The development of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) has received a significant endorsement from Professor Patrick Sturgis of the London School of Economics, marking a crucial step towards the production of reliable and comprehensive gambling statistics for the nation.

GSGB Receives Acclaim for Methodological Excellence and Innovative Approach

The independent assessment, released on February 19, lauded the GSGB’s methodological approach, describing it as “exemplary in all respects.” Professor Sturgis, while acknowledging the importance of the survey’s development, also offered several recommendations aimed at addressing key unresolved issues.

The GSGB represents a departure from previous methodologies, transitioning from quarterly telephone interviews to a ‘push-to-web’ survey focused solely on gambling activities. This shift, according to Sturgis, allows for a considerably larger sample size, with an anticipated 20,000 annual responses compared to the previous 4,000.

In his evaluation, Sturgis highlighted the success of the pilot study conducted by the UK Gambling Commission in January and February 2022, which yielded 1,078 responses. The survey’s response rate of 21% was deemed comparable to similar ‘push-to-web’ surveys conducted in the UK, indicating its feasibility and potential for accurate population estimates.

“The move to self-completion was the correct decision,” stated Sturgis, emphasizing the necessity of adapting survey methodologies to address declining response rates and the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. He commended the UK Gambling Commission for consulting widely with stakeholders and adhering to industry standards in developing the GSGB.

UKGC Embraces Sturgis’s Recommendations for Improved Gambling Data

Despite endorsing the survey’s development, Sturgis outlined seven recommendations for the UK Gambling Commission to address remaining unresolved issues. These recommendations include conducting research to understand survey response biases, evaluating question biases for online respondents, and exploring opportunities to benchmark GSGB estimates against face-to-face interviews in the future.

Tim Miller, executive director of the UK Gambling Commission, welcomed Sturgis’s recommendations, reaffirming the commission’s commitment to leveraging better data for improved regulation and outcomes. Miller emphasized the importance of understanding the impact of changes to the survey design and methodology, signaling a commitment to ongoing evolution and improvement.

The endorsement of the GSGB marks a significant milestone in the quest for more accurate and comprehensive gambling statistics in the UK.

The UK Gambling Commission aims to enhance gambling regulations by improving data collection methodologies, believing that better data leads to better regulation and outcomes.

Through extensive consultations and collaboration with stakeholders, including the government and academic experts, the Commission made significant progress in developing the GSGB, to produce reliable statistics to inform policymaking and ensure effective regulation of the gambling sector.

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Online casino operator Videoslots has announced the appointment of Anna Komemi as chief operating officer (COO). Komemi boasts nearly twenty years of industry experience and will contribute her substantial insights accumulated at companies like Ladbrokes, Playtech, and Aspire. Her diverse expertise makes her an invaluable addition amidst rising regulatory uncertainties.

Komemi Boasts an Impressive Track Record

With a career reaching back to 2007, Komemi has held positions in various Playtech-owned businesses, gaining expertise in poker, risk management, and online support. Her experience extends across diverse jurisdictions, including Israel, Bulgaria, and the Philippines. This expertise gives her a unique outlook on various markets and should bolster Videoslots’ global expansion efforts.

The newly appointed COO expressed her excitement about joining the company and anticipation of contributing to its full potential. She acknowledged the fantastic group of industry professionals at Videoslots and expressed confidence in her ability to bolster Videoslots’ 2024 ambitions, setting the stage for enduring success.

“The team is made up of a fantastic group of industry professionals with great knowledge and experience and… I look forward to helping the business develop to its full potential.”

Anna Komem, Videoslots COO

In her most recent position, Komemi served as CEO/Executive Manager at Marketplay. She played a crucial role in establishing the white-label casino company in Malta, crafting operational business plans, contributing to strategic development, and bolstering the overall success and growth of the organization. These skills will be invaluable in her new position as she helps propel Videoslots to new heights.

The Company Aims to Expand Its Business

Videoslots exits 2023 with mixed results. The operator achieved several notable successes, concluding strategic partnerships and paving the way for future expansion in high-profile jurisdictions. However, the company faced significant compliance challenges, suffering substantial fines in the UK and Sweden due to AML failings. It can hopefully learn from these mistakes and shore up any regulatory shortcomings.

Ulle Skottling, deputy CEO at Videoslots, expressed delight in welcoming Anna to the team, highlighting her passion and commitment to the industry. Skottling anticipated she would strengthen Videoslots’ team as they aim for expansion in 2024. The operator has revealed plans to launch in the highly-contested North American market, with the company choosing Canada as its gateway country.

“She has made a significant impact within the sector over nearly two decades and will undoubtedly strengthen our team.”

Ulle Skottling, Videoslots deputy CEO

Based in Malta, Anna Komemi’s role as COO at Videoslots will be instrumental as the online casino operator gears up for strategic growth. The appointment reflects Videoslots’ commitment to onboarding experienced professionals to drive the company’s development and success in the dynamic online casino industry.

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Efforts toward responsible gambling over the last few years across North America have expanded. Amid the growing popularity of online gambling and sports betting, a need is observed in education on the risks of gambling and the promotion of responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits or spending limits, among other methods that seek to reduce at-risk or problem gambling.

Recently, one of Canada’s thirteen provinces, Prince Edward Island (PEI), launched a new website that underlines its commitment to responsible gambling. The website of the PEI Department of Health and Wellness offers support for people suffering from problem gambling or at-risk gambling, providing information along with a toll-free line for anyone who wishes to speak to a professional.

