But is it going to push swathes of gambling activity offshore, and will it yield £1.1 billion in new tax revenue as the Office for Budget Responsibility claims? And why could it lead to retail closures when taxes on betting shops were left untouched??

Ed Birkin is not so sure, as Right to the Source breaks down the key figures to cut away the hyperbole and set out what GB gambling faces facing in the wake of the tax rise.

Couple arrested over AU$1.2 million fraudulent casino win

A husband and wife from Kazakhstan have been arrested over allegations they defrauded an Australian casino out of AU$1.2million (US$786,059).

The BBC reports that the couple was caught cheating at Crown Sydney. Dilnoza Israilova was found to be wearing a discreet camera on her T-shirt while gambling at the venue.

Police also found “magnetised probes” and a mirror attachment for a phone allegedly used to rig games. Both she and her husband, Alisherykhoja Israilov, were arrested shortly after.

New South Wales Police charged the pair with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage. They remain in custody over the matter.

Malta regulator issues further warning over illegal sites

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has distanced itself from two websites that claim to be licensed by the regulator.

Both Lavbet321.com and Kasinoseta.com claimed to have been approved by the MGA and that they hold a Malta licence. However, the regulator said this was not the case with either site.

The MGA said that any reference to the regulator or a Malta gaming licence is “false and misleading”.

“The MGA would like to remind consumers not to utilise services provided by an entity unless they have ascertained that the entity in question is authorised to provide such services by the MGA,” the regulator said.

London councils join anti-gambling ad campaign on Underground

Five more London councils have declared their support for a campaign to stop gambling advertising on the city’s Underground.

Barnet, Brent, Enfield, Hackney and Lewisham councils joined the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA), the BBC reported. The group campaigns against the spread of harmful gambling promotions, with the Underground one of its focus areas.

Haringey Council was the first council to join CEGA in January 2025. The ongoing campaign calls for the end of advertising for all forms of gambling.

In 2021, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan pledged to implement such a ban as part of his re-election manifesto. However, this has yet to come to fruition.

Evoplay welcomes Mantsiou as chief financial officer

The game development studio Evoplay has promoted Vasilena Mantsiou to the role of chief financial officer.

As CFO, she will oversee the studio’s financial strategy, planning and operations. This, Evoplay said, will support sustainable growth and stability as part of its global expansion plans.

Mantsiou joined Evoplay in May 2022 and was promoted to head of the accounting department in January 2024.

“Vasilena’s been an integral part of Evoplay’s journey, demonstrating exceptional leadership and deep financial expertise,” said Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, “Her promotion to CFO is a natural step forward. We’re confident that her strategic vision will continue to support our long-term goals as we expand into new markets.”

Caesars launches sports betting in Missouri

On the first day online sports betting became available in Missouri Monday, Caesars Entertainment has announced its launch.

Players in the state can now download the Caesars Sportsbook mobile app and place bets on a range of markets. They can also visit physical locations at both Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St Louis.

Missouri was also the first state where Caesars launched with Universal Digital Wallet on the first day of wagering. This enables deposits and withdrawals across Caesars platforms in all regulated states.

Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital, said: “From our intuitive mobile app to our in-person sportsbooks at Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St Louis, we’re committed to providing a secure and responsible way for fans to engage with the sports they love.”

The betting and gaming consultancy questioned some of the figures put forward by the Office of Budgetary Responsibility (OBG). Previously, the OBG said the changes could bring in up to an additional £1.6 billion in tax receipts.

This figure, however, was reduced to £1.1 billion when accounting for “behavioural change” expected among consumers due to tax increases. These reflect a possible fall in player demand due to a reduction in bonuses as operators seek to mitigate the impact of higher tax, with some users also turning to the black market.

However, H2GC said the increase in tax receipts would be more modest. Its own estimates place the rise at around £800 million by FY28, after accounting for behavioural change among players.

That said, prior to behavioural change, H2GC noted that its estimates were in line with the OBR at £1.6 billion in additional tax income.

Behavioural changes from GB gambling tax hike

The most variation appears within the iGaming sector, which faces the higher rate of 40%. Based on its own calculation, H2GC said the “static” increase – prior to behavioural change alterations – would be £1.35 billion by FY28. However, it placed the adjusted figure at £649 million, almost half the initial, static figure.

