UKGC Archives - CasinoBeats https://casinobeats.com/tag/ukgc/ The pulse of the global gaming industry Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:46:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://casinobeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cropped-favicon-32x32.png UKGC Archives - CasinoBeats https://casinobeats.com/tag/ukgc/ 32 32 Six UK Basketball Players Implicated In Match-Fixing Scandal http://casinobeats.com/2025/06/18/six-uk-basketball-players-implicated-in-match-fixing-scandal/ Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:49:58 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=142292 Six former UK basketball players have been sanctioned for their involvement in a match-fixing and betting scandal.  The investigations led by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the British Basketball Federation (BBF) revealed five Surrey Scorchers players were involved in fixing match outcomes during the 2022-23 season.  Two players, Quincy Taylor and Charleston Dobbs, have […]

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Six former UK basketball players have been sanctioned for their involvement in a match-fixing and betting scandal. 

The investigations led by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the British Basketball Federation (BBF) revealed five Surrey Scorchers players were involved in fixing match outcomes during the 2022-23 season. 

Two players, Quincy Taylor and Charleston Dobbs, have been hit with lifetime bans and fines of £3,000 ($4,000) by the BBF. The bans have been extended globally by FIBA. 

A report by the UK Gambling Commission revealed the sanctions, noting that the Commission assisted in the investigations.  

A further three players, Shakem Johnston, Padiet Wang, and Joshua McFolley, were also sanctioned by FIBA for offenses during the same season. 

Johnson and Wang have been given lifetime bans with eligibility for reduction of suspension. McFolley, meanwhile, has been banned globally until September 2034.

The former Detroit Mercy guard is currently 28, meaning he will be in his late 30s when the ban expires. The players have been given the right to appeal the sanctions. 

One final player, Dean Wanliss, received a lesser penalty for betting on basketball matches between 2019 and 2021. Wanliss has not been implicated in match-fixing. The player was fined and suspended for three years for his offenses.

Basketball Heavily Affected By Suspicious Betting

A recent case in Eastern Michigan highlighted suspicious betting activity on a college basketball match. Basketball is second only to soccer in the number of matches flagged each year for suspicious betting activity. 

In 2024, 187 basketball matches were flagged as suspicious, which was more than all other sports except soccer’s 721 flags. 

One high-profile case led to NBA referee Tim Donaghy receiving a 15-month prison sentence for sharing insider information with gamblers. In the wake of the Donaghy case, the NBA has tightened its rules around betting accounts and insider information. 

Players continue to be implicated in scandals, however. Last year, NBA player Jontay Porter was given a lifetime ban for disclosing information to bettors about his injury status. 

The rise in popularity of prop bets makes any information regarding injury status a potential money-spinner. In Porter’s case, a co-conspirator was criminally charged for placing bets totaling $54,000, leading to profits of $22,000. 

Betting Scandals: A Long History In Basketball

Betting scandals are far from a new phenomenon. There were 33 players implicated in a point-shaving scandal in college basketball matches back in the 40s. 

Throughout the years, organized crime groups have also been involved in various scandals, including reportedly paying players at Boston College to fix point spreads during the 1978-1979 season. 

Michael Jordan is also a famous big bettor. Jordan claims that he does not have a gambling problem, but has a “competition problem”. A book was written by Jordan’s former golfing partner Richard Esquinas detailing the extent of the 6-time NBA champion’s gambling exploits. 

The book, titled ‘Michael and Me: Our Gambling Addiction… My Cry for Help.’ revealed that Jordan ran up more than $1.2 million in golf gambling debts, although the former player denies this claim. 

The long fight between basketball leagues to protect the sport looks set to continue. The NBA has recently appealed to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to increase its oversight of sports prediction markets, claiming that these markets risk compromising the integrity of the sport. 

In a letter to the CFTC, NBA Vice-President Alexandra Roth wrote: “the integrity risks posed by sports prediction markets are more significant and more difficult to manage than those presented by legal, regulated sports gambling.”

