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Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling publishes literature review

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An academic literature review has revealed a dearth of knowledge worldwide about the links between crime and problem gambling – so the Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling is to embark on a new research programme.

The Commission, set up by the Howard League for Penal Reform, began looking into the issue last year and carried out a literature review, which was published on Monday, 1st of June. The review found that, while millions of people are affected by gambling either directly or indirectly, there appear to be fewer than 50 peer-reviewed papers in the last 25 years that address the links between problem gambling and crime specifically.

In response, the Commission intends to conduct its own research, in three strands: the first project will look at the prevalence of gambling-related crime; the second will consider the lived experience of people caught up in the system; and the third will explore sentencers’ awareness of the issue.

Chaired by Lord Goldsmith QC, the Commission seeks to establish what the links between problem gambling and crime are; what impact they have on communities and wider society; and what steps could be taken to reduce crime and make people safer.

Lord Goldsmith QC, Chair of the Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling, said: “Concern about harmful gambling activity has been growing for some time, but this is the first commission to focus specifically on the relationship between problem gambling and crime.

“From people getting into debt and defrauding family members or employers, to domestic violence and other crimes relating to gambling-related stress, we know anecdotally that police stations, courts and prisons see significant numbers of cases – but only a handful of academic studies have looked at this across the globe.

“The criminal justice system itself does very little work to capture the scale of the challenge and even less in terms of offering interventions like those we see for alcohol or drug problems. This has to change and our Commission can play a key role in improving the response to disordered gambling and crime.”

The literature review covers jurisdictions including Australasia, the US, Canada, Germany, Scandinavia and the UK. It reveals that, while the overall quantity of research is not huge, there is a consistency in findings across all jurisdictions.

Researchers have found high prevalence rates of people committing crimes to fund their gambling. A wide variety of crimes are committed as a result of gambling addiction; not just ‘white collar’ crimes such as theft and fraud, but also offences that occur in public spaces such as street robbery. There is significant evidence of domestic abuse and child neglect linked to problem and pathological gambling.

Studies have indicated that the more complex, prolonged and persistent a gambling problem is, the more likely it is that a crime will be committed and, indeed, that many crimes may result.

Although there has been a growing understanding that gambling addiction is a behavioural disorder, little of this has been translated to sentencing; problem gambling is not considered to be a mitigating factor in sentencing in the way mental health problems or drug and alcohol addiction are.

Research suggests that, in spite of extremely high rates of gambling addiction among prisoners, prisons offer only limited treatment. There is evidence of resistance to undertaking treatment among prisoners.

Several of the studies reviewed agreed that a custodial sentence, especially when no treatment is available for gambling addiction, was not a cost-effective way of avoiding further harm to the individual or society once the sentence is completed.

A small number of specialised gambling courts have been established in the US, with the aim of ensuring that people with gambling addictions who are in trouble with the law receive appropriate treatment. There is limited data on the success or otherwise of these initiatives.

Research is needed into the potential effect of gambling addiction treatment on the rate of recidivism, as well as more general research on how best to help vulnerable populations avoid the criminal justice system.

The literature review was written by Sarah Ramanauskas, Senior Partner at Gambling Integrity, who sits on the Commission.

 

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Business Press Release (The Guardian, Gambling Commission, TalkSport)

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SSC Napoli, Champions of Italy, Aligns with Rabona in Long-Term Strategic Partnership

Rabona, a leading international sportsbook brand, has been named the Official Regional Betting Partner of SSC Napoli — the reigning champions of Italy and one of Europe’s most prestigious football clubs. This long-term partnership is set to commence on July, 2025.

The collaboration marks a significant alignment between two ambitious organizations, each known for their commitment to excellence, digital innovation, and loyal fan engagement. Following Napoli’s historic fourth Serie A title win in the 2024-25 season, this partnership comes at a high point for the club, offering Rabona access to one of the strongest brands in modern football.

