A recent study funded by GambleAware has shed light on the troubling trend of marginalized and socially excluded communities in the UK using gambling as a means to cope with their difficult circumstances and loneliness. Conducted by The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), the analysis reviewed 138 previous studies to understand the impact of gambling on these vulnerable groups.

The study focused on several groups, including those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, older individuals, people living with disabilities, neurodiversity or mental health challenges, criminalized communities, and migrants in vulnerable situations like asylum seekers. Despite their varied backgrounds, these groups share a common thread: the use of gambling to alleviate stressors caused by social exclusion and discrimination.

Underlying Issues and Coping Mechanisms

The research highlighted that individuals from these marginalized communities often turn to gambling to escape from issues such as loneliness, mental health struggles, stress from migration and assimilation, unemployment, job insecurity, and poverty. Gambling was perceived as a temporary distraction or a potential way to escape financial hardships.

Another significant finding was the disproportionate number of gambling venues located in deprived areas of Great Britain. People from marginalized and isolated communities are more likely to reside in these areas due to socioeconomic disenfranchisement, thus increasing their exposure to gambling opportunities.

Stigma emerged as a crucial factor affecting these communities’ gambling behaviors and their willingness to seek support. Many already face stigma related to drug use, homelessness, or mental health issues, which intersects with the stigma associated with gambling harms. This compounded stigma often prevents individuals from seeking necessary help.

Calls for Accessible and Inclusive Treatment Services

The report calls for gambling treatment services to be more accessible, inclusive, and adaptive to meet the needs of marginalized communities. It also emphasizes the need for further research to understand the specific gambling harms experienced by these groups better and to develop effective support mechanisms.

GambleAware has been proactive in addressing these issues, launching initiatives like the “Improving Outcomes for Women and Minority Communities Affected by Gambling Harm” fund. This £4 million program supports 25 organizations across Great Britain, such as Investing in People and Culture and the Flowhesion Foundation, to help ethnically diverse and vulnerable communities tackle gambling harms.

Natalie, an individual who has experienced gambling harm and homelessness, highlighted the challenges faced by those without stable housing. “To break free from gambling harm, you need to have a safe place to live. If you don’t have shelter, it makes trying to recover so much harder, and it can be difficult to access support without a permanent address. We need improved ease of access for accommodation and support, and to ensure sufficient housing options are available for people experiencing disadvantage from addiction.”

Expert Insights

Dr. Sokratis Dinos from NatCen’s Centre for Gambling Research emphasized the findings’ significance: “The results show how vulnerability to gambling harms for some people in these communities will be driven by compounding inequalities, stigma, exclusion, and discrimination.” He added that the report critically appraises existing evidence on gambling harms among marginalized communities, underlining the urgent need for targeted interventions and further research.

Sources:

New study finds that socially excluded communities use gambling to cope with discrimination, loneliness and other problems, gambleaware.org, July 30, 2024.

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Macau’s Court of Final Appeal has upheld a prison sentence for former Suncity Group CEO Alvin Chau of 18 years, rejecting his appeal to shorten the term. This comes at the end of a closely watched case that has had major implications for Macau’s casino industry.

Macau Court Denies Appeals by Chau and Eight Other Defendants

The court confirmed on July 3 in an in-camera hearing the initial ruling handed down in January last year, which found Chau guilty of criminal association, illegal gambling, and money laundering, reported the Macau Daily Times. Eight other defendants connected to the same case also had their appeals denied, keeping their sentences between nine and 12-and-a-half years.

Chau was convicted of making illegal gains through money laundering and illegal gambling activities. The court found that he and his associates brought in HKD24.87 billion ($3.18 billion) from these activities, which must be returned to the Macau government as ill-gotten gains.

His legal saga began when he was arrested by Macau authorities in November 2021 on charges including leading a criminal syndicate and being involved in illicit gambling operations. After several months of trial at the Court of First Instance, Chau was found guilty on 103 out of 229 charges related to gambling. Some were dropped because they exceeded the statute of limitations while another 59 were added on top of them. Chau was acquitted on charges linked to money laundering.

Court Decision Reinforces Government’s Commitment to Crackdown on Junket Industry

The final sentence remained unchanged despite multiple appeals, including one for clemency addressed to Chinese President Xi Jinping where he portrayed himself as a pivotal figure who transformed Macau into a global tourism hub. The Court of Second Instance scrapped his fraud conviction but jacked up the amount that should be paid back by Chau.

Attempts by the prosecution to reinstate fraud charges against him and seek tougher penalties failed too. 