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UKGC Launches Revamped Consumer Voice Framework with Four Research Partners http://casinobeats.com/2025/06/03/ukgc-launches-revamped-consumer-voice-framework-with-four-research-partners/ Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=111448 The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has launched an expanded Consumer Voice framework, which it hopes will provide a deeper understanding of British public gambling behaviors. Unveiled on May 28, the UKGC’s latest initiative hopes to allow it to craft better evidence-based gambling policies shaped by authentic consumer feedback. The news follows the recent release of […]

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has launched an expanded Consumer Voice framework, which it hopes will provide a deeper understanding of British public gambling behaviors.

Unveiled on May 28, the UKGC’s latest initiative hopes to allow it to craft better evidence-based gambling policies shaped by authentic consumer feedback. The news follows the recent release of Q1 earnings data, which saw GGY hit £1.45 billion.

As part of its strategy, four new research firms have been contracted under the revised framework, each with a distinct mission objective and methodological approach. 

The firms: Yonder Consulting, the Behavioural Insights Team, Humankind Research, and Savanta, will conduct data collection and analysis until 2027, with a possible contract extension beyond that until 2029.

The UKGC’s shift aims to provide the Commission with a more comprehensive understanding of underrepresented demographics. 

These will include those impacted by gambling-related harm, as well as those who use non-mainstream gambling products, often not included in current research programs.

As part of the launch, Laura Carter, Head of Research at the Gambling Commission, chose to outline the expansive nature of the upgrade, stating: “This new framework gives us greater agility and reach than ever before.”

“With these four partners, we’re better equipped to commission high-quality research quickly and use a range of approaches to respond to emerging trends or risks as they develop,” Carter added. She also went on to underline the programs’ role in ensuring future decisions reflect the “lived experiences of all consumers and the evolving realities of gambling.”

UKGC Seeks Refined Data From New Consumer Voice Program

Detailing its latest measures, the UKGC suggested that its Consumer Voice program would supplement its Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), which collects representative data on a national level.

In contrast to the GSGB program, its newly refined Consumer Voice model will now enable the Commission to conduct specifically targeted studies in response to any emerging gambling-related incidents. 

In 2024 alone, more than 10,000 gambling consumers were involved in its research studies, which covered a range of themes. These included previous studies that have tackled issues like “financial risk checks, bonus incentives, and gambling during the cost-of-living crisis.”

Joe Wheeler, Associate Director at Yonder Consulting, stated that they have conducted studies on consumer trust, the unlicensed market, and gambling during major sporting events. “We’re delighted to continue our ongoing partnership and to support the Commission in delivering against key policy evidence gaps,” he noted.

Eleanor Collerton of the Behavioral Insights Team highlighted the team’s use of behavioral science research in helping the UKGC develop effective regulation. “We’re excited to contribute our expertise in experimental research to generate new insights and address key evidence gaps,” she said.

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UKGC Survey Shows Decline in UK Gambling Participation http://casinobeats.com/2025/05/28/ukgc-survey-shows-decline-in-uk-gambling-participation/ Wed, 28 May 2025 08:41:25 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=110578 The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has posted its latest Gambling Survey for Great Britain, showing reduced gambling participation in the UK. The commission published the Year 2, Wave 4 report on May 23, revealing that 46% of UK adults have participated in a gambling activity, including the lottery, in the past four weeks. The […]

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The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has posted its latest Gambling Survey for Great Britain, showing reduced gambling participation in the UK.

The commission published the Year 2, Wave 4 report on May 23, revealing that 46% of UK adults have participated in a gambling activity, including the lottery, in the past four weeks. The data shows this as the lowest rate since the survey began in 2023.

Some of the key findings of Wave 4, which surveyed 5,191 participants between September 2024 and January 2025, include:

  • Overall participation in gambling activity: 46% (down from 49% in wave 3)
  • Participation in the lottery: 34% (down from 37%)
  • Gambling participation (excluding lottery): 28% (flat)
  • Participation in online gambling (excluding lottery): 17% (up from 16%)
  • In-person gambling participation (excluding lottery): 18% (flat)
  • Highest participation rate by age group: Males 18-24 (47%, flat)

Men Gamble Online More, In-Person Rate is Similar to Women

The survey indicates that overall lottery participation decreased, while online gambling participation increased. This aligns with the Gambling Commission’s Q1 2025 earnings report, which showed online gambling growth of 7% year-over-year.

