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New support for NHS to treat gambling addiction
The NHS is set to benefit as new levy will raise an estimated £100 million of new funding for research, prevention and treatment of gambling addiction.
Following publication of the gambling white paper in April, the Government is now taking the next step in mandating payments from the sector by launching a consultation on the design of the proposed gambling operator levy.
Currently, not all gambling companies contribute equally towards the existing voluntary levy, with some operators paying as little as £1 towards research, prevention and treatment. The Government is therefore acting to ensure all operators contribute their fair share.
In order to improve research, prevention and treatment of gambling harm, the Government is minded to set the levy as a new 1% fee on gross gambling yield for online gambling operators, while traditional betting shops and casinos will pay a proposed fee of around 0.4%.
The white paper has proposed a fair and proportionate approach to levy rates between various operators, taking into account the difference, for example, in operating costs and the levels of harmful gambling associated with different gambling activities.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:
We are taking the next step in our plan to protect those most at risk of gambling harm with a new levy on gambling operators to pay for treatment and research.
All gambling operators will be required to pay their fair share and this consultation is an opportunity for the industry, clinicians, those who have experienced gambling harm and the wider public to have their say on how the proposed gambling operator levy should work.
The introduction of this levy will strengthen the safety net and help deliver our long-term plan to help build stronger communities while allowing millions of people to continue to gamble safely.
Technology has reshaped where, when and how people gamble and there has been a significant rise in online gambling behaviour due to the ease of access on smartphones, with people able to gamble anytime and anywhere.
Figures from the NHS Digital Health Survey also indicate that some of these online products are associated with elevated levels of gambling-related addiction and harm with ‘problem gambling’ rates eight times higher for online slots and casino game players than in the population as a whole.
Under the proposed levy, the gambling industry will no longer have a say over how money for research, prevention and treatment is spent. Instead, the Gambling Commission will distribute funding directly to the NHS and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which coordinates research and innovation funding, under the strategic direction of government. The levy will be underpinned by legislation meaning firms will be required to pay.
The funding delivered through the levy, which will deliver substantial new investment for the NHS in England, Scotland and Wales, will increase access to treatment and support for those experiencing gambling-related harm. It will also help to develop a truly national approach to prevention and fund independent, high-quality research to inform policy and practice.
In July this year, the NHS announced that seven new specialist gambling addiction clinics will open in Milton Keynes, Thurrock, Derby, Bristol, Liverpool, Blackpool and Sheffield this year. This is in addition to the seven clinics already in operation in London, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, and Telford, as well as an additional national clinic, which treats both gambling and gaming addiction in children and young people, in London.
Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said:
We know that gambling addiction can devastate lives, which is why we are working quickly to implement our bold plans for reform.
This consultation brings us a step closer to being able to provide £100 million of new funding for research, prevention and treatment, including ring fenced investment for the NHS to help gambling addicts.
Gambling firms should always pay their fair share and this new statutory levy will ensure that they are legally required to do just that.
Health Minister Neil O’Brien said:
Harmful gambling can affect people’s savings, ruin relationships, and devastate people’s lives and health.
Gambling companies should pay their fair share towards the costs of treatment services, but we want to hear from as many people as possible about how the new statutory levy should work.
We continue working to support those affected by gambling harms. Twelve of the planned fifteen NHS gambling addictions clinics have now opened across the country providing vital support services for thousands of people experiencing gambling-related harms as well as their loved ones. The remaining three are expected to open by the end of the year.”
Henrietta Bowden-Jones, National Clinical Advisor for Gambling Harms, said:
I welcome this Levy which reflects the government’s decision to fund gambling treatment, prevention, research and education in an independent and evidence- based way allowing us to continue our work of eradicating all gambling harms from society.”
NHS mental health director Claire Murdoch said:
Gambling addiction destroys people’s lives and with record numbers turning to the NHS for support, the health service has met this demand head on by opening four new specialist clinics in recent months, with a further three opening later this year.
