The Gambling Commission has released its inaugural annual report on gambling behavior in Great Britain, marking a significant step towards understanding the complexities of gambling habits. This extensive survey, produced by the National Centre for Social Research and the University of Glasgow, aims to establish a comprehensive baseline for future comparisons.

Key Insights and Findings

The first report draws on responses from 9,804 participants, with the sample size expected to expand to around 20,000 by next year. This robust dataset provides detailed insights into gambling behaviors, attitudes, and the impact on individuals and their communities.

Participation Rates

• Overall Participation: 48% of adults aged 18 and over engaged in some form of gambling in the past four weeks.
• Excluding Lottery: Participation drops to 27% when lottery draws are excluded.
• Gender Differences: Male participants (52%) were more likely than female participants (44%) to have gambled in the past four weeks.

Experiences and Motivations

• Positive Experiences: 41% of adults who gambled in the past 12 months rated their last gambling experience positively, while 21% rated it negatively and 37% were neutral.
• Motivations for Gambling: The primary reasons for gambling included:
  • The chance of winning big money (86%)
  • Fun (70%)
  • Making money (58%)
  • Excitement (55%)

Consequences of Gambling

• Problem Gambling Severity: Males and individuals aged 18-34 had higher Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores.
• High-Risk Activities:
  • Those betting on non-sports events in person had PGSI scores of 8 or more at a rate over 9 times higher than the general gambling population.
  • Participants gambling on online slots had PGSI scores of 8 or more at a rate over 6 times higher.

Methodology and Future Comparisons

The survey employs a push-to-web mixed mode design and random probability sampling from the Postcode Address File, ensuring high-quality and representative data. It’s important to note that estimates from this survey are not directly comparable to previous surveys due to methodological differences and a larger sample size.

Tim Miller, Executive Director of Research and Policy at the Gambling Commission, stated: “One of our aims as a regulator is to ensure we gather the best possible evidence on gambling – and today’s publication is the next significant step forward in our journey on creating a robust source of evidence for gambling in Great Britain.”

Professor Patrick Sturgis from the London School of Economics commented: “The new design of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain will significantly enhance the evidence base on patterns and trends in gambling behavior.”

Guidance on Data Interpretation

The Gambling Commission has issued guidance to ensure the correct interpretation of the new statistics. The Commission emphasizes that this report’s estimates should not be compared with those from previous surveys to assess trends over time. The Commission remains committed to preventing the misuse of these statistics and ensuring their accurate representation.

This first annual report sets a new benchmark for understanding gambling behavior in Britain, providing a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers. The Commission will continue to refine and expand its evidence base to support informed decision-making in the regulation of gambling.

Sources:

First Gambling Survey for Great Britain Annual Report published, gamblingcommission.gov.uk, July 25, 2024.

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The Nevada Gaming Commission criticized Penn Entertainment for major issues with compliance, such as having minors in casinos, allowing self-excluded persons to place bets, and slow updating of company policies. These failures became a key subject during the evaluation of Penn’s ongoing IPO, which was approved despite the raised concerns.

Penn Entertainment Pledges Policy Overhaul Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

Penn Entertainment, which operates 43 American casinos including M Resort Spa Casino in Henderson and Cactus Pete’s Resort Casino in Jackpot, was subjected to intense scrutiny, reported CDC Gaming. Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey pointed out that persistent problems with compliance had been detected since 2020 when they were flagged up by previous examinations.

Chris Soriano, vice president and chief compliance officer at Penn Entertainment, told the Commission that the firm intends to complete its policy review by August 15. This delay has been caused by a far-reaching examination conducted together with outside legal counsel and a deep dive into its interactive business operations aimed at creating strong policies that work.

But Solis-Rainey expressed dissatisfaction with this postponement and asked what temporary measures are being taken to prevent more breaches. In response, Soriano said that Penn can improve communication among its properties and is working on a corporate policy that accounts for different regulatory environments across states. He admitted that dealing with 20 regulators each having unique priorities is difficult.

Penn Entertainment Faces Pressure to Enhance Internal Controls and Staff Training

Soriano explained about a recent initiative where information is provided to general managers who are then monitored for subsequent violations. This new system is being evaluated for effectiveness. Solis-Rainey, however, emphasized that improved communication alone is insufficient without corresponding internal controls. She stressed the need for tailored controls at each property to meet the overarching policy standards.