The report also shows the difference in the gambling behavior of men and women and between age groups. Men consistently gamble more than women across all gambling types. The gap is widest in online gambling (23% males vs. 11% females).

Regarding age, participation across most gambling formats increases through middle age, with the age group of 35-54 being the peak. Online gambling stands out again as being the exception.

In that segment, 18-24-year-old males gamble the most (33%). The rate drops to 32% for males aged 25-34 and then decreases gradually thereafter. Female participation in online gambling follows the trend of peaking at the 35-54 age group.

The most significant gap between men and women was observed in the betting segment, where 17% (14% online) of men participated, compared to only 4% (almost entirely online) of women.

Contrary to online gambling, in-person gambling shows little difference in participation between men and women. Notably, 26% of women between 35 and 44 gambled (excluding lottery), making them the highest participating group.

Overall Gambling is Declining, But Online Participation is Rising

The latest report highlights that overall gambling participation has been the lowest since the Gambling Commission began conducting the Gambling Survey for Great Britain in 2023.

From July 2023 until July 2024, participation remained flat at 48%. It then increased slightly to 49% in the July 2024 to October 2024 survey (2024 Wave 3), to drop to 46% for Wave 4.

Excluding the lottery, participation in gambling has remained relatively stable. In 2023, it stood at 27%, while in 2024 it increased to 28%. The modest increase could be attributed almost entirely to online gambling.

Participation in online gambling stood at 15% in 2023. That increased to 16% by 2024; the latest data shows 17%. In contrast, in-person gambling dropped from 19% in 2023 to 18% now.

UKGC Survey Explores Why People Gamble

The survey also explored the reasons people gamble. The biggest motivations included the chance of winning big money (85% of respondents) and the fun of it (73%).

Compared to the previous wave, the motivation to win big has remained steady, while the number of people who gamble for fun has increased by 3%.

A noticeable difference from the trend is the 18-24 age group, with 87% saying they gamble for fun, outpacing the 71% who say it’s for the chance to win big money.

The youngest demographic stands out as it appears that winning money is not the leading factor in gambling. Instead, it’s more of a social activity. The age group led all others in the following motivations:

  • Because it’s exciting: 75%
  • Because it’s something I do with friends or family: 58%
  • Because of the sense of achievement when I win: 57%
  • To be sociable: 55%

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UKGC Reports £1.45bn GGY in Q1 2025 as Online Gambling Surges http://casinobeats.com/2025/05/13/ukgc-reports-1-45bn-ggy-in-q1-2025-as-online-gambling-surges/ Tue, 13 May 2025 11:18:11 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=109186 The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) released its Q1 2025 earnings of £1.45 billion earlier this week, which included a 7% year-on-year increase in its online gross gambling yield (GGY). Observed between January and March earlier this year, its GGY growth indicators come amid a flurry of regulatory changes to the sector and a sizable market […]

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) released its Q1 2025 earnings of £1.45 billion earlier this week, which included a 7% year-on-year increase in its online gross gambling yield (GGY).

Observed between January and March earlier this year, its GGY growth indicators come amid a flurry of regulatory changes to the sector and a sizable market shift towards digital betting platforms.

UKGC Post 7% Q1 Online Gambling Growth Amid Digital Shift

As a result, online gambling continues to gain pace, further escalated by rising user engagement and sustained consumer demand within the division. This was demonstrated by the 5% surge in the total number of online bets and spins from the same period last year, up to 25.2 billion.

Digital slots led the advance of the online activity, posting a GGY increase of 11% year-on-year, hitting £689 million in total. Monthly active account numbers rose 6% to a record 4.5 million, leading to over 23.4 billion spins.

