Author: Olivia Cole

In mid-April, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced that a special consultation on proposed affordability checks for the local gambling industry was set to be launched. At the time, the country’s gambling regulator unveiled that the consultation was set to cover three matters of priority that were linked to the proposal – financial vulnerability, binge gambling and significant unaffordable losses generated by British gamblers. The move was made after the watchdog responded to a previously released consultation on remote customer interaction, and another 10-week consultation that was aimed at getting…

As previously revealed by Casino Guardian, the completion of Blackstone’s acquisition deal of Crown Resorts has been delayed because the US private equity firm had to provide evidence to the Australian watchdogs that it is suitable to run the operations of the Australian casino giant. As a result of the delay, Blackstone will have to wait three more weeks in order to receive the necessary approvals from the country’s competent regulatory bodies. For the time being, Crown Resorts has operations in the states of New South Wales (NSW), Victoria and…

In the midst of an expanding cost-of-living crisis, financial struggles resulting from the global pandemic, and increasing interest in online gambling, UK individuals are expected to be exposed to a higher risk of gambling harms. To prevent gambling harm, GambleAware introduces a set of six new principles, with a mandatory gambling levy being one of them. The organisation also called for an expertise coalition that would help combat inequality. The supposed levy of 1% should be applied to Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) and would generate about £140 million per year,…

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) revealed that online gambling is currently at its highest-ever rate in the country, with 1 in 4 British people placing wagers. According to information unveiled by the UK gambling regulatory body, 25.7% of the 4,018 survey participants aged 16 or above had gambled online over the past 4 weeks. This was an increase from the 23.8% who placed bets over the same period in the previous year, and from the 18.5% in the previous 5 years. As part of the survey, the 4,018 respondents were…

News Corp Australia is advancing towards the launch of its bookmaker after it agreed on a partnership with the gambling pioneer, Matthew Tripp. Meanwhile, BetEasy’s former chairman is speculated to be the chief executive of the new bookmaker that may soon overtake the Australian market. The news about the agreement between News Corp and Tripp came after the news and media company of Rupert Murdoch spent more than a year in search of a gambling partner for the launch of its bookmaker. After the major company considered several potential candidates…

Online casinos in the UK could face a crackdown on exploiting the superstitions of local gamblers after the country’s advertising regulatory body rolled out an investigation into a gambling company’s claims regarding certain games being “hot” or “cold”. As revealed by The Guardian, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) s likely to back a complaint lodged against PlayOJO 7 months ago. According to the complaint, in 2021, the gambling operator promoted a feature that provided customers with a unique chance to see the games on winning streaks. At the time, PlayOJO’s…

Casino Canberra has lost its tribunal appeal in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) after being ordered to compensate a long-time employee for discriminating against him. About 3 years ago, Bryan Bradford Kidman, an employee of Casino Canberra for almost 20 years, raised concerns regarding the rights of casino workers amid a potential ownership change of the gambling venue. At the time, he informed a local media hub – The Canberra Times – that the casino’s employees had received no information regarding staffing levels, working conditions, and wages. The long-time worker…

The gambling regulatory body of New South Wales (NSW) investigates venues of Marlow Hotel Group and their practices to lure problem gamblers hooked on so-called pokies with cash and alcohol. This is not the first time when Marlow Hotel Group falls under the scrutiny of the NSW gambling watchdog. Recently, the company has become a target of the regulatory body for a different, and yet similar, reason. The operator, which owns The Rose and Crown, has already faced an AU$107,358 fine for offering problem gamblers illegal loans and alcohol drinks…

The newly-selected UK National Lottery licence holder has warned that sanctions associated with the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine could have a negative effect on the business. The Czech Republic-based Allwyn Entertainment, which is currently the largest lottery operator in Europe, was recently announced by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) as the regulator’s preferred choice for the holder of the National Lottery operating permit for the next 10 years. However, the military conflict in Ukraine has raised certain questions over the alleged links of Allwyn’s sister company to the Russian…