GambleAware, the leading commissioner of gambling harm prevention and treatment services in the UK, suggested that the broad public supports the controversial affordability checks. The measure, originally outlined in the Gambling Act white paper, seeks to introduce frictionless checks that would prevent at-risk players from overspending.

However, gambling industry campaigners have suggested that the checks would make gambling unsustainable for many players, potentially even hurting the horseracing sector. On the contrary, GambleAware suggested that the public actually supports the measure.

Citing recent polling, the charity suggested that three in five adults (57%) support enhanced financial risk checks. People impacted by a loved one’s gambling, on the other hand, were much more likely to support the measure, with data showing that 76% of affected others believe gambling companies should be held responsible for gambling problems.

In the meantime, 63% of respondents said that they believe that affordability checks would reduce the number of problem players.

For reference, the polling was conducted by Ipsos and saw the public opinion specialist survey 4,170 British adults.

GambleAwar Supports Frictionless Checks

GambleAware’s chief executive officer, Zoë Osmond, said that her team urges the government to not miss opportunities to introduce “robust preventive measures.” While GambleAware acknowledges that affordability checks should be frictionless and properly implemented, it also believes that they are a necessary measure.

By prioritizing preventative action and ensuring the industry take some responsibility for protecting individuals against unaffordable losses, we can mitigate the detrimental impact of problem gambling on individuals and society as a whole.

Zoë Osmond, CEO, GambleAware

Nicola Jaques, family support worker for the Beacon Counselling Trust in Preston, and an affected other of gambling harms, also commented on the matter, highlighting the devastating effects gambling harm could have on families. 

Safeguards like these financial risk checks are so important because they would help protect not only the person experiencing problems with gambling, but also those around them. Anyone can experience gambling harm and it affects far more than just one person.

Nicola Jaques, family support worker, Beacon Counselling Trust

GambleAware is the organization behind the United Kingdom’s National Gambling Support Network (NGSN). The charity recently reported that the helpline received over 52,000 calls in 2023 – a figure representing a year-on-year rise of 24%.

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A recent report from Queen Mary University of London sheds light on the pivotal role financial institutions can play in preventing significant financial harm arising from problem gambling. As more individuals seek help for gambling-related issues, the study emphasizes the unique position banks hold in identifying and mitigating gambling-related harms.

Financial Institutions Can Be the First Line of Defense

The research, conducted by the Multi-disciplinary Research Hub on the Prevention of Gambling Harms, reveals that approximately 44% of the UK population engaged in gambling in the year leading up to March 2023. While gambling can be a form of entertainment, it can escalate into a problem for some, resulting in severe financial and mental health issues and an increased risk of criminal involvement.

Some of the report’s highlights include innovative approaches financial institutions can adopt to support individuals affected by gambling-related harms. Dr. Janelle Jones, senior lecturer in Social Psychology at Queen Mary University of London, underscored the personal consequences of problem gambling, noting that financial institutions like banks had the perfect tools to enhance existing prevention and treatment measures.

Banks, with their unique position and access to transactional and behavioral data, can effectively identify and assist customers in recognizing and addressing their gambling-related issues early.

Dr. Janelle Jones, Queen Mary University of London senior lecturer in Social Psychology

According to the document, banks can implement measures like gambling blocks to identify and assist customers in recognizing early signs of gambling-related issues. Such institutions can conduct spending analyses to monitor transaction patterns and identify irregularities. Banks can then engage in active communication with customers, facilitating early intervention by addressing gambling-related issues.

Collaboration with Other Stakeholders Remains Paramount

The study emphasizes the importance of proactive measures, including banks actively signposting affected customers to specialized support agencies like Gamcare. These actions align not only with the new Consumer Duty imposed by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) but also contribute to promoting customer well-being and financial stability during a turbulent time for the country’s gambling sector.

Banks are generally in a better position to spot potential issues and intervene, as they do not suffer conflicts of interest like gambling operators. However, Julia Hörnle, professor of Internet Law at Queen Mary University of London,  notes inconsistencies in the implementation of these measures across the banking industry, highlighting the need for industry-wide standards and regulatory guidelines. 

Clearer guidance and minimum standards as to what the new Consumer Duty means for protecting individuals experiencing serious gambling harms is necessary.