Commissioner George Markantonis agreed with these sentiments and further suggested that tying employee compensation directly to compliance performance could be effective. Commissioner Brian Krolicki acknowledged the complexity of managing compliance across 43 properties but underscored the critical need for swift and serious action. He noted that while progress had been made, the pace was unsatisfactory.

Soriano told the Commission that the company is serious about these issues and plans to meet with the Nevada Gaming Control Board in September for updates. He said that they are considering if staff training is enough because well-drafted policies need trained employees to implement them correctly.

Abi Silver was shocked by how many violations were reported and expressed concern at the extent of the issues. Soriano reiterated Penn’s commitment to addressing these concerns, recognizing the importance of a top-down approach to ensure that management and staff take compliance seriously.

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Across the globe, gambling operators enter into arrangements with individuals who help them bring high rollers to their casino floors. Companies that offer such activities are known as junket operators across Asia. In the United States, people who help bring high rollers to casinos are known as independent agents. It’s not a surprise that licensed gambling operators in Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the world, engage with independent agents who help them boost their business.

Usually, independent agents have ties with rich individuals and have access to incentives for their customers. Unsurprisingly, independent agents usually earn commissions based on individual clients they refer to casinos. Some agents work with multiple casino operators, in an effort to ensure the best experiences for their big-spending customers.

Now, a new report reveals that the gambling watchdog in Nevada approved changes to the regulatory framework for registered independent agents in the state. As announced by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) greenlighted changes to Regulation 25 for independent agents that help bring high-roller customers to the state’s casino operators.

Previously, gambling operators had to submit mandatory quarterly reports revealing financial data regarding the independent agents they collaborate with. This requirement was later changed to annual reporting, before the most recent change. Under the new rules, licensed gambling operators would have to hold records for the activities of independent agents rather than submitting reports.

Per the change, licensees would have to be able to present the recorded data for the independent agents they work with. They will be required to keep such a record for a period of five years and present it in case of an inspection by the state’s gambling regulator.

Reducing the Regulatory Burden for Gambling Operators

The approved change effectively seeks to reduce the paperwork gambling operators are required to go through every year. Still, licensees would be required to keep on file information such as when they entered into a contract with an independent agent, when that contract end and how much was the agent paid.

According to Diane Presson, a supervisor with the NGC, there are more than 300 independent agents that are collaborating with casinos across Nevada. She added that some of those agents have active business-to-business relationships with multiple resorts at the same time. Finally, Presson pointed out that while the Commission will retain monitoring of the activities of independent agents, it has decided to leave this “at the property level” rather than requiring the operators to report those activities annually.

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has unveiled plans for a pilot scheme aimed at implementing enhanced financial risk checks. This move comes amidst mounting pressure for tighter regulations within the gambling industry.

UKGC’s Tim Miller Unveils Measures to Enhance Financial Risk Checks

UKGC’s executive director of research and policy, Tim Miller, outlined the steps being taken in response to feedback gathered from consultations regarding financial risk checks. These checks, as proposed by the government’s Gambling White Paper, aim to identify and intervene in cases where customers may be financially vulnerable due to their gambling habits.

The pilot scheme comprises two tiers of checks. The first tier focuses on identifying vulnerabilities such as bankruptcy orders or unpaid debts, utilizing publicly available data. Notably, feedback from the consultation has led to adjustments, ensuring that these checks will not delve into customers’ personal details like postcode or job title. Initially, these checks will be implemented at a higher threshold before transitioning to a lower threshold later in the year to streamline the process for consumers.

The second tier involves enhanced financial risk assessments triggered by significant losses, requiring more comprehensive scrutiny of a customer’s financial situation. 

Miller emphasized the UKGC’s commitment to making these checks as seamless as possible for the majority of customers.

UKGC’s Pilot Program Paves the Way for Safer Gambling Practices

The pilot, scheduled to last between four to six months, will serve as a testing ground for data-sharing mechanisms involving credit reference agencies and gambling operators. During this period, operators will not be mandated to act on the data received but must continue to uphold existing consumer safety measures.