As active user numbers increased, so did player engagement levels as session lengths grew. By way of an indicator, online slot activity sessions lasting over an hour jumped by 5% to 10.1 million – although the average session duration did not fluctuate, remaining steady at 17 minutes.

In addition, real event betting also saw GGY gains, as wagering climbed 5% YOY to over £596 million, despite the number of bets and active accounts declining by 1% and 2%, respectively.

Q1’s highlight was the Cheltenham Festival, one of the UK’s premier horse racing events. This event boosted activity during the quarter, fueled by race results that undoubtedly favored operators this year.

High Street Gambling Faces Headwinds in Q1

Conversely, while the industry’s online revenue results were promising, the retail betting sector faced less favorable headwinds. Licensed Betting Operator (LBO) GGY fell by 3% to £554 million in Q1, with the number of bets and spins dropping 5% to the 3.1 billion mark.

Furthermore, over-the-counter (OTC) gambling was also hard hit, with the segment observing a 6% decline in volume despite the market’s GGY plateauing at £152 million. Meanwhile, self-service betting terminals (SSBTs) also saw a minor dip in Q1 revenue, with a 1% reduction, down to £125 million.

This characteristic swing in consumer wagering methods marks a worrying trend for physical betting venues. Whereas bettors still frequent high street and in-person casino venues, the sizable user shift towards the omnipresent mobile app and online sportsbook platforms is inescapable.

As part of the Q1 earnings report, the UKGC also corrected elements of its historical data. One instance of this was their choosing to reclassify statistics from the casino to slots verticals, attributed to the individual strength of the slots market.

While UKGC’s Q1 2025 total GGY of £1.45 billion is some way off topping its pandemic-driven peak of £1.66 billion in Q4 2020, its latest figures show a burgeoning market despite the additional regulatory changes the sector faces.

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UKGC Charges 15 With Cheating in 2024 Election Betting http://casinobeats.com/2025/04/14/ukgc-charges-15-with-cheating-in-2024-election-betting/ Mon, 14 Apr 2025 11:05:37 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=106198 The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has charged 15 people with alleged breaches of the Gambling Act 2005, specifically in relation to the 2024 UK General Election. This includes four with direct ties to the Conservative Party. The investigation focused on individuals suspected of using confidential information, specifically, advance knowledge of the proposed election date, to […]

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has charged 15 people with alleged breaches of the Gambling Act 2005, specifically in relation to the 2024 UK General Election. This includes four with direct ties to the Conservative Party.

The investigation focused on individuals suspected of using confidential information, specifically, advance knowledge of the proposed election date, to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the UK general election for July 2024 at short notice. Given the Conservatives’ perilous position in the polls, most expected an election later in the year.

Strong Conservative Ties For Four Charged by UKGC

Among those charged are Craig Williams, former Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire and an aide to Sunak. Also charged were:

  • Nick Mason, former Chief Data Officer for the Conservatives,
  • Laura Saunders, former Conservative parliamentary candidate for Bristol North West,
  • Anthony Lee, Saunders’ partner and former Director of Campaigning for the Conservatives,
  • Russell George, Conservative Member of the Senedd. 

Under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, their alleged actions constitute a criminal offence of cheating. 

The others that face UKGC charges are:

  • Simon Chatfield, 51
  • Amy Hind, 34
  • Anthony Hind
  • Jeremy Hunt, 55 (not the former Chancellor) 
  • Thomas James, 38
  • Charlotte Lang, 36
  • Iain Makepeace, 47
  • Paul Place, 53
  • James Ward, 40
  • Jacob Willmer, 39

All those charged are due to appear at Westminister Magistrates Court at 10 am on Friday, 13 June 2025. 

The Conservative Party was made aware of potential betting breaches at the time, and Saunders and Williams were suspended from the party soon after such activity was publicized.

There was a flurry of media stories surrounding betting on the 2024 election, with Conservative Cabinet Minister Alister Jack proudly claiming he made over £2,000 betting on the election. Jack, however, claimed he had not breached any UKGC rules and that his bets did not relate to the period being investigated by the British regulator.