As for sports betting, which will see its tax rate rise to 25%, the static estimation was £204 million. After behavioural change, the adjusted figure was considerably lower at £149 million.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the tax increases in the autumn budget announcement on Wednesday. These include a rise in remote gaming duty from 21% to 40%, which will come into effect in April 2026.

A new general betting duty for remote betting will also be introduced in April 2027 at 25%, up from 15%. This will apply to online betting profit but exclude self-service betting terminals, spread betting, pool bets and horse racing bets.

Higher tax could push revenue down 14%

H2GC also compared the impact of higher tax rates on gross gaming yield (GGY) and gross gaming revenue (GGR) in the UK. It said both would be impacted by operators withdrawing from the UK, due to the rise in tax, and an increase in players switching to unlicensed sites in search of better bonuses and promotions.

By FY28, GGY – based on the market after the tax increases – would be around £6.69 billion. However, if rates were to be kept the same, GGY would reach approximately £7.79 billion. In total, H2GC said GGY would drop £1.1 billion, or 14%, if the tax rise goes ahead.

Again, iGaming would be the hardest hit, with a 16% drop in GGY expected after the new tax rules come into effect. Sports betting GGR would be 8% lower based on the same estimates.

In terms of GGR, current regulations mean this could hit £9.14 billion by FY28. After the tax rises, GGR would be approximately £7.12 billion, meaning a decline of £1.97 billion, or 22%, as a direct result of higher tax rates.

H2GC said iGaming GGR could be as much as 25% lower in FY28 if the tax rise goes ahead. Sports betting GGR would be 11% lower, with the rate increase here coming into effect later than for iGaming.

Black market in Great Britain to double in size by FY28

Much of the behavioural changes accounted for by the consultancy relate to players moving to black market sites.

Based on current taxation rates, total channelisation for the online market will be 94% by FY28, in terms of GGY. This would reach 97% for sports betting and 93% for iGaming. However, after the new rates, channelisation for the entire market could be as low as 87%, H2GC said. Sports betting channelisation could drop to 94% and iGaming 83%.

As for GGR, based on current taxation, channelisation is on track to be 93% in FY28, with a split of 97% for sports betting and 92% iGaming. Should the tax increase go ahead this would be around 84% for the whole online market, with sports betting at 93% and iGaming 80%.

In essence, H2GC said the black market could more than double in size based on the new tax rates. Offshore GGY would be 111% higher by FY28 if the changes takes place, with offshore GGR also rising 110%.

“We have little doubt that, if the direction of these forecasts materialise, then a reduction in the onshore market will be viewed by politicians as a major victory,” H2GC said. “Not only have they been able to curb the size of the onshore online gambling industry, but they have increased tax revenue at the same time.

“However, what will be completely ignored will be the at least doubling in size of the illegal market and all the negative implications this has, not least on player welfare.”

Industry hits back at planned changes

Announcement of the tax increases, unsurprisingly, led to criticism from the industry. Many major operators hit out at the decision, saying this would not only impact their own business but also have a detrimental impact on the wider market.

Primary concerns included increased traffic to the black market, a reduction in bonus offers and cut-backs on spending, with some businesses warning jobs could be lost as they seek to mitigate the impact of higher taxes.

Tax rises were confirmed by the Office of Budgetary Responsibility and set out in Parliament by Chancellor Rachel Reeves during the autumn budget announcement on Wednesday.

Among the gambling-specific changes was a hike in remote gaming duty from 21% to 40%. A new general betting duty for remote betting will also be introduced in April 2027 at 25%, up from 15%. However, this only covers online betting profit and excludes self-service betting terminals, spread betting, pool bets and horse racing bets. 

The new tax rates will come into effect from the start of the next financial year in April 2026.

Unsurprisingly, the response from the industry has been negative and highly critical. Main concerns include how the new rates will impact investment in the industry, with potential job cuts on the horizon. There were also worries over the future financial performance of operators and a potential rise in black market gambling.

Tax rises will ‘significantly’ harm UK industry

The overall consensus was that higher tax will have a negative impact on the UK market. Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst said the new, “excessive” online tax rates will undermine jobs, investment and growth.

“Massive tax increases for online betting and gaming announced in the budget make them among the highest in the world,” Hurst said. “They’re a devastating hammer blow to tens of thousands of people working in the industry across the UK, and millions of customers who enjoy a bet.”

Per Widerström, CEO of Evoke, also raised concerns about the impact the tax rise will have on the UK market. He said the increases are “highly damaging” for the UK economy and players.

