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UK Gambling Firms Accused of Exaggerating Scale of Black Market Betting

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5 years ago

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UK Gambling firms have been accused of concocting a “dodgy dossier” to exaggerate the scale of black market betting, in an attempt to influence an upcoming government review expected to result in tougher regulation.

Gambling industry figures recently seized on a report claiming that 200,000 people in the UK spend £1.4bn on black market sites every year, warning that tougher regulation could drive more people into the arms of “unscrupulous” operators.

But in a letter to a cross-party group of MPs examining gambling-related harm, the Gambling Commission’s chief executive, Neil McArthur, delivered a withering assessment of the report.

The boss of the gambling regulator said the report, written by consultancy PwC, was “not consistent with the intelligence picture” and did not distinguish between real consumers using black market sites and bots or other automated systems.

He said the report should be treated cautiously, adding that it lacked any evidence to show an increase in illicit betting.

“We know that licensed operators and their trade bodies are concerned about the impact of the illegal market, but our own evidence suggests that the impact may be being exaggerated,” he said.

McArthur said black market concerns should be kept in proportion “despite … reports from consultants paid for by the industry, and should not distract from the need to continue to drive up standards and make gambling safer in the regulated market.”

Such direct criticism from the regulator will be a blow for the industry lobby group, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which has repeatedly referred to the report to back its arguments against stricter regulations.

The government is considering a range of measures that could involve limiting stakes on online virtual slot machines, or forcing web-based casinos to carry out thorough affordability checks if customers deposit a certain amount per month.

McArthur dismissed BGC’s suggestion that such measures could fuel a surge in black market operations.

“In any event, we are not convinced by the argument that suggests that raising standards in the licensed market will prompt consumers to gamble with illegal operators,” he said.

The Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who chairs the MPs’ group that receive the letter, said: “The online gambling industry talks up the threat of the black market in an attempt to resist regulation and protect its profits, but trying to hijack the debate by manufacturing dodgy dossiers of information to further their own ends is an incredibly transparent tactic and will not be any kind of excuse to hold down standards.”

The BGC and several of the UK’s major betting companies, which commissioned the report, refused a request to provide a copy.

But the Guardian has since obtained both a draft version, dated April 2019, and a final version, dated July 2019.

The two appear identical except that the final version removed a reference to the three firms that commissioned it, Ladbrokes owner GVC, William Hill and The Stars Group, which owned SkyBet and has since merged with Paddy Power owner Flutter.

Matt Zarb-Cousin, a former adviser to Jeremy Corbyn who runs the campaign group Clean Up Gambling, said: “The gambling industry has been quoting from this report as it attempts to drive a race to the bottom in regulation. Having finally seen the contents, it’s clear why it was reluctant to make this report available for public scrutiny.”

A BGC spokesperson said countries with tougher regulation than the UK had bigger black market problems.

“We have repeatedly called on the government to use the online harms bill to crack down on access to these sites, and we would support financial service providers being obliged to block black market transactions,” he said.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 21-27

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7 hours ago

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July 29, 2025

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Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

ALT Sports Data, the global leader in engagement solutions and official data for emerging sports, has appointed Neale Deeley as SVP of Sportsbook. Deeley brings over two decades of industry experience and a proven track record of driving innovation and commercial growth in sports wagering. In his new role, Deeley will lead the company’s global sports betting strategy, spearheading market expansion, deepening operator partnerships and accelerating the monetization of emerging sports through regulated betting markets. He will work closely with sportsbooks and gaming partners to build scalable betting products that delivers unique fan engagement opportunities and new revenue streams across ASD’s portfolio of exclusive sports properties.

SEGG Media Corporation, a leading technology company transforming the global intersection of sports, entertainment and gaming, has selected IBN, a multifaceted financial news and publishing company serving private and public entities, to spearhead its corporate communications efforts. SEGG Media aims to deliver immersive, real-time experiences through next-generation technology that redefines how audiences interact with their favorite content and communities. Following a full-scale corporate transformation and rebrand, the company now operates across three high-growth verticals: Sports.com, Entertainment and Lottery.com.

Partnerships

Amusnet Brasil has announced the official go live of its partnership with Cactus Gaming, a B2B platform serving some of the leading operators in the Brazilian market. With this integration, the game provider adds 25 new operators to its distribution network, further expanding its reach through a structure aligned with the regulated market. With operations now underway, Cactus clients gain access to a robust portfolio and features that enhance the end-user experience. Among the featured games now live are the fun and dynamic Coin Gobbler, the immersive Cavemen and Dinosaurs, and titles that have proven their success in multiple markets, such as Rise of Ra, Cocktail Dice and 7 & Crystals.