Miller highlighted the importance of data collected during the pilot phase, which will inform the final thresholds and definitions for implementing these checks effectively. The UKGC intends to lay out detailed guidelines within its forthcoming response document.

In response to these developments, a spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council emphasized the need for swift yet unobtrusive interventions for those displaying signs of financial vulnerability. They stressed the importance of ensuring that responsible gamblers are not unduly affected and that any new measures do not inadvertently drive individuals towards unregulated gambling platforms.

Moreover, the government is expected to announce new regulations soon, including a maximum stake limit for online slots, aimed at curbing excessive gambling among young adults.

The UKGC’s pilot scheme marks a significant step forward in addressing concerns surrounding gambling-related harm, balancing consumer protection with the freedom to gamble responsibly.

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Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), a provider of high-quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, announced that it has been approved as an Independent Test Lab in North Carolina.

Having been greenlit by the NC State Lottery Commission, GLI now has authorization to evaluate gambling equipment, software and processes for compliance with state law and commission rules.

This approval further expands the company’s presence in the US, cementing it as a leading test lab. For reference, GLI is an authorized test lab for 65 lotteries and for 707 markets across the world. The company excels in a variety of compliance-related services, including regulatory compliance, technical compliance, end-to-end testing and full lifecycle compliance.

GLI’s latest approval was praised by the company’s vice president of global lottery solutions, Angela Wong. She expressed her team’s excitement saying that GLI is thrilled to be approved to test and certify for the North Carolina State Lottery Commission.

Our testing and consultation services are unmatched because we combine innovation with compliance and a global reach and presence that gives our clients a world of insight.

Angela Wong, VP of global lottery solutions, GLI

GLI Continues to Expand Its Influence and Team

In other news, GLI recently secured accreditation for its testing laboratories in India and Canada. This followed accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).

Back then, GLI said that this accreditation attests to its ongoing commitment to the highest possible quality testing services. For reference, all of the testing specialist’s labs are currently operating under the latest requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

In other news, GLI recently reinforced its team with two major promotions. The company promoted the experienced Ginnie Hollis and Samantha Powell as vice presidents of engineering. Hollis is based in GLI’s office in Colorado, USA, and will take care of the company’s digital operations. In the meantime, Powell, who is based in GLI’s office in Adelaide, Australia, was tasked with supporting the testing provider’s land-based-related operations.

The promotion of Hollis and Powell followed the appointment of Richard Howarth as chief business officer for the APAC region.

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In the aftermath of former State Representative Sean Eberhart’s guilty plea to federal corruption charges, the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the integrity of the gaming industry. 

IGC Operations Remain Unscathed Amidst Corruption Allegations

Despite the gravity of the corruption case, IGC Deputy Director Jennifer Reske assured the public that the IGC’s operations would not be significantly affected. 

Eberhart’s plea involved allegations that he accepted a position with Spectacle Gaming, complete with a substantial $350,000 annual salary, in exchange for supporting Gaming Bill HEA 1015 in 2019. This bill, which had far-reaching implications for the state’s gaming industry, now stands at the center of the corruption charges.

The purported offense occurred several years ago, specifically in late 2018 and early 2019. According to legal records, during this period, Spectacle Entertainment, a gaming company, expressed interest in acquiring licenses for two Indiana-based casinos. 

In Indiana, obtaining approval for the purchase and relocation of casino licenses requires endorsement from the state’s legislators. Typically, such approvals are facilitated through the passage of bills. 

Eberhart’s guilty plea in the case, involving charges of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, could lead to a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. However, Judge Matthew P. Brookman of the Southern District Court of Indiana has not yet set a date for sentencing.

Corruption Concerns Prompt Indiana Leaders to Exclude Gaming Legislation in 2024

Legislative leaders, including House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, have unanimously decided to exclude any gaming-related bills from the 2024 legislative agenda. The decision reflects Indiana’s commitment to restoring public confidence in the integrity of the Statehouse. 

Bray emphasized the challenges posed by corruption, asserting that it tainted the Statehouse and diminished the confidence people had in the integrity of the Statehouse.

The IGC’s alignment with this decision underscores its dedication to ensuring the gaming industry’s integrity rather than pursuing immediate legislative changes.