The website reveals that there are nearly 10 signs that people can identify they are suffering from a gambling addiction. Notably, two signs stand out as the most important and apply to people who cannot control how much money or time they spend on gambling. On the other hand, people who continuously engage in gambling activities knowing that they lose money or cause harm to their families may also be suffering from problem gambling, according to the website.

Website Needs to Offer More Resources, Information

While the new website of the Department of Health and Wellness reaffirms PEI’s commitment toward responsible gambling, an expert on gambling addiction said that more needs to be done. As announced by CBC News, Elizabeth Stephen, a Halifax-based counseling therapist who specializes in providing support to people affected by problem gambling, the website is a “missed opportunity” for the province. She criticized the information shared via the new website, claiming that more resources need to be available for individuals from the province who seek help due to a gambling-related issue.

According to Stephen, the successful reduction of problem gambling would also mean reducing the profits from the activity. She was baffled by the links the new website offered to Atlantic Lotto, outlining that businesses or organizations that benefit from gambling activities should not be referenced via a website that seeks to reduce gambling harm. Stephen explained: “It’s a hard choice, you know, to reduce harm. It means that the profit’s going to be reduced.”

The Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction recently outlined its Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines, describing in detail how individuals can reduce their expenses related to gambling. While those guidelines clearly reveal what percentage of their income can different individuals spend on gambling monthly depending on their annual income, this is not the case for the new PEI website, warned Stephen.

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In half a decade, the sports betting market in North America has seen exponential growth. In the US the repeal of PASPA contributed toward the statewide expansion of the activity that is now available to millions of Americans within more than 30 different states. Similarly, in neighboring Canada, Ontario introduced legal online sports betting last year in April. The market was immediately identified as one of the most lucrative jurisdictions for North America. But while wagering attracts more bettors, fears about gambling harm continue to rise.

Recently, the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Ontario division called for the implementation of tough rules for online gambling advertising in an effort to protect consumers from excessive gambling. The proposal came after earlier this year, the province’s regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), proposed changes in the regulations. Those call for the prohibition of celebrities or athletes from participating in advertisements of gambling products. Yet, the proposal wouldn’t completely restrict gambling ads.

Now, Luke Clark, the director of the University of British Columbia’s center for gambling research, who was recently interviewed by the VancouverSun, warned that the popularity of sports betting can capture the attention of young adults or even children, resulting in harm and addiction. Speaking about the correlation between gambling behavior and gambling advertising, the director urged for “very close scrutiny” of gambling ads.

Betting Can Be as Addictive as Other Forms of Gambling

According to Clark, it is paramount for proper data to be delivered and analyzed to determine the “uptake of sports betting products in particular and their impact on the rates of gambling problems.” He acknowledged that sports wagering has seen exponential growth recently.

At the same time, Clark warned that people can get addicted to wagering the same way they get addicted to other forms of gambling. The expert also spoke about other problems people addicted to gambling can face such as depression, bankruptcy or even suicide.

“Sports betting can become addictive in the same way that many forms of gambling can become addictive.“

Luke Clark, director of the center for gambling research with the University of British Columbia

The warning comes at a time when the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is actively trying to engage with new audiences, primarily from a younger demographic. In that line of thought, the CEO of Crown Corporation BCLC, Pat Davis, explained that the BCLC isn’t trying to reach anyone under the legal age.

Instead, he pointed out that the Corporation is trying to tap into audiences that are “sort of in their 30s” as opposed to the usual demographic which is aged 50 and above. Still, Davis admitted that there is currently a “flood” of gambling advertising and that some of those do not adhere to the established regulatory framework.

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In mid-April, the operations of the major Canadian gaming and entertainment company, Gateway Casinos, were impacted by a cyberattack. The company announced an emergency shutdown on April 16 which at the time was described as a “system-wide malfunction.” In light of the security breach, Gateway decided to temporarily shut down the operations at all of its 14 different properties.

Reportedly, there were more than a few properties affected by the cyber-attack that include venues at Woodstock, Thunder Bay, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie cities. Additionally, the ransomware attacks are believed to have affected the operations of casinos in Sarnia, North Bay, London, Innisfil and Clinton. Although five other venues were not impacted by the cyberattack, Gateway temporarily halted the operations at those casinos as well.

Carmi Levy, an experienced technology analyst explained that Gateway may face challenges when recovering from the cyberattack. The analyst, who was interviewed by CTVNews recently, explained that the operator will have to first “own” the cyberattack and then begin the hard work related to recovering from its devastating impact. Additionally, Levy said that Gateway would need to reestablish the trust of its stakeholders, as well as customers.

“Gateway Casinos is going to have to own this, and they are going to have to work hard to reestablish the trust of customers and other stakeholders who have done business with them in the past who may be hesitant to do so going forward, for good reason.“

Carmi Levy, Technology Analyst

The Company Started Reopening Venues

According to the technology analyst, to prevent and recognize cyberattacks, companies need to train their employees better. Levy said that usually, such attacks start with a “phishing type of message” showing in one’s inbox. He explained: “Clearly, someone clicked on the wrong thing in this event. Clearly, someone is going to click on the wrong thing in future events.”

Speaking about cyberattacks, Levy said that it may take years for companies to recover from such threats. He said that cyberattacks are “as bad as it gets” and pointed out that the recovery from such threats isn’t as simple as coming back online by flipping a switch.

Last week, Gateway confirmed it continues to work on its IT systems to reopen its properties. “We continue to restore our IT systems and are working to safely reopen our Ontario operations,” the company explained in a statement. On Saturday, Gateway confirmed the reopening of its Innisfil property. At the time, the company unveiled that it plans to implement a phased reopening plan for its businesses. Gateway confirmed that additional properties are expected to reopen soon.

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