We are proud to welcome Rabona as SSC Napoli’s new European Betting Partner. This partnership marks an exciting chapter for our club, as it brings us even closer to the millions of Napoli fans across Europe,” stated Leonardo Giammarioli, Chief Global Business Officer at SSC Napoli. “We’re particularly enthusiastic about the spirit of innovation Rabona brings, and we look forward to exploring creative and engaging activations together that reflect the passion and ambition of our club and supporters.”

For Rabona, the partnership is a chance to put its full digital toolkit to work — supporting a world-class club that’s eager to deepen its bond with fans. This is exactly the kind of challenge the brand is built for. With powerful engagement tools, a tech-first mindset, and a passion for the game, Rabona is ready to deliver smart, high-impact solutions that match Napoli’s ambition — and bring real value to their community.

We are genuinely excited about this partnership, it’s such a huge deal for us. Why? Because we’re fans too! Just look at the name of our brand. ‘Rabona’ refers to a unique football move, famously loved by the legendary Neapolitan captain No. 10. We are very happy to be able to share our digital solutions with Napoli’s supporters. Our mission is to connect fans with their idols, and we have all the tools. You’ll love our fresh ideas — from launching live streams with built-in interactivity to facilitating special moments IRL. Getting to bring the football community even closer is a dream come true.”

Rabona’s strategy is rooted in technology and innovation. Together with SSC Napoli, the brand is rolling out a suite of interactive experiences and activations designed to turn passive viewership into active engagement. These include:

  • Real-time Q&A sessions with the players via interactive video streams
  • Exclusive promotions and betting opportunities connected to club milestones
  • Behind-the-scenes content and team insights distributed through Rabona and Napoli channels
  • Localised campaigns tailored to European markets with strong fan engagement

This partnership also presents significant upside for Rabona’s affiliate and business networks. Associating with SSC Napoli — a club with global recognition and on-field momentum — enhances Rabona’s credibility, boosts brand equity, and creates a powerful narrative for audience acquisition in competitive betting markets. With a growing presence in key global markets and a digital-first product offering, Rabona will use this collaboration to deepen engagement with football audiences across Europe, elevate its brand profile, and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Beyond customer-facing gains, the deal positions Rabona as a case study in how sports betting brands can engage with top-tier clubs in ways that create long-term business value. This partnership goes beyond banner space and impressions, focusing instead on technology-led brand-building that respects the integrity of sport while delivering measurable returns.

The collaboration arrives at a time when both parties are accelerating their growth. For Napoli, it’s about maintaining momentum and increasing international reach. For Rabona, it’s an opportunity to anchor its presence in football culture while scaling its operations with authenticity and precision.

Rabona continues to demonstrate that it is more than just a sportsbook — it’s a digital partner capable of shaping the future of fan engagement and sports entertainment. With SSC Napoli by its side, the brand enters a new chapter defined by connection, creativity, and commercial potential.

Expressed through the slogan “Be Napoli. Play with Rabona,” the partnership celebrates the identity and passion of Napoli supporters, offering new ways to deepen their connection to the club they love.

Eager to find out more? Visit Rabona.com for full details.

The post Business Press Release (The Guardian, Gambling Commission, TalkSport) appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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The UAE Lottery Introduces Two New E-Instant Games: Gemstone Riches and Sports Mania

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The UAE Lottery, operated by The Game LLC and regulated by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), is expanding its digital gaming portfolio with the launch of two exciting new E-Instant games: Gemstone Riches and Sports Mania, provided by EQL Games. These new titles bring a fresh layer of entertainment and greater chances to win for players across the UAE.

Gemstone Riches is an exciting new game offering 196 prize tiers. Players simply match their numbers with the lucky numbers to win the corresponding prize, with multiple chances to win on a single ticket. The game also features a bonus round unlocked by revealing five gemstone bonus symbols, where players select four gems to win more prizes. With entry prices ranging from AED 2 to AED 50 and top rewards of up to AED 500,000, Gemstone Riches is designed to be accessible and thrilling for all players.

