Canada

Gambling Addiction and COVID-19

Published

2 years ago

January 31, 2022

Over 2 percent of Americans suffer from gambling addiction according to a recent report by the National Council on Problem Gambling. This is a cause for concern especially during the COVID-19 crisis which worsens mental health issues in the general population, including increasing engagement in addictive behaviors.

Not only does the pandemic increase gambling behavior among those affected by problem gambling, but it also increases the occurrence of new cases. Its impact on financial and psychological well-being in conjunction with changes in gambling markets during the pandemic raises concerns, calling for research initiatives in the area and preventive regulatory measures by stakeholders.

A web survey addressing a general population sample showed a statistically significant difference between gamblers and people who do not gamble in age but not in education, and a higher level of perceived stress, distress, and hostility in both chronic and new gamblers compared to those who did not report gambling behavior. A consistent proportion of business owners and unemployed individuals reported problem gambling during the lockdown period.

Gambling Addiction Help Guide

A lot of persons with gambling addiction mostly try to conceal their condition, but an addiction can be hard to hide. If you have a gambling addiction, you may feel that you need constant access to online gambling pools or casinos, and feel an uncontrollable urge to play slot machines, buy lottery tickets, visit casinos, or gamble online. Even if you gamble at home when no one is around as some people tend to do, your addiction may start to present itself in certain other areas of your life.

Gambling Addiction Signs and Symptoms

The individual:

Feels that gambling is the best option to escape problems.
Always gets preoccupied with gambling (i.e. thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble even after incurring so much debt, reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next venture).
Gets defensive when confronted about his/her gambling habits and they become very secretive about it.
Relies on others to relieve a serious financial situation caused by gambling, by bailing him or her out.
Tries unsuccessfully to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
Becomes very irritable and restless when not gambling.
Tries to fix losses with more gambling.
Lies to family and others about the impact of gambling.
Loses relationships and jeopardizes jobs, education or career opportunities all because of gambling.
Commits unspeakable crimes to finance the gambling urges.
Increases bet amounts when gambling in order to achieve the desired excitement.

10 important rules to follow as a gambler

If you choose to gamble, do so only for entertainment purposes. If enjoyment is no longer the sole purpose of your gambling, then there’s a need to reflect and ask yourself why you are still playing.
Always treat the money lost as the cost of your entertainment, and any winnings as a bonus.
Set money limits and stick to it. Decide before you go, how much you want to spend and what you can afford to lose. At no point should you change your mind after losing.
Set a time limit and stick to it. Decide how much of your time you want to allow for gambling and be strict about it. Whether you’re winning or losing, leave when you reach the time limit.
Expect to lose. The general odds are that you will lose.
Make it a personal rule not to gamble on credit. Never use borrowed money to gamble.
Create a balance between gambling and other aspects of your life. Gambling should not affect your relationship with people or stand in place of family, friends, work or other activities.
Avoid chasing lost money (i.e don’t try to win back money that has been lost). Chances are the more you try to regain your losses, the greater they will get.
Don’t gamble as a way to cope with emotional or physical pain.
Get educated about the dangers of problem gambling. The more you understand, the better choices you’ll make.

Conclusion

Researchers have called for attention to mental health consequences of the pandemic, including addictive behaviors. With the increasing accessibility of internet gambling and the worsening COVID-19-related stress, problem gambling may potentially be among the health hazards affected by the ongoing crisis and its aftermath. Public prevention efforts and systematic research data collection are warranted.

Find out more about gambling addiction symptoms, facts and help guides here.

British Columbia Lottery Corporation

SCCG Management Signs Contract with British Columbia Lottery Corporation

Published

5 days ago

April 29, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

sccg-management-signs-contract-with-british-columbia-lottery-corporation

SCCG Management has signed a contract with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the B.C. Crown corporation which conducts and manages commercial gambling in the province, including lotteries, casinos, and online gaming. This partnership aims to undertake a comprehensive assessment and strategic enhancement of BCLC’s diverse operations.

The work between SCCG and BCLC will involve a thorough review of technological infrastructures, strategic market positioning, and the integration of various gaming modalities. SCCG’s extensive expertise will be pivotal in harmonizing BCLC’s online and physical gaming experiences.

Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management, said: “Our collaboration with BCLC represents a remarkable opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation within the gaming industry. We are committed to deploying our resources and expertise to enhance BCLC’s operational efficiencies and customer engagement strategies. It’s an honor to partner with an organization that has a robust impact on the community through its support of public initiatives.”

AGCO

AGCO Requires Ontario Gaming Operators to Stop Offering WBA Bets Due to Integrity Concerns

Published

2 weeks ago

April 22, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

agco-requires-ontario-gaming-operators-to-stop-offering-wba-bets-due-to-integrity-concerns

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has mandated all Ontario-registered sportsbook operators to halt offering and accepting wagers on World Boxing Association (WBA) events immediately. This measure is being taken to protect the Ontario betting public following concerns that WBA-sanctioned boxing matches are not adequately being safeguarded against match-fixing and insider betting.