The NHS has long called for a statutory levy because it is only right that this billion-pound industry steps up to support people suffering from gambling addiction and I am pleased that action is being taken to prevent people from coming to harm in the first place. It is now vital we continue working in partnership to ensure we provide effective prevention, education and treatment for this condition.
The Government’s gambling white paper, published in April 2023, set out a range of measures to improve player protections and reduce the risk of gambling addiction and harm in the smartphone era. Measures such as financial risk checks to better alert operators to risky behaviours, stake limits for online slots, tighter controls on marketing of bonuses and a new mandatory gambling operator levy are designed to reduce risk and improve player protections.
The Government and Gambling Commission continue to implement the measures set out in the white paper with a view to having key elements in place in summer 2024.
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ACR POKER’S FLAGSHIP ONLINE SUPER SERIES LAUNCHES THIS MARCH WITH $25 MILLION IN GUARANTEED PRIZE POOLS
Climb the OSS Leaderboard to win a share of $35,000 in cash and tournament tickets
Building on the momentum of its revamped tournament schedule, which features expanded events, bigger guarantees, and faster gameplay, ACR Poker is rolling out its flagship Online Super Series (OSS) with $25 million in guaranteed prize pools from March 16th to 31st.
“Playing in the Online Super Series is always a great experience, and this time, it’s back with $25 million in guarantees across a diverse range of tournaments and buy-ins, ensuring there’s something for every player to enjoy,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker.
Players can get ready for an action-packed OSS, headlined by two Main Events starting on Sunday, March 23rd: the $1.5 million guaranteed ($1,050 buy-in) and the $750,000 guaranteed ($215 buy-in). Adding to the excitement, the $1 million guaranteed ($630 buy-in) Main Multiflight Event kicks off on Sunday, March 16th.
In addition, this year’s OSS lineup features three Mystery Bounty Multiflight events, including a supersized $500,000 guaranteed tournament with a $109 buy-in. For players seeking more budget-friendly options, the $200,000 guaranteed ($33 buy-in) and the $75,000 guaranteed ($5.50 buy-in) events are also on offer. Day 1 flights for these events begin this Sunday.
What’s more, ACR Poker is bringing back its OSS Leaderboard Contest. Players can compete for a share of over $35,000 in cash and tournament tickets, spread across two separate leaderboards with high ($44 and over) and low ($33 and under) buy-in levels.
Players can keep track and add their favorite OSS events to their calendar easily with ACR Poker’s online tournament schedule.
Online Super Series highlights:
- $25 million in guaranteed prize pools
- $35,000 Leaderboard Contest
- Small, medium and large buy-ins
- $1.5 million guaranteed Main Event, $1 million guaranteed Main Multiflight Event
- Three Mystery Bounty tournaments (including $500,000 guaranteed)
Beyond the OSS, ACR Poker is just getting started with its turbocharged poker offerings. Players can jump into the revamped tournament schedule, take their shot in the Punta del Este Satellites on March 9th and 16th to win one of 16 packages ($5,500 value each) to the Enjoy Poker Tour in Uruguay, and prepare for a massive April lineup featuring two Venom tournaments.
For more information on the $25 million guaranteed Online Super Series, read the ACR Poker blog or visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER’S FLAGSHIP ONLINE SUPER SERIES LAUNCHES THIS MARCH WITH $25 MILLION IN GUARANTEED PRIZE POOLS appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BitLine
Bitline and Everi Announce Crypto Liquidity for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts in Industry First Development
Bitline, the only provider for casino chip access directly from cryptocurrency, has announced its first major collaboration in the U.S. casino market, teaming up with Choctaw Casinos & Resorts through its collaboration with Everi’s CashClub, the leading financial access services suit for casino payments. This collaboration introduces cryptocurrency and digital assets as a new source of liquidity for casino patrons and marks the first time that such a functionality has been enabled within the American gaming industry.
