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In April 2018, The Lotteries Council held its Annual Conference and Networking Event, which was aimed to provide a better perspective of the UK lottery sector, with a number of exhibitors and industry officials taking part in the event. The major gambling regulatory body of the UK – the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) – also took part in the Conference, with its Executive Director Tim Miller participating in the second speaker session on April 18th. Mr. Miller spoke of the relationship that UK lotteries and good causes always shared and…

Heads of top UK betting operators have sent a letter to Matthew Hancock, the Culture Secretary, in an attempt to prevent the expected crackdown on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) which would end up with a massive stake reduction to £2. Currently, players are still allowed to place a maximum bet of £100 on the electronic machines every twenty seconds. However, large betting companies fear of the pending possibility that the FOBTs maximum stake is to be cut to £2. A number of gambling companies, including William Hill, GVC Holdings, Betfred,…

Today, the Government of Japan approved a bill that is to officially make casinos legal in the country, despite increased public concerns that such a step could end up with a significant boost of problem gambling behaviour among local citizens. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Government are trying to see the bill pass the Diet over the current session which is set to close on June 20th hoping that the opening of the Japanese casino market would end up with more foreign visitors being attracted to the country. They…

Florida legislators decided to leave the matter whether to expand gambling in the state to local voters to decide upon in November. After spending weeks in trying to find out a solution to the ongoing difficulties with the state’s deal with the local Seminole Tribe, Florida legislative leaders revealed that they were unable to agree on possible gambling expansion. That is why they chose not to have a special legislative session in May. This decision means that it is the state voters who are to decide who exactly (they or…

A Queensland problem gambler, who served as a charity manager and siphoned over AU$1 million from a non-profit organisation to gamble, has been jailed for eight years for stealing the afore-mentioned amount and using it fuel her gambling habit, as well as other entertainment activities. At a hearing which took place at the District Court in Brisbane, it became clear that the former charity manager Donna Healey carried out 866 bank transfers amounting to more than AU$1 million from the bank account of the Horizons Respite and Recreation Association to…

The Chief Executive Office of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Issam Kazim, revealed that currently there is no move to make gambling legal in the emirate regardless of the fact that three of the most popular hotel casino brands on a global scale are to set foot in the country. The statement of the most senior Dubai Tourism official comes following last week’s announcement that Caesars Entertainment Corp. is to operate two hotels as well as a beach club in the emirate, with the company planning to…

According to media reports, the UK Government crackdown on highly-controversial fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) has been delayed once again. The measures that are to be taken in terms of reducing the machines’ harmful effect and lowering their maximum stake were expected to be announced by the end of April. However, the decision has reportedly been delayed once again until the local elections are held at the beginning of May due to misunderstandings among some members of the Government. According to some sources, the member of the British Conservative Party and…

According to information unveiled by the Football Association (FA) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the former defender of Lincoln City FC Bradley Wood got suspended for six years by the football’s sport’s governing body. The ruling was related to the FA Cup 5th Round match between Lincoln City FC and Burnley in 2017. Wood was charged by the Football Association with a total of 25 offences, with him banned from football and all football-related activity from March 9th 2018 to March 8th 2024. The FA action was taken as…

The forward of the Scottish Premiership club Hearts Kyle Lafferty has praised his squad for the support which he has received since revealing his gambling addiction to the wider public. It was in September 2017 when the Northern Ireland football player make a confession about his problem gambling behaviour, which costed him thousands of pounds. Now, the 30-year-old striker revealed that he has not placed a bet over the seventh months following him turning to his club for help to battle his addiction. He also credited the Austin MacPhee, who…

Governor Rick Scott announced that a new agreement was reached between the state of Florida and the local Seminole Tribe. Under the revenue-sharing agreement, the existing deal of the parties is to be extended by May 2019, with the Indian tribe set to pay a total amount of $300 million to the state. In addition, local voters are expected to make a decision on a proposed constitutional change on a November ballot. The amendment would provide them with the power to control the future of gambling expansion in Florida. On…