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BGC: Compulsory Affordability Checks Threaten Regulated Betting and Gaming Industry, Warns Major Report by EY
Britain’s regulated betting and gaming sector has urged Government to publish a White Paper that delivers for business and punters, after a new study showed affordability checks are already hitting revenues.
Research by EY for the Betting and Gaming Council confirmed the sector remained robust despite the pandemic and was now weathering the energy crisis and cost of living crisis.
However, the enforcement of tougher affordability checks, have contributed to reduced revenues, the study said.
The report backs up recent polling which showed nearly 70% of people who place a bet said they would be unwilling to allow regulated firms to carry out compulsory affordability checks to prove they can afford to wager.
According to EY, despite the external pressures facing all businesses, which have been exacerbated by affordability checks, BGC members’ total Gross Value Added contribution to the UK economy was £7.1bn.
Meanwhile the industry supports 110,000 jobs on high streets, in hospitality and in global tech powerhouses.
The contribution to the Treasury from regulated betting and gaming remained significant at £4.2bn annually.
Across the industry, overall Gross Gambling Yield – total revenues after winnings have been paid but before costs are deducted – was slightly up on 2019 despite massive global volatility.
A new White Paper setting out new laws for the Gambling Industry is expected within weeks. In expectation of Government limits on spending, BGC members have already started applying more stringent checks, which are hitting revenues.
The EY study, noted: “Online GGY has declined since mid-2021, probably reflecting the re-opening of physical venues, the introduction of affordability checks on online, and the decline in real household incomes.”
The decline in the online regulated betting and gaming sector as a result of factors including the impact of affordability checks could push customers to the black market, the study warned.
The EY study, said these pressures, “could in turn lead to leakage to the black market, i.e. operators offering remote (mainly desktop and mobile) gambling products that do not hold a UK Gambling Commission license for remote gambling.”
European countries applying tough sanctions on betting, including restrictions on stakes, blanket affordability checks and curbs on advertising, have witnessed an increase in black market betting.
Norway’s black market now accounts for over 66% of all money staked, in France it is 57%, while in In Italy 23% of money bet is on illicit sites.
The figures have prompted renewed calls from the BGC to end the uncertainty presented by the Government’s delayed review of gambling laws, and ensure any new regulations put industry on a sustainable foundation for future growth.
CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council Michael Dugher said: “The UK’s regulated betting and gaming sector is a genuine global leader. Some 22.5m adults enjoy a wager, on the lottery, on bingo, on any number of sports, online and in casinos.
“Our members pump billions into the economy, support the Treasury with more billions and support over one hundred thousand jobs.
“But this contribution is never guaranteed. This industry needs to thrive if it is to maintain its status as a global leader.
“As ministers consider the regulatory framework for this industry, they should stop and think, and ensure the decisions they make support a sustainable future.
“This is a sector that is ready to invest, on hard-pressed high streets through bookmakers, in tourism and hospitality through world-class casinos and online where our tech giant members are looking to increase the number of apprentices they hire.
“We urge the Government to find an evidence-led, balanced White Paper that protects the vulnerable, allows the vast majority who bet safely to continue to do so, and crucially allows business to thrive.”
The Government has promised a White Paper outlining a review of current Gambling legislation within weeks.
The industry standards body, the BGC, has launched 20 standards and initiatives since it was established three years ago to drive up standards.
Michael Dugher added: “This industry is serious about safer gambling, and it’s encouraging that the rates of problem gambling among UK adults remains low by international standards at 0.3 percent.
“We want to see technology used to ensure checks on spending are carefully targeted towards the vulnerable, not the vast majority who show no signs of harm.
“But without Government clarity on affordability checks, our members are concerned they are driving frustrated customers to the unsafe, unregulated black market.
“These sites have none of the safer gambling tools employed by our members, do nothing to protect young people, don’t invest anything in the sports we love like horse racing, rugby, darts and football and crucially don’t contribute a penny in tax.”
Calling all treasure hunters, thrill seekers and intrepid explorers with a thirst for the unknown – this month, popular premium casino software provider, Swintt, is inviting you back on an epic journey through the sands of time in its action-packed slot, Egypt King Book Hunt.
Set to a backdrop of a long-forgotten temple where mystic relics abound, Egypt King Book Hunt is the third instalment of the popular SwinttPremium series and this time combines simple gameplay and classic graphics and sound with the studio’s much-loved “Book” free spins feature.
Activated whenever three or more of the iconic ‘Book’ symbols appear anywhere on the reels, players will first be prompted to leaf through the pages of an ancient tome until one icon is chosen at random to be the game’s lucky symbol, after which a series of 10 free spins will get underway.
During these bonus games, any instances of the lucky symbol that complete a payline will expand to fill their entire reel – and what’s more, payouts will be awarded for all winning combos regardless of whether the symbols are adjacent or not. On top of that, further free spins can be won for landing additional book symbols and players can even opt to buy into the feature directly.