Gambling controversy was not limited to the Conservative Party, either. Keir Starmer was forced to suspend his own candidate, Kevin Craig, who bet against himself winning Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, prompting a separate investigation from the UKGC. 

Craig apologized then, stating: “I am deeply sorry to the many dedicated and loyal local Labour Party volunteers who have been supporting my campaign. I will comply fully with the investigation.” 

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UKGC Flags Emerging AML Threats, Including Crypto and Crash Games http://casinobeats.com/2025/04/11/ukgc-flags-emerging-aml-threats-including-crypto-and-crash-games/ Fri, 11 Apr 2025 10:40:39 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=106121 The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released updated guidance on emerging risks relating to anti-money laundering (AML) and terrorist financing.  Companies holding a UK gambling license are required to keep up with emerging risk information published by the Commission. The release of updated guidance serves as a “trigger for operators to review their money laundering […]

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released updated guidance on emerging risks relating to anti-money laundering (AML) and terrorist financing. 

Companies holding a UK gambling license are required to keep up with emerging risk information published by the Commission. The release of updated guidance serves as a “trigger for operators to review their money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessments and related policies, procedures and controls.” 

The UKGC update from April 2025 highlights 13 broad AML risks:

  1. Money service business activity in remote and non-remote casinos.
  2. Artificial intelligence used to bypass customer due diligence.
  3. Money in exchange for personal details and gambling accounts.
  4. Third-party business relationships, including white-label partnerships and investments
  5. Open-loop payment processes
  6. Licensed software providers’ games on unlicensed websites
  7. Cryptoassets
  8. Terminals used to facilitate payments in non-remote casinos
  9. Changing customer demographics in the non-remote casino sector
  10. Adult gaming centre premises converting to licensed bingo premises
  11. Crash games
  12. Application Registration Cards
  13. Jurisdictions subject to increased monitoring by FATF

Several of the above are regarding activities undertaken online and cover emerging trends in technology and consumer behavior. Several have specific applications to the emergence of crypto casinos and offshore gaming sites. 

UK Licensees Offering Games to Illegal Operators

The Commission has pointed to a rise in casino games that are developed by licensed software operators in the UK being available on unlicensed websites that are accessible and target the UK market. It outlines that those undertaking such activity are “at risk of accepting funds derived from criminal activity.” 

The Commission advises operators to “actively monitor their business relationships to ensure that partners are not offering illegal gambling facilities” to the British market. Should there be non-compliance, operators are required to terminate these relationships immediately. “Actively notifying the Commission and presenting a clear and prompt plan to mitigate the issue is a minimum requirement.” 

Growing Interest in Crypto Sparks UKGC AML Concern

Increasing interest in cryptocurrencies within the licensed gambling industry has been noted as an area of concern from a money laundering perspective. The UKGC officially rates crypto as a ‘high-risk payment method.” 

Guidelines also note a large theft of crypto from the ByBit exchange in February 2025. They claim that the group alleged to have undertaken the theft is ” suspected to use complex online money laundering systems, which, in the past, have been thought to include remote gambling operators around the world.” 

The UK regulator has urged vigilance with regard to the use and acceptance of crypto assets. As the number of payment providers that offer crypto payment facilities increases, operators are encouraged to have a “full understanding of the services provided” by their payment providers. 

Additionally, where source of funds checks show that customers’ funds to gamble have come from crypto trading, this should be considered as a high-risk indicator, and sufficient due diligence must be undertaken. 

Crash Games Bring AML Risks

Updated guidance notes that “Crash games have been offered by crypto casinos […] for a number of years.”

It continues: “We have been made aware of an increased interest in crash games within the legal, licensed casino sector, so we are drawing operators’ attention to the risks of this game type.” 

The mechanics of crash games, which allows customers to cash out at any point after an initial bet is made (as the multiplier grows), can allow criminals to “camouflage the high-risk behaviour of cashing out quickly with limited gameplay within the context of the crash game (where these behaviors are inherently more common), and that transactional monitoring controls may not be effective in detecting suspicious activity.” 