Deputy Director Reske reiterated the commission’s support for the US Department of Justice’s efforts in investigating Eberhart’s dealings with Spectacle. Reske affirmed that the commission highly appreciated the efforts of the Department of Justice and the initiatives they were undertaking, not only within the state but also in other states, to combat public corruption. She further expressed the commission’s commitment to providing as much support as possible.

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Greece’s independent administrative authority that regulates, supervises, and audits games of chance carried out in the country, the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC/EEEC in Greek), has used the voice of president Dimitris Dzanatos to issue a series of black market warnings. 

Dzanatos verbalized the warnings during the most recent Economist Conference on the topic of “Online Gaming: Prospects, Challenges and Responsibility,” which also marked the conference’s 27th edition. 

“Very Large Sums” Played via Illegal Operators

President Dzanatos explained that very large amounts of money are currently being played with operators outside the law, something that has led to a significant financial loss while creating unfair competition with legal gaming and betting suppliers. 

According to an HGC statement, Dzanatos also explained that it is necessary to obtain a better-organized response that is also more “methodical” to the current black market problems and all the risks associated with it in regard to the regulated gambling sector.

The authority’s president proposed that government representatives, independent authorities, as well as gaming service providers show their support for “collaborative actions for safe play and dealing with problems and social impacts.”

The HGC has been trying to pursue this objective for a while now, including via the Gaming Regulators European Forum where the Greek gambling authority formed ties with similar gambling authorities in other European countries with the purpose of countering the black market. 

Incredible Growth for the Greek Online Gambling Market 

So far, Dzanatos explained that Greece’s online gambling market “more than doubled” in the past five years between 2019 and 2023, from €437 million ($463 million) to €889 million ($942 million).

In May, the government voted to increase the €2 ($2.14) cap on online wagers while also boosting the value of maximum slots Jackpots. The changes brought by the Ministry of Finance followed the Year-1 review of the relaunched gambling market in the country. 

At the moment, Greece counts 15 active holders of gambling and gaming licenses including a manufacturer A1 suitability license issued to Spinomenal at the head of the year. The country embraced the latest industry framework in 2021.

In August, the commission started a series of talks regarding a potential introduction of a self-exclusion register, along with individual player cards, and studio spaces dedicated to live casino dealers.

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The leading international business-to-customer sports betting operator and North American business-to-business provider of real money internet gaming solutions, GAN, announced it achieved a major milestone in Nevada. The company revealed Friday that it secured regulatory approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission, the state governmental agency in charge of regulating gambling activities together with the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The latest achievement represents a milestone moment for GAN as it enables the company to start a field trial for its GAN Sports betting platform. As a result, the company can conduct trials of its betting platform for customers in Nevada.

Still, to launch its innovative technology in the state, the company requires an additional certification. According to a statement released by GAN, its sports betting platform GAN Sports is prepared with the necessary infrastructure required for its deployment into the regulated gambling market in Nevada. This infrastructure encompasses retail sports betting, as well as mobile applications, the company revealed.

The latest announcement comes after GAN secured a conditional Nevada license earlier this month. The aforementioned license enabled the company to replace the sports betting platform for Red Rock Resorts’ sportsbooks located in Southern Nevada.

The Company Looks Forward to Launching GAN Sports

Seamus McGill, GAN’s chairman and interim CEO, shared his excitement about the latest regulatory approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission. He said that the company is thrilled about this achievement. Moreover, McGill pointed out that GAN anticipates introducing GAN Sports, its innovative sports product, to customers in Nevada soon.

The company’s chairman and interim CEO added: “The Las Vegas Locals market is one of the largest and most recognizable gaming markets in the world, and we are incredibly excited to be entering it.” Finally, McGill explained that Nevada marks the third US state where GAN Sports will launch and predicted that the solution would bring unrivaled experiences to the market.

“We are very pleased and humbled to have received regulatory approval from the State of Nevada to hold a gaming license. We are excited that we will be launching our leading-edge GAN Sports product in Nevada in the next few months.“

Seamus McGill, chairman and interim CEO of GAN

Late last month, McGill was appointed to the role of interim CEO. At the time, GAN confirmed that it accepted the resignation of its then-CEO, Dermot Smurfit. With Smurfit stepping down from his role, McGill filled in the interim CEO position. It is likely that GAN has already initiated a search for a permanent CEO to fill the role.