However, this decision cements the hard Macau government stance taken towards Chau and others involved. It further underscores the clampdown against the junket industry and the crackdown on illegal gambling operations being carried out within Macao SAR borders.

Chau’s fall from grace reflects wider crackdowns on capital flight facilitated via junket operators as well as money laundering by Mainland Chinese authorities. Following his detention, Suncity Group – formerly Asia’s largest junket operator – was exposed to significant risks arising out of these activities leading to its shutdown.The case has also triggered sweeping changes across Macau’s casino sector with stricter regulations being put in place coupled with increased oversight mechanisms.

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In an audacious stride towards global dominance, Betsson Group blazes a trail into the dynamic Italian market with the grand unveiling of its flagship brand, Betsson. This strategic leap embodies Betsson’s relentless pursuit of creation and its uncompromising passion to redefine the gaming terrain. As the gates swing wide open to Italian players, a realm of boundless excitement and unparalleled thrills awaits, promising an immersive gaming odyssey like never before!

A Symphony of Offerings

Prepare to embark on a journey of discovery as Betsson.it unveils a treasure trove of gaming delights. From the heart-pounding adrenaline rush of sports betting, spanning an array of electrifying sporting events, to the mesmerizing allure of immersive slots and captivating table games, every moment promises a compelling escapade. Dive into the exciting action of live casino experiences, where the thrill of the moment comes alive with every spin and every deal, delivering a unique fusion of entertainment and excitement.

With its recent ventures into Latin America, Betsson has carved a path of success, leaving an indelible mark as the main sponsor of esteemed football clubs like Boca Juniors, Racing Club, and Atlético Nacional. Now, as the brand sets its sights on the Italian horizon, its devotion to excellence shines brighter than ever. This launch not only symbolizes its passion to reach new heights but also confirms its promise to deliver amazing gaming experiences that transcend borders and captivate players worldwide.

Charting New Territories

The debut in Italy marks a very influential moment in Betsson’s expansion journey, propelling it into uncharted territories and setting the stage for unprecedented growth and success. As it continues to push the limits of innovation and raise industry standards, Italian players can look forward to a gaming experience that exceeds the ordinary and ushers in a new era of excitement and possibility.

Ronni Hartvig, Chief Commercial Officer of Betsson Group, commented: “Italy has grown significantly in importance for Betsson, and we believe this is an opportune moment to introduce our flagship brand, Betsson, to the market. By consolidating our operations under the unified Betsson brand, we aim to harness the power of scalability. And together with our extensive experience in the region, we aim to position the brand as a leading sports betting operator in the market.“

Source:

”BETSSON GROUP LAUNCHES FLAGSHIP BRAND IN ITALY”, europeangaming.eu, March 7, 2024.

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Super Group (SGHC) Limited, a leading betting and gaming company, has recently announced the resignation of John Collins from its Board of Directors, effective 31 December 2023. Collins’s decision to step down relates to his investment in a National Hockey League (NHL) team. However, Super Group stressed that the two parties did not have any disagreements regarding the company’s practices.

The Departure Should Not Affect Current Operations

Collins is currently the chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board and a member of the Audit Committee of the Board. Jonathan Jossel, who joined the company in May 2022, will take up the former position, ensuring Super Group can maintain its operations without disruptions.

Collins has been an integral part of Super Group’s growth and an influential figure during a year marked by significant development for the company. His departure comes at a time of impressive growth. In its recent third-quarter report, Super Group disclosed revenue of €356.9 million ($381.4 million), a notable 16% year-on-year increase.

The company attributed this growth to its expanding operations in Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East, despite declines in markets like South/Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Neal Menashe, CEO of Super Group, highlighted the remarkable third-quarter revenue, record monthly active customers, and predicted further expansion within the global iGaming sector for the company.

Collins Will Leverage His Sports Management Expertise

Collins’s decision to step down from his position on the Super Group board likely stems from his increasing focus on his interests within the NHL. He joined the New York Islanders ownership group in July 2023 as the Operating Partner for the Club. Collins’s rich history within the League shows his enduring dedication to the sport, and he will likely continue with his contributions.

Collins is more than qualified for his management position with the Islanders, drawing on his experience as COO of the National Hockey League, President and CEO of the Cleveland Browns, and a senior executive at the National Football League for fifteen seasons. He has been responsible for some pioneering developments within the NHL, and his business acumen will be invaluable to the team.