Julia Hörnle, Professor of Internet Law at Queen Mary University of London

The study concludes that fostering collaboration between banks and regulators, establishing enhanced standards, and involving people with experience of gambling-related harm in designing measures can lead to more effective prevention of unsustainable financial losses. By doing so, industry stakeholders can save lives and safeguard individuals from the detrimental effects of problem gambling.

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A recent study has challenged the long-held belief that online gaming poses a threat to brick-and-mortar casinos. Commissioned by the iDevelopment and Economic Association (iDEA Growth) and conducted by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming (EKG), the study suggests that far from cannibalizing traditional casino revenue, online gaming might actually be enhancing it.

Online Gaming Boosts Brick-and-Mortar Casino Revenue by 2.44%

The study, titled “Comparing Online and Land-based Casino Gaming,” presents compelling evidence indicating that the introduction of online gaming has a positive impact on the performance of brick-and-mortar establishments. 

Jeff Ifrah, founder and general counsel of iDEA Growth, emphasized the significance of these findings, stating that online gambling serves as a catalyst for growth rather than a competitor to land-based casinos.

According to the report, states that have embraced online gaming have experienced notable increases in quarterly revenue. The study suggests that the implementation of iGaming in the six US states where it is regulated results in an average quarterly revenue increase of 2.44%. 

EKG’s team of economists and industry experts analyzed data from those six US states, comparing their growth rates with those of states exclusively reliant on land-based casinos. Surprisingly, five out of the six states with legal online gaming surpassed their land-based counterparts in revenue growth.

Online Gaming Rescues Declining Casino Markets, Study Reveals

Matt Kaufman, Managing Director of EKG, emphasized the substantial benefits observed in casino markets that have integrated online gaming. He pointed out that while many states with traditional casino markets have seen declines in recent years, those that have introduced online gaming have witnessed a flattening or even a return to growth in revenue.

The study’s methodology involved a thorough examination of data spanning 16 years, providing a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between online and land-based gaming. It dispels concerns that online gaming would divert patrons from physical casinos, suggesting instead that it attracts a different demographic of players, thus broadening the customer base.

Furthermore, the report highlights the distinct characteristics of online and land-based casino patrons. While online gaming tends to appeal to a slightly younger demographic, with shorter average visit durations, traditional casinos attract a broader age range and offer a more immersive, longer-lasting experience.

As legislative bodies across various states, including Alabama, Indiana and Wyoming, deliberate on the legalization and regulation of online gaming, these findings offer valuable insights. They challenge the conventional wisdom surrounding the relationship between online and traditional gaming establishments, paving the way for a more nuanced understanding of their coexistence and mutual benefit.

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The 2024 legislative session in Alabama will focus on a number of issues, including election voting, education and gaming. State Gov. Kay Ivey issued her 2024 State of the State Address, highlighting a number of important initiatives that will be among the priorities for lawmakers this year. In her State of the State Address, she showed support for an initiative that “prohibits ballot harvesting” in Alabama.

Additionally. Gov. Ivey supported an education proposal and spoke about the importance of resolving the state’s issue with gambling. Speaking about a current proposal that paves the way for the expansion of gambling in Alabama, she expressed hope that lawmakers will review it further. What’s more, Gov. Ivey vowed to monitor the progress of the proposal.

Currently, a proposal sponsored by Rep. Chris Blackshear calls for the expansion of gambling in Alabama. In reality, to do this, two different bills are needed: one that would amend the state’s constitution and another to establish gambling activities.

“This year when Alabamians make their way to the ballot box, I hope they will be voting on another issue: Gaming. I believe the current proposal being contemplated by the Legislature is good for Alabama, and I will be carefully watching it move through the process,“

wrote Gov. Kay Ivey

The Bill Will Help in the Fight against Illegal Gambling

Per the current draft bill about the gambling expansion, the state would authorize the development of casino gambling at different locations, as well as the establishment of a lottery. The legalization of online sports betting is also part of the proposal.

The last time residents in Alabama voted on a gambling proposal was more than two decades ago. Since then, different proposals have not gained much traction. While the new bill will be reviewed by lawmakers, its future remains uncertain. This is because its success is contingent on a majority approval from the state’s Senate and House along with a green light from Alabama’s voters.

According to Gov. Ivey, the proposal will help in the fight against illegal gambling. At the same time, she said, the bill would help deliver regulated forms of gambling and this includes lottery as well. “Thank you to Speaker Ledbetter and his leadership team for their hard work on this. Now is the time for Alabama voters to have another say on this issue,” added Gov. Ivey.