The UKGC advises operators to assess the AML risk of any new product they launch. It adds, “Operators must then ensure they have appropriate procedures in place to prevent money laundering.” It suggests using the feed of crash game activity to build into a customer’s overall risk profile. 

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UKGC talks tough on sources of funds http://casinobeats.com/2020/01/28/ukgc-talks-tough-on-sources-of-funds/ Tue, 28 Jan 2020 14:23:21 +0000 http://casinobeats.com/?p=26534 The UK Gambling Commission has reminded operators of the the importance of being able to demonstrate legitimate sources of funds when acquiring or investing in gambling businesses. The note cites the example of the license revocation of online casino operator MaxEnt in June 2019, which saw the operator lose its licence to provide gambling facilities […]

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The UK Gambling Commission has reminded operators of the the importance of being able to demonstrate legitimate sources of funds when acquiring or investing in gambling businesses.

The note cites the example of the license revocation of online casino operator MaxEnt in June 2019, which saw the operator lose its licence to provide gambling facilities to consumers in Great Britain following concerns raised in regards to its change of corporate control and source of funds.

In this instance, MaxEnt applied for a continuation of its licence following a change of corporate control. The application revealed a previously undisclosed change of corporate control, which resulted in the regulator being dissatisfied with the source of funds used to finance the business – both prior to the undisclosed change of corporate control and during the later disclosed change of corporate control. 

Regarding the case against MaxEnt, Commission officials were initially concerned that the funds used posed a risk to the licensing objectives, notably, in preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, with further concerns being raised regarding the operator’s suitability to hold a licence following the submission of evidence to a regulatory panel. 

The key findings of the panel were:

  1. Officials were satisfied as to the adequacy of resources now available to the applicant to fund the business in the future but not as to the source of funds used to acquire and support the business at the time of, and following, the changes of corporate control; 
  2. The Commission had no adequate evidence of the source of funds used to acquire and finance the business in 2017 and through 2018; 
  3. In a declaration form to another gambling regulator, the applicant failed to identify their previous ownership and management of a casino. This was also omitted from the applicant’s CV provided to the Commission; 
  4. Despite a protracted period of correspondence and discussion between the applicant and Commission officials prior to the panel hearing, further material was produced to the Commission shortly before the hearing; 
  5. New, previously undisclosed information was identified during the hearing which required the applicant to provide further material; and 
  6. After the provision of this further material, evidence of source of funds remained outstanding. This meant that neither the licensee nor the applicant had a proper appreciation for the need to be full and frank with the Commission, nor for what the Commission requires to process an application of this kind.  

Discussing its regulatory decision at the time, the UKGC explained: “After a hearing before the regulatory panel, the commission has decided to revoke the operating licence under section 102(4)(b) of the Gambling Act 2005.

“This is because the Commission is not satisfied that it would have been granted the operating licence to the licensee had the new controller been a controller of the company when the application for the operating licence was made.

“In particular, the Commission is not satisfied as to the source of funds used to acquire and support the licensee at the time of, and following, the change of corporate control.

“The Commission also identified concerns relating to the new controller’s suitability, in that it appeared that he had provided conflicting information and had failed to be full and frank in his dealings with the Commission.”

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GAMSTOP Reports 31% Rise in Under-25s Self-Excluding from Gambling in 2024 http://casinobeats.com/2025/02/06/gamstop-reports-31-rise-in-under-25s-self-excluding-from-gambling-in-2024/ Thu, 06 Feb 2025 18:00:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=100962 GAMSTOP, the United Kingdom’s national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, has reported a 31 percent year-on-year increase in the number of under-25s using the service in the second half of 2024.  Recent data shows that 24% of people self-excluding through the service are now between the ages of 16 and 24, which marks a shift […]

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GAMSTOP, the United Kingdom’s national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, has reported a 31 percent year-on-year increase in the number of under-25s using the service in the second half of 2024. 

