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A recent study has suggested there are some practices used by video games developers and providers, including real-money gambling, token wagering, social casino spending, etc., which are considered significantly associated with problem gambling. As revealed by the study, the potentially dangerous links to gambling addiction have been originating from a range of video game practices. The latest findings came from a research building on a previous study by the same author, Dr David Zendle, which has revealed that a link between loot boxes offered in some video games and problem…

With the recent controversy surrounding Australians’ addiction to poker machines, information that the coronavirus lockdown may lead to permanent closures of the machines fuelled some discussion. Problem gamblers who have been hooked on pokies have been reported to be happy that the machines had been switched off because of the Covid-19 shutdown, and many anti-gambling campaigners have shared concern that with health restrictions being relaxed, more and more pokies across the country will be reopened. Of course, owners of clubs and pubs that host poker machines have gladly welcomed the…

Earlier this year, on April 29th, 2020, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) issued a response to the consultation under which the removal of condition 2.1.1 in its remote key equipment policy was proposed. The condition in question requires licensees to file an application for a variation of their gambling equipment licence when adding or changing the location of key equipment to a different jurisdiction. As part of the proposal made at the end of April, the gambling watchdog proposed that the regulator would no longer require gambling equipment licence holders…

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) revealed that on July 9th it started a consultation on changes to the design of online slots machines as part of its efforts to make them safer for British players. Now, the gambling regulatory body is seeking public input on the matter, as it would like to know the opinion of as many people as possible how to ensure greater protection from gambling-related harm that could be inflicted to more vulnerable consumers from online slots. The consultation that was officially opened yesterday on the gambling…

An Australian financial planner who blew millions on sports betting apps had his betting account frozen and finally revealed the secret he has been keeping from his family and closest friends for almost four years. Gavin Fineff, a 41-year-old senior financial planner, has been highly respected for his professional skills but his life changed drastically three months ago when he revealed to his family and friends that he had lost a lot of money, some of which was not even his own. The amount that totalled over AU$8 million was…

A British gambling charity organisation has urged local banks to strengthen their card blocking systems that were unveiled to help and protect individuals, who find it hard to control their gambling. The calls have followed the revelation that 40% of existing accounts do not offer any assistance in this area. The British charity GambleAware, which is engaged with helping problem gamblers in the country, has carried out research that found that only 8 financial companies in the country offered their customers the chance to suspend future payments to gambling websites.…

Yesterday, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) published more data regarding the impact of the coronavirus lockdown on local customers’ gambling behaviour. The data unveiled covers the two months of full shutdown in April and May 2020 and was gathered by the Covid-19 tracker of YouGov and the biggest online gambling companies that operate in the country. It also builds on information that the UKGC published on May 12th and June 12th, with the gambling regulatory body unveiling updated guidance to gambling companies in May. As revealed by the watchdog, the…

The English Football League (EFL) has called for the UK Government not to proceed with plans to ban gambling sponsorship agreements amid financial concerns. According to the EFL, such a move could force more clubs to go out of business. Yesterday, a select committee of gambling at the House of Lords published a major report, according to which Premier League football clubs should not be permitted to display betting companies’ logos on their shirts from the next season. Furthermore, the committee believes that the teams below the top flight should…

The Gambling Committee at the House of Lords has called for the UK Government to regulate loot boxes as a form of gambling under the existing gambling legislation and has warned that the change should not be postponed any more. According to the Lords, loot boxes offered in many video games should be classified as “games of chance”. In their report, they insist that if a certain product resembled gambling, it should be regulated as such. If such a classification is made, then loot boxes would be considered a form…

Blackpool’s council licensing panel rejected an application filed by a gambling company that has been willing to get a bingo premises licence for some slot machines on Abingdon Street. Unfortunately for Cashino Gaming, it would not be able to place its Merkur Slots at the abovementioned site as local authorities feared that the bingo premises and the offered gambling option would have a negative impact on vulnerable individuals. The rejection follows another blow that Cashino Gaming has suffered in Blackpool after the planning committee of the city council also refused…