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The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) has bolstered its relationship and cooperation with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) in order to better oppose serious terrorism and financial crime practices. The two parties have signed a regulatory Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in London, under which the agencies would be able to share regulatory data and compliance information. That information would be used to bolster the internal financial system against various international crime, including corruption, financing of terrorist organisations, money laundering, etc. The Chief Executive Officer of AUSTRAC, Nicole Rose…

Last night, the decision of the Football Association to sell the FA Cup rights to the UK betting giant bet365 fuelled much concern and strong criticism. Under the provisions of the six-year deal, bet365 would be allowed to show FA Cup matches both on its official website and its mobile application. Last weekend, in order to be able to watch the matches on the gambling company’s website, users were required to place a bet before the beginning of the match or create an account with a £5 deposit. Furthermore, the…

Later this week, a new National Health Service (NHS) clinic is to start operation in Sunderland as part of the authorities’ efforts to tackle problem gambling that has been spreading across the country. As the NHS itself revealed, its Northern Gambling Service base situated at the Beacon of Light is set to offer help to people who suffer severe problems due to compulsive gambling, as well as the ones suffering from associated mental health conditions. The new clinic, which is set to open doors in a few days, will offer…

Wayne Rooney, one of the most successful England footballers, has revealed some details about his gambling addiction at the time he started playing at Manchester United FC. The 34-year-old player has opened up about his problem gambling even though several months ago, he agreed to join Derby County Football Club after an agreement that is being sponsored by a local gambling operator. In August 2018, Derby County revealed that under a recently-signed agreement, Wayne Rooney would become part of the club. The move, however, has been obscured by the fact…

Documents unveiled by the British regulator, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), indicate many bookmakers operating in the country rely heavily on problem and high-spending VIP customers. According to the data gathered by the watchdog, such bettors bring in £4 out of every £5 wagered with online gambling operators. It is a widespread practice in the industry to incentivise losing customers and big spenders by granting them membership in VIP schemes. VIP members are rewarded with different perks like free wagers, cashbacks on their losses, and free tickets for major sporting…

A Ladbrokes betting shop located in Derry was robbed on New Year’s Day, giving the two female employees present at the office the fright of their lives. Detective Sergeant Marshall from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stated in front of local media the robbery was conducted by two unidentified males who entered the premises shortly before 5:45 pm yesterday. One of the robbers forced and restrained one of the present female employees to the ground while his accomplice searched the Ladbrokes office. The robbers departed the shop just…

British gambling regulatory body and anti-gambling campaigners remain concerned about the participation of underage individuals in the gambling sector. In October, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) published a report to provide further details about the gambling behaviours of young people in the age group from 11 to 16 on the territory of England, Scotland and Wales. As Casino Guardian has revealed, the report was conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the UKGC and was aimed at getting more details about the gambling habits that local underage individuals have. An…

Victoria-based rugby team the Melbourne Storm announced its plans to return to gambling through the application for a new pokie machine venue. The announcement comes less than a year after the NRL team decided to wean itself off pokie revenue. The establishment, which will be located in Melbourne’s Truganina suburb, is to house a total of eighty slot machines, or pokies as Australians call them. According to a planning application filed to the Wyndham City Council, the venue is to be located within a new hotel and hospitality building nineteen…

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission is now seeking views on proposed changes regarding the sales and prize limits for society lotteries. The Commission opened a consultation, which also looks at the current regulatory requirements and the fairness and transparency to consumers. The consultation, which opened earlier this month, comes after the Government announced in July that it planned to raise the per draw limit on ticket sales from £4 million to £5 million. As a result of the proposed amendment to section 99 (3) of the Gambling Act 2005, the…

Despite the tougher restrictions on gambling, introduced earlier this year by the government and by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), the number of people seeking treatment for gambling addiction has increased in the past year. New statistics from the National Health Service revealed that there were 379 hospital admissions related to gambling problems in 2018-19. These figures suggest that, on average, the number of gambling-related hospital admissions in the past year was more than one a day. The unexpected increase in admissions of people diagnosed with “pathological” gambling addiction…