Recent data shows that 24% of people self-excluding through the service are now between the ages of 16 and 24, which marks a shift from the previous period. The period examined included major global sporting events such as the Olympics and the European Football Championship.

Areas with the Highest Self-Exclusion Rates

GAMSTOP also revealed that, for the first time in the company’s history, it had analyzed detailed data to provide a regional breakdown of self-excluding individuals. This is in an effort to help support local authorities in targeting their services. 

Hull is the postcode area with the highest proportion of GAMSTOP registrants, equating to 1.5% of the area’s total population. Teesside and Sunderland were in the top three, with 1.4% of the total population. Doncaster and Blackpool are the other two areas in the top five. 

Between its launch in April 2018 and the end of 2024, 532,484 people registered with GAMSTOP, over one percent of the total adult UK population. 

July through December 2024 saw a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2023, which goes against the notable trend of more people typically self-excluding in the first half of the calendar year. 

Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP, commented, “The increase in the number of under-25s registering for GAMSTOP has become an accelerating trend, with a 31 percent year-on-year increase in the second half of 2024, following a 12 percent increase in the first half of the year. 

When considering solutions, she continued, “There is a clear need for targeted education and support aimed at this group which is why we continue to put so much emphasis on collaborating with Ygam and Gamcare reaching out to students. We go to where they are to ensure they are aware of tools, such as self-exclusion, which can help to prevent gambling harm.” 

GAMSTOP has recently introduced a ‘5 years with auto-renewal’ exclusion aimed at ‘vulnerable customers looking to extend their abstinence from gambling. The feature was introduced as a direct result of feedback from users. Alternatively, users can self-exclude for six months, a year, or up to five years. 

Discussing the new, regionalized data, Palmer said, “GAMSTOP allows vulnerable consumers to take a break from gambling, and we want to raise awareness of the service amongst those who need it most.” 

She concluded, “Our detailed regional data has highlighted the postcodes where self-exclusion has been most widely adopted, and we hope this will help local authorities and other bodies to target appropriate support in the areas where the need is greatest.”

Written By

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Online vs. In-Person Gambling: UKGC Study Highlights Key Differences http://casinobeats.com/2025/02/04/online-vs-in-person-gambling-ukgc-study-highlights-key-differences/ Tue, 04 Feb 2025 12:11:39 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=100463 The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published a short report examining the reasons behind people’s gambling activities.  The report broadly categorizes the reasons people give for gambling into five themes: monetary, social, enhancement (fun or excitement), coping and/or escapism, and finally, the mental challenge.  86% of gamblers in the past 12 months, and 90% […]

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The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published a short report examining the reasons behind people’s gambling activities. 

The report broadly categorizes the reasons people give for gambling into five themes: monetary, social, enhancement (fun or excitement), coping and/or escapism, and finally, the mental challenge. 

86% of gamblers in the past 12 months, and 90% in the past four weeks responded to the survey outlining they gamble for the chance of winning big money. 

Of the respondents, 70% (12 months) and 72% (four weeks) gambled because it’s fun. This was reduced to 58% (12 months) and 63% (four weeks) for the reason of ‘making money’. The least popular reason provided was ‘gambling to impress others’, which recorded just 8% across both time frames. 

Different Games, Different Motivations

When applying the broad themes to different gambling products, there were some interesting results. 

  • Lottery and scratchcards: Entering the national lottery draw was most linked to monetary motivation. Scratchcard motivation was more of a mix, with monetary, coping/escapism, and enhancement all featuring prominently.
  • Betting (Sports, racing, and events): Online sports betting’s strongest association was enhancement (excitement). In-person betting was more associated with the challenge motivation. Betting on ‘Other Events’ was primarily driven by coping and escapism motives. 
  • Bingo: According to survey respondents, attending bingo halls in person is mainly driven by social motivations. Online bingo, on the other hand, is strongly associated with coping/escapism. 
  • Casino games: The casino category excludes slots. Online play is strongly tied to coping/escapism, whereas in-person moves towards social but also coping/escapism and challenge. The use of casino machines or terminals shares similar characteristics but is also linked to monetary motivations. 
  • Slot machines (Fruit machines and slots): The strongest motivations for online play were coping and escapism. The same motivations were prevalent for in-person slot play, but to a lesser extent. 