The gambling proposal still has a long way ahead of it. Yet, the support from the Governor sends a clear signal to the lawmakers about the importance of the matter.

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A new survey conducted by the international online research data and analytics technology group with a mission to offer an ongoing stream of “accurate data and insight into what the world thinks,” YouGov, has revealed women’s sports as being equally attractive for both male and female bettors. 

The study received funding from sports data and analytics company, StatsPerform, and Women’s Sports Group, the advisory company that advances the global rise of women’s and men’s sports by offering outstanding sports advisory and negotiation expertise.

Bettors Looking for More Betting Options on Women’s Sports

Another critical highlight of the study aimed at UK respondents regards bettors’ enhanced interest in being given additional opportunities to wager on women’s sports. 

More than 60% of female bettors and 46% of male bettors who were acquainted with betting on women’s sports expressed a desire to be offered more opportunities to bet on women’s soccer.

The survey assessed responses received in August 2023 from 2,500 male and 2,500 female bettors.

Approximately 60% of male and female sports bettors who placed wagers at least once a month stated they were actively watching or following women’s sports. 

At the same time, 81% of male bettors and 96% of female bettors who watch women’s sports said they were also interested in men’s sports.

Nine out of 10 male and female bettors expressed their desire to watch women’s sports in the upcoming year. 

Women’s Soccer in the Lead 

As for the most popular sports mentioned by respondents, women’s soccer ranked among the top four sports watched by both male and female sports bettors. 

A discrepancy in betting behaviors was also revealed by the survey. Around 85% of male bettors watch and wager on men’s soccer, but only 23% of them bet on women’s soccer. 

Similarly, 72% of female bettors also wager on men’s soccer while only 26% place bets on the same sports. 

Similar figures 23% like the ones recorded for bets on women’s football were recorded by bets on men’s tennis, cricket, rugby, and boxing.

When inquired about the arguments why they do not bet on women’s soccer, 38% of male sports bettors said they never considered it whereas 34% of male respondents used the “lack of knowledge” argument as the main reason. 

Moreover, two-thirds of female bettors who are actively interested in women’s sports are 45 or younger. 

Last July, a YouGov study conducted on behalf of GambleAware assessed the way gambling ads viewed at a younger age can impact gambling habits later on in life.

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Sweden’s iGaming trade association, BOS, has published a new study on public views and misconceptions about the country’s gambling sector. Conducted by the research firm Novus, the survey analyzed Swedes’ attitudes toward and ideas about the industry.

The survey, commissioned by BOS, saw Novus question 1054 participants online, inquiring about their perceptions of Swedish gambling. The firm reported that 57% of these people described themselves as active gamblers, while 41% insisted that they never gamble.

BOS also learned that 1% of respondents gambled daily or almost daily, 15% gambled at least once a week and 15% gambled at least once a month.

When asked about gambling advertising, 72% of the survey participants said that they think gambling advertising has increased since the re-regulation of the Swedish market in 2019. However, some 58% wrongly assume that the gambling industry is the biggest advertiser in the country.

Speaking of advertising, 32% of Swedes do not like seeing gambling sponsorships in professional sports. Furthermore, 73% are opposed to gambling advertisements that feature celebrities.

The Misconceptions Prompt Calls for Tougher Regulation

In addition to the misconceptions the Swedish public has about the industry’s ad share, it also believes that approximately 23% of the entire population of Sweden has gambling problems. In fact, data shows that the people suffering from addiction and those at risk are roughly 4% of all Swedes.

In addition, players assume the return to player rate is much lower than it actually is. While Swedish companies offer RTP of roughly 95%, consumers believe that companies return only 21% of bets.

BOS believes that these misconceptions are very serious and show that the public is not properly informed about how the sector functions. Gustaf Hoffstedt, BOS’ secretary general, said that it is the trade body’s job to inform the public about how things really are.

Hoffstedt also pointed out that these misconceptions are a part of the reason why so many people believe that the Swedish market is in need of tougher regulations. According to him, it is also in the industry’s interest to better inform people about the actual problem gambling rates in the country.

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Yesterday, the NCAA released the findings of a new survey of campus compliance directors that inquired about the directors’ experience with sports betting-related issues. As it turns out, a concerning 27% of autonomy schools have dealt with sports betting problems among their athletes and staff.

The reported number marks a significant increase from 2019. To make matters worse, a similar percentage of autonomy conference compliance administrators said that athletes on their campus got harassed online by sports bettors.