Collins’s decision to focus on his involvement in the NHL marks a transition for Super Group, which continues its trajectory of growth and expansion in the dynamic betting and gaming industry. While Super Group loses a seasoned industry veteran, it has the talent to ensure enduring success. Meanwhile, Collins is now free to pursue his priorities.

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Gambling company with a strong focus on building a one-of-a-kind mix of player experiences, digital channels, and branded venues in the United Kingdom and Spain, Rank Group, has been criticized by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) in regard to a challenging Instagram post from Mecca Bingo. 

The latter, which is the group’s community gaming brand aimed at the British market, has been accused of publishing a post consisting of two photos that allegedly suggested that gambling could “enhance a person’s self-image or self-esteem.”

Complaints From the Public

The post, which showcased popular drag queen, Baga Chipz, and was originally published on April 16, sparked controversy online while also attracting two complaints. 

The first image of the post showed Baga Chipz dressed in a plain and dark outfit, with no makeup on and showing a serious face. The second photo showed the drag queen in a completely different mood, smiling, holding a glass of champagne, and wearing a full face of makeup.

The post was accompanied by a series of hashtags including #bingo, #winning, #feelinggood, and #winningfeeling as well as a text that read “Before playing Mecca Bingo vs after playing Mecca Bingo.”

The same post reprimanded by the AGA was accompanied by the caption “A good game can transform you! Don’t you just love that post-bingo glow?”

The two complaints from the public challenged whether the purpose of the post was to suggest that gambling may improve the self-esteem and self-image of a person, which would have deemed its message irresponsible.

The ASA Ruled the Public Complaints Were Founded

While assessing the complaints, the watchdog established that the Instagram post together with its caption and hashtags, could imply that a person would be able to achieve a higher self-image by engaging in bingo gameplay, as well as by winning.

The agency ASA also ruled that some viewers might interpret the use of Baga Chipz as a reference to drag queens in general, as explained by the operator itself while emphasizing that the “overall impression” of the post would suggest that gambling could improve a person’s self-esteem and self-image.

Accordingly, the body asked Rank Group to not display the ad again while asking them to make sure that their upcoming marketing communications will not fall into the same rabbit hole. 

Rank Group acknowledged the ad might have been interpreted the wrong way when viewed by someone who did not understand the “full context” while adding that the purpose of the post was “very evidently light-hearted.”

Mecca Bingo further explained the post was used to convey the message that their services were “fun and entertaining” and that the term “good game” was aimed at the positive experience and atmosphere tied to the brand. Last month, the group announced inking an agreement with Pragmatic Play for their live casino games after it extended its long-term partnership with Kambi in August.

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Super Group, the parent company of the multi-brand online casino, Spin, and the leading online sports betting and gaming operator, Betway, released Thursday its latest financial report. The company posted an increase in operational EBITDA, as well as revenue for the third quarter of this year or the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Overall, Super Group reported revenue of €356.9 million ($381.4 million) for the latest trading period. This result, compared to the €307.8 million ($329 million) reported for the same period in 2022, showed an increase of 16%. The leading betting and gaming company explained that the strong revenue comes after growth of the company’s operations in Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East. Super Group said that the revenue was “partially offset by declines from the South/Latin America and Asia-Pacific markets.”

In its latest trading update, the company confirmed that operational EBITDA for Q3 hit €53.8 million ($57.5 million). This result also marked an increase when compared to the €49.6 million ($53 million) figure reported for the corresponding period last year.

According to the latest trading update, Super Group saw an uptick in its monthly active customers. The new report reveals that monthly active customers increased to 4.0 million in the third quarter of 2023. This result, compared to the 2.7 million monthly active customers reported in Q3 2022, marked an increase of 44%.

After the recent trading period, Super Group announced its withdrawal from the gambling sector in India. The announcement came at a time when the country increased its tax applicable for gambling activities. The global sports betting and gaming company identified this increase as an issue, causing its business in the country to be unsustainable which is why it decided to exit the market.

The Company Plans Further Growth and Expansion

Alinda van Wyk, Super Group’s CFO, commented on the recent results. “For the third quarter, we delivered ex-US Revenue of €348.9 million and ex-US Operational EBITDA of €64.1 million, which resulted in a strong margin of 18%,” she explained. The CFO added that the company remains dedicated to investing in its future growth and implementing cost efficiencies. In conclusion, Wyk said that despite some headwinds in Q3, Super Group reaffirmed its guidance for the rest of the year.

