News Archives - Online Casino UK Helper

UKGC Consultations Suicide Disclosures & GAMSTOP Extension Closes

Summary UKGC launched a consultation process on 28 Feb to focus on key areas Areas included the expansion of GAMSTOP and reporting of gambling related suicides The consultation process came to an end on May 23 The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) which is the gaming regulator in the UK decided to launch a consultation...

UK’s APBGG Ends Parliamentary Work Based On White Paper Recommendations

by Mike Ashley

Summary: The APBGG has been closed following the publication of the Gambling Review White Paper It will be replaced by a new informal network of people interested in the gambling sector MPs have called on the government to regulate cryptocurrency trading as gambling The All-Party Betting & Gaming Group (APBGG) has officially terminated its parliamentary...

UK Public Support Blanket Ban on Gambling Advertising

by Mike Ashley

Summary: Over half of Britain is in favor of a blanket ban on gambling ads However, lawmakers are unlikely to approve the measure The government could instead introduce a mandatory RET levy A new survey shows more than half of UK residents support a blanket ban on gambling advertising, but the measure is unlikely to...

GambleAware Looks to Break Down Gambling Harm Stigma

by Mike Ashley

Summary: GambleAware has launched a new campaign called “Let’s open up about gambling” New campaign will look to tackle gambling stigma The campaign is supported by multiple organizations and popular public figures GambleAware aims to remove the stigma around gambling harms by launching a new campaign called “Let’s open up about gambling”. Produced by the...

UK White Paper To Include Affordability Checks & Statutory RET Levy

by Mike Ashley

Summary The UK govt. has reportedly opted for affordability checks that are easy for operators and customers The mandatory RET levy is also expected to be included in the White Paper The White Paper could be published before the end of April 2023 The UK government is reportedly pushing ahead with affordability measures in the...

UK Study Links Discrimination & Gambling Harm Amongst Minority Groups

by Mike Ashley

Summary: Minority communities were more likely to experience gambling harm The study identifies a potential link between discrimination and gambling harm GambleAware calls for further research on the gambling experiences of those from Minority communities New research recently published by GambleAware shows that gambling participation among people from Minority groups was lower than among White...

BGC “Take Time to Think Campaign” Was Ineffective Says Study

by Mike Ashley

Summary BGC ran a Take Time to Think campaign to encourage responsible gambling University of Warwick carried out a live study on the effectiveness of said campaign Results show that BGC’s campaign had zero impact! The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) which is the industry body for gambling and betting operators in the UK placed...

Scottish GGS Finds Gambling Stigmas Are Preventing Treatment

by Mike Ashley

Summary A GSS evaluation found that gambling stigma is preventing Scots from accessing treatment Frontline workers need to improve their questioning methods to help Scots struggling with gambling harm In Wales, the Lib Dems want to double the tax imposed on online operators The stigma surrounding gambling addiction which has gone down in the last...

GamCare Calls for Cross-Sector Partnerships to Address Gambling-Related Debt

by Mike Ashley

Summary GamCare published its latest recommendations for tackling gambling-related debt The recommendations come as 6 in 10 Brits seeking gambling treatment had debts GamCare said there must be reciprocal referral pathways between sectors to address the issue GamCare is calling for stronger multi-sector partnerships to help people experiencing financial problems due to gambling. The independent...

UK Survey Finds Affordability Checks Will Cause Black Market To Flourish

by Mike Ashley

Summary A recent survey by Racing TV found that 80% of UK bettors are against affordability checks The black market will flourish if strict gambling measures are implemented The survey comes ahead of the publication of the Gambling Review White Paper A significant number of UK bettors may be engaging with black market firms at...

Red Tiger Release Their Stunning Blood Suckers Megaways Slot

by Mike Ashley

They are of course the slot machines that really have caught the imagination of players all over the world, and I am more than confident that you will have played the high risk Megaways slots at one time or another recently, if of course you are an avid slot player. Thanks to a fair licensing...

Shadow Minister Shares Thoughts on RET Funding Issue

by Mike Ashley

Summary Jeff Smith MP said RET funding concerns must be addressed in the White Paper Smith wants White Paper to provide clear information on RET funding Betting and Gaming Council is opposed to statutory levy on RET funding Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) recently held a Parliamentary Reception in Westminster where it launched...

NetEnt Launch Fully Themed Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen Slot

by Mike Ashley

Having secured the required licence from ITV and Humble Pie Media, NetEnt have now launched one of their very latest, all themed, fully branded slots, that being the Hell’s Kitchen slot, which does of course feature the star of that show, Gordon Ramsay. No expense has been spared on the design of that brand new...

BGC Says Gambling Reforms Should Focus More on Protecting Youth

by Mike Ashley

Summary BGC calls on UK Gov to adopt a genuine strategic approach to gambling reform It highlighted successful industry initiatives aimed at protecting young people It has once again warned the government to avoid implementing intrusive measures With just weeks away before the publication of the Gambling Act Review White Paper, the Betting and Gaming...

UK Gambling Review To Be Overseen By New Acting Chair of DCMS Committee

by Mike Ashley

Summary Damian Green takes over the role from Julian Knight who is being accused of sexual harassment The Ashford MP will supervise major policy works, including the Gambling Review Sky News recently revealed names of MPs receiving donations from the gambling industry Damian Green has been appointed as Acting Chair of the Digital Culture, Media...

N. Ireland To Increase Problem Gambling Awareness In Schools

by Mike Ashley

Summary The new resource includes five lessons discussing the dangers surrounding gambling It is targeted at Key Stage 3 students aged 11 to 14 years old Among the topics covered are in-game features, such as loot boxes Northern Ireland’s Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) has put together lessons about gambling and gaming,...

DCMS Will Continue To Push For Stringent Regulations

by Mike Ashley

Summary Paul Scully said the DCMS is taking the lead on all aspects of UK gambling regulation Scully made it clear discussions on gambling issues will continue after the release of the White Paper There is still no clear indication when the white paper will be released Paul Scully, minster for the Department for Digital,...

UKGC Chief Tackles UKGC Challenges At CEO Briefing 2022

by Mike Ashley

Summary UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes said emerging products have presented a new regulatory challenge Rhodes admits it will be difficult to eliminate black market activities He said the Commission cannot condone bad practices in the licensed market The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) recently hosted a CEO Briefing with gambling operators where Andrew Rhodes shared his...

NHS Want Mandatory Donations From UK iGaming Operators For Problem Gambling

by Mike Ashley

Summary The number of patients referred to NHS gambling addiction clinics rose by 42% Most of those referred are young men and has caused serious concern for the NHS NHS clinicians are backing a proposed statutory RET levy on the industry The NHS is putting pressure on licensed iGaming operators to contribute a mandatory fee...

UK Watchdog Happy That Less Young Brits Are Engaging In Gambling Activities

by Mike Ashley

Summary The latest Young People and Gambling Report was published on November 10, 2022 The latest report shows a drop in the number of young people involved in gambling The UKGC noted though that 0.9% of young people are struggling with problem gambling The UK Gambling Commission has described as “encouraging” headline data around regulated...