With Egypt King Book Hunt being available to play with 5 or 10 fixed paylines, players will be able to customise their experience to the level of variance that they’re most comfortable with and they’ll also have the chance to try and double any winnings they collect in an optional risk feature.
David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “The fact that the pyramids have stood for thousands of years is testament to them being a design classic – and we feel our Premium slots fall into much the same category! Combining iconic graphics and sound, intuitive gameplay and popular ‘Book’ free spins, we’re sure Egypt King Book Hunt will be a great addition.”
The post Swintt journeys back through the sands of time in Egypt King Book Hunt appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Leading online casino game developer 7777 gaming has joined forces with Relum, a trusted casino engine, to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience to operators worldwide.
This collaboration enables 7777 gaming to bring its extensive portfolio of over 140 thrilling games to Relum’s network of esteemed operators across the globe. Through this integration, online casinos powered by Relum will gain instant access to 7777 gaming’s engaging and diverse selection of games, such as Cash 100, Barbarian, Candy Anyway, Sea of Treasure, Diamonds of Majesty, and Cash 20x. These immersive games promise an unparalleled gaming experience, combining cutting-edge technology with engaging narratives. .
Relum, a trusted name in the industry, has rapidly ascended to a leading position by developing a state-of-the-art casino aggregation platform. The platform provides instant access to a vast array of games, boasting over 20,000 titles from more than 240 content providers through a single API integration and toolbox such as free round, jackpots, tournaments and partner success service to support player engagement and revenue growth opportunities.
Elena Shaterova, Chief Commercial Officer at 7777 gaming, shared her enthusiasm about the partnership: “Our goal at 7777 gaming has always been to set new standards in the gaming industry. Collaborating with Relum allows us to showcase our commitment to innovation and excellence. We look forward to a successful partnership that will satisfy the players’ requirements for next level of entertainment in any online casino.”
Ashot Sahakyan, Chief Operating Officer at Relum said: “Relum is committed to providing our operators with the most diverse and engaging content available in the market. 7777 gaming’s portfolio perfectly aligns with our vision, and we are confident that this partnership will elevate the gaming experience for our clients and their players.”
This partnership exemplifies the commitment of both 7777 gaming and Relum to delivering top-tier gaming solutions and reinforces their positions as leaders in the online casino industry.
The post 7777 gaming partners with Relum appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
In May 2024, Atlas-IAC underwent a rebranding, resulting in a change of name and company design to Atlaslive, the dynamic iGaming platform. These changes were developed in collaboration with the Banda agency.
The main objective of the rebranding was to communicate the internal transformations as Atlaslive experiences rapid growth and continuous technological advancement, while also capturing the dynamic nature of the iGaming market.
In today’s world, technology is not stagnant; rather, it embodies an ongoing process of evolution that resonates with the dynamism of our surroundings. This philosophy underscores the transition from Atlas-IAC to Atlaslive. The best tech is — the more it looks alive. That’s why the company decided to embrace the concept of “live”. The descriptor of the company further reinforces this notion, emphasizing its evolution into a dynamic iGaming platform.
As a globally recognized leader in providing high-quality solutions for the iGaming industry, Atlaslive is set to redefine the landscape with its innovative technology and unwavering dedication to excellence. Maxim Slobodyanyuk, CEO of Atlaslive, said:
“We are thrilled to introduce Atlaslive. The best tech is live tech. The success of any tech is the quality of connections between people. Our tech is a living entity, not static code. Imagine technology that breathes with the world, evolves, expands, changes, reacts, and adapts to deliver the best results possible. All of this is embodied in Atlaslive.”
The company’s CEO added: “Our rebranding signifies a pivotal moment in our journey as we evolve alongside our global partners. Our strategy revolves around leadership in the iGaming industry, expanding our solutions to enhance the iGaming experience, making it more effective, profitable, responsible, and intelligent. Atlaslive is a dynamic iGaming platform that delivers unparalleled results and enriches every interaction.”
With a focus on trustworthiness, scalability, customization, adaptiveness, sustainability, and security, Atlaslive is poised to set new benchmarks in the iGaming industry and beyond. Experience the impulse of innovation with Atlaslive.
About the company
Atlaslive embarked on creating a multifunctional and automated platform designed to optimize the workflow of sports betting and casino operators. Opportunities of the Atlaslive Platform include Sportsbook, Casino, Bonus Engine, Payment Systems, Risk management and Fraud Prevention tools, Retail module, Business Analytics, CRM and CMS. Atlaslive is recognized as one of the leading Sportsbook Platforms and the absolute winner in both the “Best Sports Betting Provider” and “Rising Star in Sports Betting Technology” categories for Central and Eastern Europe. Follow Atlaslive on LinkedIn to stay updated on the company’s latest news.
The post Atlas-IAC Unveils Transformation to Atlaslive appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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