iGaming Industry
Pilot project tackling problem gambling delivers impressive results
A pilot project with betting shop staff in Islington, north London, designed to improve their understanding of gambling-related harm and to raise awareness of support available to customers at risk, is delivering impressive results.
Virtually all members of staff who received training from the project team describe improvements in their ability to recognise what the report describes as “red flags in customer behaviour” and their understanding of gambling-related harm. Staff also report feeling more confident in assisting people with gambling problems.
The project, entitled Don’t Gamble With Health, delivered by BetKnowMore UK and sponsored by GambleAware, is innovative in its approach to harm-minimisation by working with high street betting shop staff. It involved 59 betting shops setting up a customer referral process. Training was provided to 112 shop staff and partner organisations, and 95 customers were referred to the service or approached it independently through information available in betting shops.
Feedback about the project and the service it offers has been overwhelmingly positive. It was funded by a dedicated grant from the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) in addition to the regular funding provided to GambleAware by ABB members.
The project had a second distinct element in providing a support service to customers who are at risk or are problem gamblers. BetKnowMore UK’s report on the project, independently verified, showed that the majority of clients who engaged with the service improved their ability to successfully manage their gambling behaviour. Customers who completed their treatment for problem gambling made particularly impressive progress.
Barriers prevent people seeking help
The team reported that the main reasons preventing people who could benefit from coming forward for help were lack of awareness of support mechanisms, complexity of referral and slow response within some existing services. A common barrier which prevented people seeking help was the negativity and stigma associated with problem gambling. The project focused on addressing these obstacles.
The support service is delivered in tiers. Tiers one and two are described as brief interventions. Typically, they take the form of informal meetings in neutral places such as cafes, or involve phone engagement with people who call the project helpline, usually to share concerns about their own or a loved one’s gambling behaviour.
Tier three offers a more structured support through mentoring and group therapy, while tier four is dedicated to clients with complex and multiple needs and typically involves counselling support.
To help deal with the stigma linked with problem gambling the project presented gambling as a lifestyle choice and health issue similar to, for example, drinking. It emphasised that when people are able to engage in these activities in appropriate, well-managed ways they do not lead to harm and are socially acceptable.
The positive approach is reinforced by the alternatives offered to problem-gambling activity. Consistent with modern theories on behaviour change, this means that in order to sustainably remove or minimise negative behaviour, people need a positive alternative. Within the context of the project this meant helping clients to fill up the time previously occupied by gambling with new activities such as participating in sport or making music.
Contributory negative factors assessed
The holistic nature of the approach is manifested in the team assessing what, alongside gambling, negatively affects their clients’ wellbeing and supports them in addressing that. Examples include loneliness, unemployment or accommodation problems.
Given the evidence about gambling-related harm affecting vulnerable members of society, consideration was given to the extent to which the service reached such customers.
For tier three-four clients for whom information was available:
- Five out of 34 were in supported accommodation or at risk of becoming homeless. A similar number lived with friends, not having a home of their own.
- Nine out of 26 were not in employment. Five were unemployed and four were in receipt of benefits due to long-term illness.
- Sixteen out of 37 had mental health problems, typically anxiety, stress and depression. There were several clients with personality and bipolar disorders.
- Ten out of 40 had a history of, or were recovering from, substance and/or alcohol abuse
- Four out 37 had a history of breaking the law (linked to gambling or substance abuse).
Malcolm George, chief executive of the ABB, said: “The success of the BetKnowMore project is a huge credit to the hard work of everyone involved, from those providing the counselling service to the betting shop staff who received new intensive training. I’m very encouraged by these findings and, working with the BetKnowMore team, we will now look to upscale this service in 2018.“
Source: European Gaming Portal
Alejandro Navarro
Betski Secures $345,000 in Pre-Seed Funding for First-ever Tokenized Casino Ownership Platform
Betski is set to launch its online casino ownership platform in Q1 of 2025, enabling users to earn casino profits through digital tokens. The system will allow anyone to receive a share of casino earnings without managing casino operations, marking a new chapter in the multi-billion-dollar iGaming industry. Supported by a $345,000 pre-seed funding round, the platform aims to democratize access to casino earnings and reshape the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry.
Opening Casino Ownership to Everyone
The platform’s tokenization system reshapes traditional casino business rules through an automatic profit-sharing program. Token holders receive a percentage of every bet placed on the platform.