“Super Group has delivered yet another quarter of solid results, having achieved our highest ever revenue for a third quarter, as well as new all-time highs for both our customer numbers and deposits.“

Neal Menashe, CEO of Super Group

Neal Menashe, Super Group’s CEO, acknowledged that the company enjoyed another strong quarter with exceptional results. He explained that in Q3 this year, Super Group recorded its highest third quarter revenue along with an increase in monthly active customers. Finally, Menashe predicted further expansion for the company within the global iGaming vertical.

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Now, the comments of Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio have caused another stir in the debate with the man lambasting those who have been calling for restricting smoking on gaming floors.

Blasting Casino Workers for Accepting the Jobs in the First Place

Ruggerio outright criticized casino workers for demanding a stop to smoking, using rather strong language to describe their demands. His remarks came as part of the Rhode Island Report, a weekly podcast hosted by PBS and The Boston Globe.

The debate got quite heated as the topic of indoor smoking came up during the podcast. Essentially, there is a loophole in the state’s laws that exempts casinos from the Public Health and Workplace Safety Act and allows casinos to host smokers on gaming floors.

This has to end, insist those opposing the exemption. However, Ruggerio chose to coach his own words much more firmly saying that those people should just look for other jobs instead. “Now, all of a sudden, there’s a small group who feels that it’s not good for their health,” the lawmaker vituperated on air.

Of course, Ruggerio is misinformed on at least two of the things he said – for starters, the link between ill health and smoking, as well as second-hand smoking, has been very well-established. Ruggerio’s own personal objection to those who call for smoke-free areas does not really change scientific evidence founded in hard facts and not flippancy.

Then again, there is the matter of how many people are actually fed up with smokers. Casino workers are on the front lines, but other guests have been complaining, too. A recent survey ranking the worst hotel services in the United States, for example, cited cigar odor as one of the off-putting reasons why they have given certain properties low reviews.

Ruggerio is supposed to offer balanced opinions as well, and as a lawmaker, he should advocate for people’s well-being. Another argument that a lack of smokers undermines the financial feasibility of casino projects has also been busted by hard data that indicates that companies show no slowdown in their operating results.

No, Ventilation Systems Does Not Protect Against Dangerous Particles

Rhode Island’s Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects chapter, CEASE, has responded to Ruggerio’s comments saying that they were disrespectful, incendiary, and badly informed. “For the Senate President to blame casino workers for “agreeing” to this job is a slap in the face to the hundreds of workers who are the backbone of the casino industry,” an official message stated.

Those supporting Ruggerio’s scurrilous claims have often cited the advancements made in ventilation systems during the pandemic that effectively “negate” the impact of second-hand smoking. This too sounds great, only the claims are not really sustainable.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers actually reached out with an official position to Rhode Island’s lawmakers informing them that such claims were not true and that ventilation systems do not actually remove harmful and toxic particles and certainly not to a level where they would be innocuous to the thousands of people working in Rhode Island’s casinos and experiencing second-hand smoking.

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The group, Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) has become the latest to voice its concerns about smoking on gaming floors and the impact this has on casino staff’s health. Therefore, CEASE insists that the state issues an end to the mandate that allows casinos to be excluded from a public smoke ban.

The organizaiton sees this as an unjust loophole that needs to be taken care of and has urged lawmakers to act. CEASE founder Joe Hafley said that all workers ask for is a clean and safe working environment for the thousands of workers employed in the industry and who are the very backbone of the activity.

Hafley himself is a casino security officer and he speaks from experience and in part in solidarity with fellow casino workers. Even though he himself doesn’t have to be at the actual tables where most of the smoking is done, he worries about secondhand smoke and says that avoiding getting tinted with the smell of cigarettes is impossible.

CEASE has also been successful in winning some legislative support to its end, with lawmakers beginning to show interest. At the same time, there has been mounting evidence that there is little to suggest that denying people the right to smoke directly at tables would actually contribute to the financial slowdown of a casino.

End Smoking Is Not the End of Economic Prosperity

In fact, the opposite remains to be true or in many cases – the casino bottom line remains unchanged as a direct impact of smoking. A report by C3 Gaming report claimed that non-smoking properties outstrip their smoking counterparts economically. Even now there are people who avoid casinos because they don’t like the smoke, for example. CEASE co-founder Peter Naccarelli was also outspoken about the issue:

Casino workers all over the country are sick and tired of risking our health over the false perception that casinos will make more money by allowing the outdated practice of indoor smoking.

