gambling in the state. The newest initiative to introduce cashless gaming terminals in the state will be carried out by West Group’s Newcastle club. The program is set to start in August and will include several hundred players. According to reports, it will implement a specialized digital wallet that is aimed at helping with the prevention…

On Sunday, July 17th, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) issued a press release to urge online gaming operators to invest more efforts in order to ensure safe and responsible gambling. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries also called for companies to take action and stop offering in-game items known as “loot boxes” in video games to children without specific parental consent. According to Ms Dorries, in-game purchases must be unavailable to children and young people in the UK unless they are specifically approved by a parent or a…