The survey was commissioned by NCAA president Charlie Baker who wanted to see how campus administrators face betting trends and problems. Baker noted that, unfortunately, student-athletes are constantly subjected to harassment by bettors. At the same time, billion-dollar ad campaigns continue to target young people across the USA.

Because of these problems, Baker noted that his team will need help from regulators and sportsbooks to protect student-athletes from harassment, betting problems and match manipulations. He said that the data from the current survey will fuel the NCAA’s tools, helping the organization provide gambling education to young players.

Clint Hangebrauck, NCAA’s managing director of enterprise risk management, echoed Baker’s words, saying that the data will help the association develop educational tools.

Administrators Desire More Educational Resources

The NCAA noted that the survey targeted the senior compliance administrator from each Division I, II and III member school, to provide the NCAA with a better understanding of the underlying issues. Administered in July and August, the survey was completed by more than 500 respondents.

The survey confirmed that over 95% of Division I schools and a majority of Division II and III schools have at least some form of sports betting education for players, coaches and administrators. In addition to discussing NCAA bylaws, betting terms and gambling laws, many schools also address gambling problems and harm.

The NCAA noted that compliance administrators approved the association’s collaboration with EPIC Risk Management. Many of them also expressed their desire to receive more wagering resources from the NCAA. For reference, the national office staff is currently developing educational modules that will be available to administrators very soon.

The NCAA concluded that many schools also use monitoring services that allow them to identify suspicious patterns. Around a third of autonomy schools have an agreement with such service providers. Others, on the other hand, are getting access to such information through their conference office or the NCAA national office.

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Nordic gaming group Paf released its 2022 annual report, posting a record-high turnover and an impressive increase in net profit.

Turnover by Divisions

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, Paf Group registered a turnover of €165.7 million ($179 million), posting an increase of 23% from €135 million ($145.8 million) the group accounted for in 2021.

“We are pleased with last year, it is a good result and a testament to our ability to deliver,” commented Paf’s chief executive officer Christer Fahlstedt, highlighting Sweden, Switzerland and Spain as the gaming destinations which stood out, as well as the recovery of the group’s ship operations.

Paf’s internet operations in the year accounted for €142.1 million ($153.5 million), generating 17% more than in 2021 (€121.2 million ($130.9 million)), with particularly strong growth registered across the Swedish and Spanish markets.

The group attributed the turnover increase to the record number of active customers during the year, 483,595, which increased by 44% from 336,206 in 2021, and expects the number of its active customers to continue to grow in 2023.

Turnover from land and ship operations generated €23.5 million ($25.4 million), increasing by more than 70% year-over-year mainly due to a sharp increase in the number of passengers on board the vessels compared to the prior year. Paf believes there is still room for this number to increase and reach the 2019 level and expects the positive trend to continue in 2023.

Other operating income increased by 9%, from €6.8 million ($7.3 million) in 2021 to €10.1 million ($10.9 million) now, mainly due to the increased sales of gambling platforms and associated services.

Expenses, Operating Profit, Net Profit

Costs in 2022 aggregated to €128.3 million ($138.6 million), up 20% from €106.8 million ($115.3 million) in 2021. There were increases in materials and services costs, €39.5 million ($42.7 million), up 30% from €30.3 million ($32.7 million) in 2021, and other operating expenses which were up by more than 25% to €54 million ($58.3 million) from €43.1 million ($46.5 million) in 2021, and staff costs marginally increased while the cost of depreciation remained almost unchanged.

Paf explained the increased costs by an increase in marketing expenses, costs for the cloud-based technology and travel expenses.

Paf Group ended 2022 with an operating profit of €48.5 million ($52.4 million), up 36% from €35.7 million ($38.6 million) in 2021. The net result of financial income and expenses was a loss of €1.6 million ($1.73 million) while in 2021 it was €300,000 ($324,000).

“Paf’s purpose is to generate funds for the benefit of society and with the strong result we can distribute €33.1 million,” said Paf’s chairman Jan-Mikael von Schantz, thanking all employees for their performance over the past year.

Net profit in 2022 was €44.4 million ($48 million), registering an impressive increase of more than 35% from €32.8 million ($35.4 million) in 2021.

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Boyd Gaming has built upon its substantial 2022 momentum, capitalizing on its diverse and resilient portfolio. Successful launches in new jurisdictions and the further development of existing markets were instrumental in maintaining revenue and EBITDAR growth. Such stellar results put the operator in a comfortable position to consolidate its market position and remain vigilant for new opportunities.