As shown above, online gambling is associated significantly more with coping and escapism. In-person play tends to be more associated with social and enhancement motivations. Monetary gain, or winning big, is not the main motivation for most activities (except draw-based lottery). 

How the Data Was Collected & the Limitations

The report’s data comes from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). It included individuals aged 16 and older who had gambled at least once in the past twelve months. Of the 5,780 survey respondents, 4,562 had gambled in the past four weeks and provided data on more recent behavior. 

The report does not draw conclusions, and critics of the results point to self-reporting and sampling bias as reasons why the data can be misinterpreted. However, it can be considered a useful tool for understanding gambling motivations in the UK, especially the emphasis on social elements in person versus online. 

Helen Bryce, the UKGC’s Head of Statistics commented, “This is the first of two deep dive reports we will be releasing from the GSGB. The 2nd report explores the relationship between gambling activities and Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores building on the relative difference analysis we included in the GSGB Annual Report (2023) published last Summer, by taking account of other factors such as number of activities someone takes part in and demographic variables.” 

The report on the relationship between gambling activities and the PGSI will be released in the next week. 

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Gordon Moody: “vital new framework is inclusive of wider third sector” https://casinobeats.com/2024/12/10/gordon-moody-vital-new-framework-is-inclusive-of-wider-third-sector/ Tue, 10 Dec 2024 15:10:09 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=99184 Gordon Moody has emphasised the importance of the role of the third sector as safer gambling frameworks move into a new era in the UK. The treatment and support charity has issued its response to a misunderstanding by the NHS at the GambleAware Conference in London.  The conference was the first after confirmation of the […]

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Gordon Moody has emphasised the importance of the role of the third sector as safer gambling frameworks move into a new era in the UK. The treatment and support charity has issued its response to a misunderstanding by the NHS at the GambleAware Conference in London. 

The conference was the first after confirmation of the new statutory levy and the application of £2/£5 stake limits in the UK, which Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross underlined will ensure Britain has the safest gambling environments.

As the landscape unfolds the NHS will be positioned as the Chief Commissioner with the goal of improving the accessibility, quality, and impact of services tackling gambling-related harms by addressing the individual needs of local communities.

However, the GambleAware conference provided a stage to emphasise just how crucial collaboration will be moving forward and why it’s so vital that the third sector continues to play a crucial role in safeguarding players. 

In spite of this, Dr Claire Murdoch, National Mental Health Director, NHS England, surprisingly took aim at the industry and pinpointed Gordon Moody, for “stoking demand and preying on the vulnerable”, having apparently confused the non-profit with an operator. 

She later took to X to state the comments “badly reflected Gordon Moody’s position on industry. Rushing. I want to thank you for great work. Happy to meet to further address your important questions on procurement and hear more about your work”.

Gordon Moody provided CasinoBeats with the following statement in response: “We are pleased that Dr Claire Murdoch quickly clarified her comment about Gordon Moody made at the recent GambleAware conference during her In Conversation session with GambleAware CEO, Zoe Osmond. We look forward to meeting with Dr Murdoch to explain the work Gordon Moody has been doing since 1971 to help people reclaim and rebuild their lives free from gambling-related harms.

“Gordon Moody is the expert by experience in the gambling harm treatment space. Our unique programmes are delivered by highly qualified professionals who are equipped to focus not just on gambling harm, but also on other comorbidities. We carry out comprehensive assessments that help us integrate appropriate therapies into personalised treatment plans that address each service user’s unique needs.

“The new commissioning framework will fundamentally change how treatment services are funded. It is vitally important that the framework takes into account the work of organisations like Gordon Moody, as well as those within the NGSN and the wider third sector.”

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