Since December 2023, the AGCO has been conducting a comprehensive review of suspicious wagering activity on a WBA-sanctioned title fight between Yoenis Tellez and Livan Navarro that was held in Orlando, Florida. Suspicious betting patterns on the bout lasting over 5.5 rounds were reported to the AGCO by two registered independent integrity monitors and detected in Ontario by a registered igaming operator. Media reports also alleged that Tellez’s Manager placed $110,000 on the match lasting longer than 5.5 rounds at a Florida casino. The bout ended with Tellez knocking out Navarro in the 10th round.

Following an intensive review that included outreach to the WBA, Ontario-registered gaming operators, independent integrity monitors, and regulators in other jurisdictions, the AGCO has concluded that bets related to WBA events do not currently meet the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.

The AGCO requires all Ontario-registered gaming operators to ensure the sport betting products they offer are on events that are effectively supervised by a sport governing body. At a minimum, the sport governing body must have and enforce codes of conduct that prohibit betting by insiders.

Registered gaming operators were unable to demonstrate to the AGCO that the WBA prohibits betting from insiders, which could include an athlete’s coaches, managers, handlers, athletic trainers, medical professionals, or others with access to non-public information. Further, registered gaming operators were unable to demonstrate that the WBA took any action to investigate or enforce the allegations of potential match-fixing and insider wagering.

The AGCO has indicated to registered operators that in order for WBA betting products to be reinstated in Ontario, operators must demonstrate that the WBA effectively supervises its events, thus bringing them into compliance with the Registrar’s Standards. In December 2022, the AGCO required gaming operators to stop offering bets on UFC events for similar issues related to insider betting safeguards. Within a month, UFC amended its policies and implemented new protocols that allowed the AGCO to reinstate betting on UFC events in the province.

“Ontarians who wish to bet on sporting events need to be confident that those events are fairly run, and that clear integrity safeguards are in place and enforced by an effective sport governing body. Knowing the popularity of boxing in Ontario, we look forward to reinstating betting on WBA events once appropriate safeguards against possible match-fixing and insider betting have been confirmed,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Registrar and CEO of AGCO, said.

Andrew Cochrane Chief Business Officer of GiG

GiG increases Ontario market presence, powering the launch of Casino Time

Published

2 weeks ago

April 18, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

gig-increases-ontario-market-presence,-powering-the-launch-of-casino-time

Gaming Innovation Group Inc. (GiG), has announced the launch of Casino Time, powered by its award winning iGaming platform and pioneering real-time rules engine LogicX, with revolutionary sportsbook, SportX soon to follow, to further extend its footprint in the regulated Canadian province of Ontario.

The launch of Casino Time carries extra significance, marking only the second time that on-demand, regulated online Bingo has been made available in Ontario. The new Bingo product vertical, launched alongside a strong Casino offering, will be boosted by GiG’s new sportsbook, SportX, as part of a planned release later this year.

GiG has focused its solutions on driving exponential growth in revenue for operators with its highly scalable iGaming platform, offering localised third party content and leading suppliers for the Ontarian market. GiGs peerless gamification layer creates an optimised and immersive casino experience tailored to regional preferences, swelling client retention and player engagement.

Canadian owned and operated, Casino Time is a joint venture amongst leading retail operators in Ontario’s Charitable Gaming sector, delivering Bingo, Slots and Live Dealer Casino Games. Promising a personalised service and community experience, Casino Time is continuing its long-standing partnership with local charities, introducing its joint fundraising model into the iGaming space for the first time.

Now coming towards the end of its second year of licensed operations, Ontario has emerged as one of the largest iGaming markets in North America, second only to New Jersey according to data supplied by Vixio. The first and as yet only Canadian province to launch a regulated market, Ontario boasts more than 1.6 million active player accounts spread over 40 plus operators, generating €1.3 billion in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in its first year of trading, with this data supplied by iGaming Ontario.

Andrew Cochrane, Chief Business Officer of GiG, said: “GiG continues to set the pace with a strong cadence of brand launches in 2024, and I’m pleased that when operators are seeking platform solutions in regulated markets, GiG is leading the pack. Our partnership with Casino Time, will help deliver something new and exciting to the Ontarian market, and further helps to demonstrate the flexibility of our solutions, adapting to match the regional aspirations of our partners to deliver growth.”

D’Arcy Stuart, CEO of Casino Time, said: “We are thrilled to partner with GiG as the core technology provider of our iGaming platform. Their powerful suite of player engagement tools, as well as diverse content and regulatory integrations, underpin our ability to serve and delight our player community. Our hybrid online and offline customer network, as well as unique bingo offerings, will drive exciting opportunities as the platform and the marketplace continues to grow.”