TaDa Gaming has signed a new partnership with EveryMatrix for further exposure in the North American iGaming market through its B2B aggregator platform SlotMatrix. Powered by EveryMatrix, SlotMatrix offers effortless integration of premium content across global platforms for boosted revenue and game offering. Following its parent company’s 2022 signing with BetMGM, the leading iGaming operator in the US, SlotMatrix has built a solid reputation with BetMGM players who will now be able to access TaDa content, beginning with latest Triluck release, 3 Coins Treasure, across the states of Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Mission Media AI, a next-generation cross-platform distribution and monetization company, has announced a strategic partnership with VsiN. The partnership strengthens Mission Media’s growing footprint in the sports space and unlocks new revenue opportunities for VsiN across their multitude of consumer touch points, including 8 regional sports networks, YouTube TV, SiriusXM channel 158, more than 20 weekly podcasts, streaming audio station, website and an app available for mobile and connected devices like iOS, Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, Google Play and LG. VsiN delivers real-time, actionable sports betting content from some of the most respected and trusted voices in the industry. Mission Media AI will scale VsiN’s monetization strategy, enabling premium access for advertisers looking to reach an engaged, data-driven audience.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 21-27 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Sportradar Launches AI-Driven “Bettor Sense” to Support Responsible Gambling

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8 hours ago

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July 29, 2025

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Brazilian operator BETesporte is first to adopt AI-powered solution

Sportradar Group AG has launched Bettor Sense, a personalized, proactive, and data-driven approach to user protection. BETesporte will be the first operator to implement the solution, reinforcing its commitment to safer and more responsible practices in Brazil’s newly regulated betting market.

Bettor Sense is an AI-powered solution that detects early signs of gambling-related risk and enables personalized interventions to protect end users. Developed with proprietary technology and grounded in behavioral research, Bettor Sense allows operators to act quickly and efficiently, promoting responsible gambling and strengthening brand reputation. Fully compliant with regulatory standards, Bettor Sense provides a critical tool for operators aiming to meet rising expectations around end user protection.

In addition to implementing Bettor Sense, BETesporte has also joined Sportradar’s Integrity Exchange, a global information-sharing network that enables betting operators to report suspicious betting activity directly to Sportradar’s Integrity Services division. This collaboration strengthens the industry’s collective ability to fight match-fixing and betting-related corruption through enhanced transparency and cooperation.

Tom Mace – SVP, Integrity & Regulatory Services, Product & Strategy at Sportradar, said: “This partnership with BETesporte marks an important milestone for Sportradar’s ongoing mission to help shape secure and sustainable sports betting and iGaming industries. BETesporte is taking a proactive step in embracing responsible gaming as a core part of its business. We are confident this will be the first of many partnerships, as the market increasingly recognizes the value of using data and technology to protect end users and strengthen compliance.”

Marcos Pereira – CEO of BETesporte said: “BETesporte is fully committed to transparency and security across all its operations. The partnership with Sportradar, through the integration of Bettor Sense and the Integrity Exchange, reinforces our dedication to fostering a responsible and ethical betting environment in line with regulatory standards. Sportradar’s advanced technology enables us to anticipate and prevent risky behavior, ensuring our bettors have the best possible experience with complete safety. We will continue working tirelessly to protect the integrity of sport and the trust of our users, which remains our top priority.”

The post Sportradar Launches AI-Driven “Bettor Sense” to Support Responsible Gambling appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Latest News

Make-A-Wish International Expands Presence in Gaming to Enable Future Wishes

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9 hours ago

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July 29, 2025

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Raptor PR, the specialist B2B communications agency for games, media, and tech brands, has been appointed by Make-A-Wish® International to lead strategic communications for its games industry fundraising initiatives. The global nonprofit, known for granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses, is partnering with Raptor PR to amplify its presence across the games sector and unlock new opportunities for engagement, awareness, and impact.

As part of this new partnership, Raptor PR will deploy a strategic communications campaign to support Make-A-Wish International’s growing charitable gaming program, with a focus on elevating brand awareness for its games industry activities, amplifying wish stories, and forging partnerships for the nonprofit across the global games industry.

Raptor PR is partnering with Make-A-Wish International on a pro bono basis, providing strategic consultancy and go-to-market services to elevate global brand visibility. The campaign will focus on high-impact thought leadership, authoritative media commentary, speaker engagement, and news announcements designed to drive awareness, advocacy, and support.

April Stallings, Charitable Gaming and Creators Community Manager at Make-A-Wish International, commented: “Many of our wish children use gaming as a lifeline to stay connected during their illness.  We want the games industry to become more aware of how they can help grant wishes and why we need them – and that requires the kind of expertise we know Raptor PR can provide.  Raptor PR brings deep expertise in gaming and strategic communications making them a natural partner to help us achieve our global mission. Team Raptor’s deep network across the games industry will be vital in opening doors, sparking partnerships, and scaling our impact. Together, we’re not just telling stories, we’re mobilising the games industry to become a more intentional force for good, enabling more children around the world to experience the life-changing power of a wish, when they need it most.”

Rana Rahman, Founder and CEO at Raptor PR, added: “When I met April Stallings from Make-A-Wish at Gamescom last year, I was deeply moved by the real-world impact the charity delivers. That moment inspired me to get involved with Raptor PR, and now, through our strategic communications support, we’re helping Make-A-Wish scale its message and reach across the global games industry. Our goal is to spark a broader movement, encouraging the games industry to embrace its potential as a force for good and give back in meaningful, sustained ways.”

In 2024, the Make-A-Wish International network granted more than 16,000 wishes for children living with critical illnesses. Both April Stallings and Rana Rahman will be attending this year’s gamescom conference in Cologne from the 18-22nd of August 2025.

The post Make-A-Wish International Expands Presence in Gaming to Enable Future Wishes appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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