Leveraging Everi’s CashClub’s comprehensive payment infrastructure, Bitline’s solution is able to efficiently board, screen and verify patrons looking to leverage their digital assets whilst also allowing patrons to move screened assets into custody within minutes. Bitline’s integration with Everi’s CashClub, will enable the technology for the benefit of Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, and is the first time that such a functionality has been possible in the U.S. regulated casino market.
The collaboration works to cater to the growing demand for greater cryptocurrency and digital asset integration within the casino industry. The collaboration between Bitline and Everi’s CashClub forms a transferable blueprint that offers casino operators and their patrons an alternative way to manage funds, access liquidity, and leverage the benefits of cryptocurrency and other digital assets.
This milestone reflects a strategic shift in how casino operators view and manage financial interactions with their guests. The introduction of cryptocurrency as a liquidity solution provides additional options for guests and lays the foundation for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts as it looks to the future of gaming sector finance, setting a new standard in financial accessibility and convenience.
“Working with Choctaw Casinos & Resorts and Everi’s CashClub to make this a reality is a historical moment for both the casino and blockchain industries. Bitline was conceptualized to advance the gaming sector and offer a wider variety of financial options for the casino industry,” said Richard Jones, CEO at Bitline. “We’re entering an era where digital assets can fundamentally enhance the gaming experience, providing casino operators with a future-ready financial framework that can expand and evolve as the industry does. This collaboration is just the beginning of our vision to modernize casino payment capabilities on a global scale.”
“We are excited to be the first casino in North America to offer our guests another way to play,” said Thomas McDonald, Senior Director of Cage and Credit at Choctaw Casinos & Resorts. “Through our long-term relationship with Everi, a leader in fintech solutions, we will continue to invest in innovative offerings that provide the discerning gaming VIP access to funds in a safe and secure manner.”
The Choctaw Casinos & Resorts integration represents only the first phase of Bitline’s broader mission to bring cryptocurrency solutions to casinos and casino patrons worldwide. As cryptocurrency and digital assets continue to gain traction in the gaming sector, Bitline’s easy to integrate and patented payment model stands poised to become a key player in transforming gaming finance. Future plans include expanding services across other major casinos and gaming markets, both domestically and internationally, establishing cryptocurrency as a new standard feature of the gaming experience.
The solution is to be formally rolled out on March 7, 2025, with the first transaction taking place at Choctaw’s Durant, Oklahoma, location.
The post Bitline and Everi Announce Crypto Liquidity for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts in Industry First Development appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Another step in expanding into this dynamic market
DATA.BET strengthens its foothold in the Latin American market with its presence at BiS SiGMA Americas 2025. This marks the provider’s debut with the booth at Brazilian’s show, highlighting its ambitious plans to present its premium esports betting and virtual content solutions.
At the stand E140, DATA.BET’s team will connect with current and potential clients and partners to introduce esports betting and data products enhancements. Visitors can explore technically upgraded Single Page Application (SPA) and interactive widgets designed to optimize the betting experience, especially for mobile devices, and operational efficiency. In addition, the company offers extensive esports coverage with 35+ disciplines and over 12,500 live events monthly. Together with its virtual sports lineup that features 600,000 events yearly, DATA.BET provides a broad spectrum of betting content.
“As the industry evolves, we remain focused on equipping operators with comprehensive solutions needed to succeed,” said Otto Bonning, Head of Sales at DATA.BET. “LatAm represents a key market for many betting companies. Our presence at BiS SiGMA Americas 2025 underscores the dedication to this region and businesses that aim to develop it, and we can’t wait to connect with leading professionals and partners.”
The post DATA.BET Joins BiS SiGMA Americas 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
ACR POKER’S FLAGSHIP ONLINE SUPER SERIES LAUNCHES THIS MARCH WITH $25 MILLION IN GUARANTEED PRIZE POOLS
Bitline and Everi Announce Crypto Liquidity for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts in Industry First Development
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