This system eliminates steep entry costs, such as operational expenses, licensing fees, and administrative management. Users can start earning returns without previous casino experience or large capital investments.
“A small group have exclusively enjoyed casino industry profits until now. Our platform opens these earnings to everyone through our tokenized profit-sharing system, turning users into online casino owners,” said Alejandro Navarro, founder and CEO of Betski.
Direct Profit-Sharing Through Tokens
Through a verified digital system, the ownership program distributes Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) among token holders. Investors have recognized this potential, contributing $345,000 in pre-seed funding that combines gaming entertainment with digital asset ownership. The platform maintains strict security protocols and automated distribution systems for reliable profit sharing.
“The platform distributes real money to token holders from every bet placed by players. This creates a steady income stream for online casino owners – something the traditional casino structure has never offered,” said Navarro.
Global Growth of Online Casino Ownership
The platform has attracted 2400 active Discord members and over 20,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). These early adopters are expected to participate in test runs of the profit-sharing system once it goes live. Over the next 24 months, the platform will roll out first in Latin America, followed by expansion into European and select Asian markets.
Betski offers casino games, live casino experiences, eSports betting, global lotteries, fantasy sports, and traditional sportsbooks. This variety creates multiple revenue streams for online casino owners. Players can access all gaming options through a single interface, which streamlines the betting experience and maximizes potential returns for token holders.
The team has partnered with major payment processors and marketing agencies to support the platform’s global expansion. These collaborations will facilitate smooth transactions and user acquisition across different regions. The platform meets all regulatory requirements in its target markets, certifying long-term stability for token holders.
New Opportunities for Investment
Following the successful pre-seed round, Betski is now opening its seed funding round to welcome additional participants into its casino ownership platform. This investment opportunity enables individuals and entities to join the platform’s growth journey ahead of its official launch in Q1 2025.
eCOGRA, a leading international authority in Testing, Inspection and Certification services for the iGaming industry, has secured new regulatory approvals across three key jurisdictions: Arizona, Indiana and Panama. With these developments, eCOGRA strengthens its position in the U.S. and Latin American markets, offering excellence in compliance through their Quality, Speed, and Service promise.
This strategic expansion allows eCOGRA to conduct independent compliance audits and certification services in each region, addressing the growing demand for rigorous regulatory oversight in the fast-evolving global iGaming industry.
Securing approval in Arizona, where eCOGRA has now been licensed as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier, enables the International Testing Laboratory (ITL) to audit event wagering licensees in line with Arizona’s expanding regulatory landscape. Indiana, which introduced online sports betting in September 2019, has authorised eCOGRA to perform regulatory compliance audits, providing licensed operators with crucial assurance in meeting the state’s high standards.
In Panama, the Board of Gaming Control officially recognised eCOGRA as an Authorised Entity for Compliance Certification, specifically for slot machines and gaming software. This endorsement reinforces eCOGRA’s role as a trusted partner for operators seeking to meet stringent regulatory requirements in Latin America’s emerging iGaming sector.
“Our recent approvals in Indiana, Arizona, and Panama underline our dedication to continually expand our offering, to support our growing portfolio of clients with their global growth plans. We are committed to ensuring that we bring the same quality, speed and service that marks us out to both our clients and regulators in these dynamic markets,” said Will Shuckburgh, Group CEO of eCOGRA.
Bradley Khoury, Chief Technology Officer at eCOGRA, said: “Securing licensure as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier in Arizona and an Authorised Entity in Panama underscores our dedication to supporting responsible and sustainable iGaming operations. We are committed to driving trust and accountability within the industry by providing compliance solutions that uphold the highest standards.”
BetConstruct, a global leader in the iGaming industry, is going to showcase its cutting-edge solutions at the highly anticipated Global Gaming Expo (G2E), taking place from October 7-10.
As the premier event for the global gaming industry, G2E serves as a hub for innovation, driving growth by bringing together industry professionals from around the world to foster business opportunities.
Taking place at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, this all-in-one event features both an education program from October 7-10 and an expansive expo hall running from October 8-10.
BetConstruct’s stand is 5230, where the team will showcase an exciting range of products, including the newly launched the Last Battle, a novel loyalty system that is the byproduct of BetConstruct’s commitment to innovation. The company will also demonstrate its comprehensive Sportsbook and Casino Suite, along with DECA, its next-level decentralised casino platform, and Umbrella, an AI-powered risk management solution. These offerings are designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of operators, ensuring seamless and engaging experiences for players across the regulated market.
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