Sports Mania brings a sporty twist to digital scratch games, with 41 prize tiers and an exciting multiplier feature. Players choose their ticket price and reveal their symbols, winning when their symbols match both the image and the quantity shown at the top. A multiplier, of up to x50 can be applied to boost the player’s total final winnings significantly. Like Gemstone Riches, ticket prices range from AED 2 to AED 50 with prizes up to AED 500,000.

With the addition of Gemstone Riches and Sports Mania, we’re building on the momentum of our E-Instant portfolio and continuing to expand the variety and quality of our digital game offerings. These new titles introduce simple, interactive formats and creative themes that align with our focus on safe, accessible, and engaging gameplay,” said Bishop Woosley, Director of Lottery Operations at The Game LLC

These two additions mark a new chapter for The UAE Lottery’s digital offerings, enhancing gameplay variety and delivering greater player engagement through interactive, easy-to-play formats. Both games are now available on The UAE Lottery website: www.theuaelottery.ae.

As the first and only federally licensed lottery in the UAE and Gulf region, The UAE Lottery remains committed to setting high standards for regulated gaming. Its focus on responsible gaming is central to how it operates, from ensuring every game prioritizes player protection and integrity, to supporting socially responsible initiatives that benefit the wider community.

The post The UAE Lottery Introduces Two New E-Instant Games: Gemstone Riches and Sports Mania appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Alea doubles down on cybersecurity with Continent 8’s full-spectrum assessment solutions

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Continent 8’s Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing, Security Audit and Vulnerability Scan services enable Alea to further strengthen the security and resilience of its iGaming platform

Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions for the iGaming and online sports betting industry, announces that it has expanded its cybersecurity collaboration with Alea.

Building on its current programme of Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) services with Continent 8, Alea – the award-winning casino game aggregator – has deepened its partnership with Continent 8 and its cybersecurity division, C8 Secure, by integrating Security Audit and Vulnerability Scan (V-Scan) services. This strategic initiative further enhances Alea’s cybersecurity posture and underscores the company’s ongoing investment in the resilience and integrity of its infrastructure.

The expanded cybersecurity assessment programme delivers a wide range of benefits for Alea and its operator network, including:

  • Identifying, assessing and mitigating vulnerabilities in IT infrastructures, applications and networks
  • Ensuring compliance with industry best practises and cybersecurity frameworks by evaluating security policies, procedures and governance
  • Recognising new vulnerabilities, highlighting areas for improvement and prioritising remediation efforts
  • Developing a customised roadmap for ongoing improvement to enhance cybersecurity posture and maturity
  • Enhancing the trust and confidence of customers and partners by implementing industry-best cybersecurity measures

Eduard Fumás, CTO at Alea: “Security is built into everything we do at Alea. We’ve always believed that operators and their players deserve the highest level of protection. This is why we’ve invested in strong encryption, fraud prevention tools and a robust infrastructure from day one.

“Working with Continent 8 has helped us put that commitment to the test. Their expertise allows us to validate and strengthen our systems with confidence. We’re proud of how far we’ve come together, and even more excited about what’s next as we keep raising the bar and building a platform that our partners can trust completely.”

Patrick Gardner, Chief Security Officer at Continent 8 added: “As Alea continues to grow and expand, its proactive commitment to maintaining a secure iGaming aggregator platform becomes paramount. In our ongoing collaboration with Alea, we remain dedicated to fostering and supporting their cybersecurity initiatives – ensuring that both Alea and its extensive partner ecosystem stay protected, resilient and prepared.”

Continent 8 will be exhibiting at SBC Summit Lisbon, from 16-18 September at Stand C80.

The post Alea doubles down on cybersecurity with Continent 8’s full-spectrum assessment solutions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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