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Mississippi’s gambling regulator, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, published its sports wagering report for September 2023. The report highlights the performance of the state’s sportsbooks and shows which sports were the most popular among players.

In terms of sports betting handle, the Magnolia State’s sportsbooks managed to surpass the $50 billion mark, exceeding the results recorded in September 2022 when the local punters wagered $43,139,310. For reference, September 2023 saw Mississippians wager a total of $51,647,914 on sports. This figure translated into taxable revenue of $8,144,027 billion, which was lower than the revenue recorded in September 2022.

Coastal Mississippi contributed $33,494,794 of the total handle. Bettors in Central Mississippi, on the other hand, wagered $12,331,034. Northern Mississippi sports betting handle, meanwhile, lagged behind at $5,822,085.

Football Remained a Top Performer

The commission also published data about the most popular sports among bettors. According to the data provided by the commission, football remained the most popular sport in the state, although the total football handle experienced a decline in all areas but Central Mississippi. For reference, fans wagered a total of $5,935,048, $19,332,644 and $3,434,245 in Central, Coastal and Northern Mississippi, respectively.

Basketball was another strong contender, recording a handle of $166,396, $235,916 and $191,021 in Central, Coastal and Northern Mississippi, respectively.

Baseball fans in Central Mississippi wagered $1,291,297. Those in Coastal Mississippi bet $3,862,924 more. The baseball handle in Northern Mississippi lagged behind at $342,744.

Parlay cards remained a popular vertical, causing players in Central, Coastal and Northern Mississippi to bet $4,830,155, $5,359,855 and $1,542,319, respectively.

Other sports contributed $108,136, $4,703,453 and $311,754 in handle in Central, Coastal and Northern Mississippi, respectively.

In the meantime, the American Gaming Association published its Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker for August, reporting on the industry’s performance. Mississippi’s results for the period experienced a slight year-on-year decline of 3.7%.

In the meantime, the overall US gambling industry continued to perform well thanks to the contributions of the iGaming sector. According to experts, the favorable figures may signify a third record-breaking year for the US gambling industry.

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In a significant move last week, the Washington State Gambling Commission voted 3-2 to increase the maximum bet size in cardrooms from $300 to $400. This marks the first increase in betting limits in more than a decade, allowing players to wager larger amounts while playing card games in these establishments.

Back in 1997, Washington made the decision to legalize house-banked cardrooms, creating social environments where players could enjoy card games while also indulging in food and drinks. Over time, the wagering limits in these cardrooms have undergone several adjustments, with the most recent increase raising the limit to $400.

The decision to raise the betting limits was not without controversy. Commissioners Julia Patterson, Bud Sizemore, and Alicia Levy supported the increase, citing the original intent of the Legislature to allow these neighborhood casinos to thrive. Bud Sizemore, a Washington Gambling Regulator Commissioner, expressed confidence in the rationale and legislative authority behind the decision.

On the other hand, Commissioners Sarah Lawson and Anders Ibsen opposed the proposal, arguing that the increase did not align with the primary purpose of cardrooms, which was to primarily focus on selling food and drink while offering social card games as a means to boost sales.

The tribal operators were among the strongest opponents of the increase. They pointed to a provision in the cardroom regulations that emphasized the importance of social card games serving as a “commercial stimulant” to increase food and beverage sales. The federally recognized tribes, whose casinos currently have wager limits of $500 and higher, argued that the new regulation violated this provision.

Maverick Gaming, an operator of gaming facilities and owner of 23 out of the 38 house-banked cardrooms licensed in Washington, had initially petitioned for a higher increase to $500. They sought the hike to cope with rising operating costs and to level the playing field with tribal casinos, which had higher betting limits. Despite their request being reduced to $400, Maverick Gaming welcomed the decision, seeing it as a victory for their efforts to engage with regulators.

The higher betting limits are expected to provide a major boost to cardroom operators, including Maverick Gaming and others. These establishments are likely to benefit from increased revenues as players now have the opportunity to place larger bets while enjoying card games in a social environment.

The new rule will take effect 31 days after being filed with the code reviser. As cardroom operators gear up for the changes, it remains to be seen how this increase in betting limits will impact the dynamics of the gambling landscape in Washington State.

More casino & gambling news

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