Most Verticals Enjoyed Steady Growth

Q1 revenue of $964 million significantly exceeded Wall Street’s prior estimations of $885.5 million. Such impressive growth marks a 12% year-on-year increase, with other relevant metrics also remaining positive. Despite operating expenses rising by 11.4% and financial income dropping 36% to $25.8 million, the net profit of $199.7 million still marked a 22.4% increase from Q1 2022.

Boyd Gaming’s land-based operations generated $664.3 million in Q1, dropping slightly compared to last year’s $668 million. However, a massive 123.1% increase in online revenue and positive results across food, beverage, and room revenue more than made up for the decline. Boyd president and CEO Keith Smith was pleased with the results and remained optimistic about the company’s prospects.

Our proven business model and experienced team… (give) us confidence in our continued ability to successfully navigate the current economic environment.

Keith Smith, Boyd Gaming president and CEO

According to Smith, the operator’s Q1 results were a testament to the value of its diverse and resilient portfolio and flexible business model. The CEO highlighted the importance of a core customer base and the ability to capitalize on the various non-gaming operations. Boyd’s ongoing success also reflected positively on its share price, delivering quarterly earnings of $1.71 per share.

2023 Should Present Many New Opportunities

The quarterly results may indicate the potential shift in priorities at Boyd. While the company still predominantly profits from its land-based operations, it is paying increasing attention to the booming online sector. A sports betting partnership with FanDuel and its Boyd Interactive iGaming business offers a stable foundation to pursue new growth avenues.

Boyd’s recent expansion into Ohio and Kansas significantly contributed to its Q1 results, as it secured a substantial market share in these lucrative markets. Significant consumer demand for gambling and hospitality services should present further strategic investment opportunities, allowing the company to maintain its leadership position in this highly competitive industry.

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Developer and operator of casino resorts around the world, Las Vegas Sands (LVS), outlined what progress the business registered on its environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives set out for the 2021-2025 period in its 2022 (ESG) report.

The 2022 ESG report tracks the progress on the ambitious goals LVS has set out for its performance by 2025, striving to reach certain targets based on three pillars – People, Communities and Planet.

“We set targets that push the company to achieve tangible results, and the work we have outlined toward these ambitions has put us on a solid track to reach our goals,” commented Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer of LVS, pointing to a “full range of core priorities” under these three pillars “that have also produced significant impact” and are reflected in the report.

Workforce Development

Sands’ corporate responsibility program through 2025 seeks to invest $200 million in workforce development initiatives, and in 2022, the hospitality operator invested $56 million to reach a total of $113 million since the start of the program in 2021.

Money invested in People in 2022 supported core initiatives aimed at advancing team members and local talents such as the Sands Academy Team Member training and development program and the Sands China financial support, invitational matching, and training and development (F.I.T.) program for small and medium enterprises.

Volunteer Work for Communities

Under the Community pillar in 2022, Sands exceeded the target set out for 2025 by reaching 192,330 Team Member volunteer hours contribution to date. Contributions included extensive volunteer support for Macau initiatives related to the pandemic such as community testing and vaccinations.

The target set for the end of the five-year program is 150,000 volunteer hours in support of local communities and having reached it in 2022, the company plans to set a new 2025 target this year and will reveal the new target in its 2023 ESG report.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Energy Use Reduction

Using its 2018 greenhouse gas emissions reduction level of 17,5% as a baseline for its 2025 emissions reduction goal, Sands reported that its emissions remained significantly below the baseline in 2022, achieving a 50% reduction.

Sands implemented numerous emissions reduction projects while its property visitations were impacted by the pandemic to ensure the business remains on track to meet its 2025 target when visitations are expected to pick up and the business is expected to increase energy consumption.

In 2022, energy use was reduced via the installation of property controls across 3,300 hotel rooms which allowed the consumption to be reduced while guests are away, and the shift from hard-to-convert incandescent and fluorescent lighting to LED solutions.

In addition, the company purchased 151,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy certificates and generated an additional 235 megawatt hours from solar panels, while Sands properties began transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles.

Sands’ ESG achievements in 2022 were recognized on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) World for a third consecutive year and the DJSI North America for the seventh time, while Sands China appeared on the DJSI World for the first time and the DJSI Asia Pacific for the second.

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