CEASE co-founder Peter Naccarelli

Naccarelli is adamant that workers shouldn’t endure what is a scientifically-proven risk cause of cancer. He argued that casino workers who work in environments where smoking isn’t banned were putting their lives on the line. There have been many comprehensive studies from across the nation with casino workers who work near smokers reporting an increased number of respiratory problems.

Some have even developed cancer, and although no one directly accuses the casinos, one cannot help but wonder, as some of the victims have put it. Previously, it was the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights who weighed in on the matter.

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RAW Arena brings a number of innovative games that will be integrated directly with the casinos’ content libraries and allow players to experience brand-new games across the board.

One of the strongest features of the new titles is the SuperSlice and SuperTracks mechanics which are integrated with the games and offer audiences a chance to enjoy innovative and engaging gameplay.

RAW Arena Brings Innovative Games and Features to Glitnor Group

RAW Arena features a number of excellent releases, such as Thor Goes Wild, which includes the SuperStretch mechanic and Rise of Shinobi. There is also Mighty Buffalo SuperSymbols, which features the namesake “SuperSymbols” mechanic as well. Commenting on this opportunity RAW CEO Tom Wood has welcomed this partnership and extolled its significance.

“We are “lucky,” said Wood, in a clear reference to Glitnor Group’s popular casino brand. “Glitnor Group is an amazing partner to work with and our ground-breaking games and unique mechanics will give their brands the tools to differentiate their portfolio in a growing Sea of slot Sameness,” he concluded on a highly positive note.

Glitnor Group head of games Sven De Ward was similarly excited to see RAW bring its products with Lucky Casino. He hailed RAW game studio as an innovator and disruptor and a company that is set to revolutionize online gaming and bring innovative and high-quality games.

We believe that RAW is the perfect partner to bring the latest and greatest gaming experience to our players. Get ready to be blown away.

Sven De Ward, head of games, Glitnor Group

RAW Grows Content Reach and Offering with Host of New Partners

RAW has been working hard to secure and expand its content offering. The company recently negotiated a content integration partnership with Jumpman Gaming, a progressive and innovative white-label network. Before that, the company confirmed that it will be bolstering Betsson Group’s content by bringing its full list of titles with the prominent company and its brands.

RAW similarly launched with White Hat Gaming in early April and has been on the lookout to add more suppliers to its own aggregation platform with Green Jade Games most recently.

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Kindred Group announced today that it has received final approval for its proprietary gaming platform in New Jersey and is preparing to go live in mid-May before rolling it out across North America.

Preparing to Launch

The final approval granted to Kindred Group by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) will allow the group to introduce its proprietary gaming platform and elevate the customer experience, improve the quality of analytical data and raise the level of flexibility.

Commenting on the key development, Henrik Tjärnström, chief executive officer of Kindred Group, was pleased that the company would soon be able to launch its proprietary platform in New Jersey, feeling proud of everyone at Kindred and the collective effort that made the launch possible.

“Introducing the Kindred platform to our customers in New Jersey will provide the entertainment and experience enjoyed by our customers in Europe,” Tjärnström said, stressing that the company will finally be able to showcase its Unibet product, and also thankful to the regulator for “a professional collaboration during the approval process.”

Following the approval, Kindred Group is expected to debut its gaming platform in New Jersey in mid-May and then continually improve its functionalities. The New Jersey launch is seen as an important step toward the platform’s rollout across North American gaming jurisdictions and strengthening the group’s footprint in the US.

Kinder Group is planning to expand its proprietary platform into Pennsylvania next, with the launch in the Keystone State planned for the second business quarter of 2023.

Unibet’s US Presence

Kindred’s flagship Unibet brand is currently live in New Jersey in partnership with Hard Rock Casino Atlantic City, Pennsylvania with Mohegan Sun Pocono Casino, Indiana with Caesars Horseshoe Hammond Casino, Iowa with Harrah’s Casino, Virginia via a direct market access permit, and Arizona, in partnership with the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe.

At the end of 2022, Kindred Group teamed with the Swinomish Tribe in a six-year agreement for the launch of the Unibet & Swinomish Sportsbook at Swinomish Casino & Lodge in Anacortes, Washington, pending licensure and regulatory approvals.

As part of its commitment to supporting sport, Unibet partnered with the Northern Ontario Curling Association (NOCA) to become the official sponsor for both the Men’s and Women’s Curling Championship for the entire 2022-2023 season.

Outside of North America, Kindred’s Unibet extended its current soccer commitment in France to include basketball, setting itself a 2023 target of delivering sports kits and equipment to 400 amateur clubs from both sports.

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