“As an industry, we have consistently warned of the significant impact on jobs, investment in the UK and player protection that these changes would have,” Widerström said. “Yet sadly the government chose not to listen. Proposals are ill-thought-through, counterproductive and highly damaging. It is clear these changes will significantly harm businesses, employees and customers.

“As a result of the actions now required, these tax changes will reduce the overall level of tax the regulated industry pays in the UK and, more importantly, it will have a significant negative impact on player protection as these changes will incentivise activity moving to the illegal and dangerous black market.”

Stella David, CEO of Entain, said she was “deeply disappointed” with the decision, saying it poses risks to the industry.

“Disproportionately increasing gambling taxes will not only have a detrimental impact on our industry but also heighten the risk for customers,” David said. “As seen in other countries, punitive tax increases often lead to lower tax revenues overall, while also driving players to illegal, unregulated operators with no player protections.”

‘Robust’ enforcement must accompany tax rate

Super Group, which owns the Betway brand, was a little more positive in its assessment. CEO Neal Menashe said that the higher rates could be “reasonable” if accompanied by “robust and strict enforcement” in terms of black market activity.

“Super Group supports the reasonable taxation of online gaming in the UK,” Menashe said. “We rely on the government to ensure the very substantial increase should be paired with robust and strict enforcement against non-paying offshore operators. This is essential to protect the regulated sector’s investment in jobs, technology and responsible gaming in the UK.”

Elsewhere, Rank Group took the budget with mixed emotions. While the online rise will hit its digital business, this impact will be partly offset by the abolition of bingo duty, which was also announced in the budget.

“The announced increase in remote gaming duty represents a very significant blow to the regulated betting and gaming industry in the UK,” CEO John O’Reilly said. “While we are pleased that the government has abolished bingo duty, which will help to sustain jobs and investment in the land-based sector, the far more significant impact on the group is the hit to digital profitability.”

Budget ‘slightly’ better than expected

Away from operators, several professional firms and analysts have also given their opinion on the budget. Deutsche Bank said the news was “slightly” better than first thought, given the reprieves for land-based gambling. It said the budget “improves” the near-term outlook for the UK gambling sector.

“From a company perspective, Rank looks to have emerged significantly better than expected,” Deutsche Bank said. “Entain and Evoke are also slightly better, albeit for the latter there remains concern over the resulting balance sheet/leverage.”

Meanwhile, Adam Rivers, managing director and global head of betting and gaming practice at Alvarez and Marsal (A&M), said while the budget was “painful” for the online sector, not all business models have fared badly.

“Scrapping bingo duty and holding machine gaming duty steady gives land-based bingo operators some breathing space, helping venues that still matter to many communities stay on the high street and supporting the wider hospitality sector.”

How will operators cope with tax rise?

Looking ahead, some operators published forecasts as to how higher tax will impact their financial performance. They also detailed some of the measures they are putting in place to offset additional tax costs.

Super Group CFO Alinda van Wyk estimated an impact of approximately 6% to 2026 group adjusted EBITDA. However, the group has several mitigation levers in motion that are intended to offset the tax impact.

“Our strategy remains unchanged: sustainable growth and disciplined capital allocation,” van Wyk said. “We don’t expect the news to alter our long-term trajectory nor our capital return priorities.”

Entain’s David also offered insight into how the business will cope with the higher tax rate. She said it will mitigate approximately 25% of this impact through actions including reducing marketing and promotions. Consistent with the dates of proposed implementation, this equates to an EBITDA impact of approximately £100 million in 2026 and £150 million from 2027.

In addition, David hinted that Entain would likely pick up more UK-based players. This would come as other, smaller operators are forced to exit the market due to the higher tax rates.

‘Thousands’ of jobs set to be cut

Evoke’s Widerström also offered insight into potential mitigation steps. Approximately 50% of higher tax costs will be mitigated in the medium term. This includes through supplier savings, reduced marketing, retail store closures, operating cost savings and potential changes to the customer proposition.

Widerström added that Evoke will begin immediately to execute these mitigation plans, with redundancies set to be part of this approach. He said: “This will involve a significant reduction in investment into the UK and, very regrettably, the likely need for thousands of jobs to be cut up and down the country.

With Rank, the group said it expects an additional duty cost of £46 million on its UK digital business. However, this will be partly offset by the abolition of bingo duty. Rank also noted the impact of the 4.1% rise in the hourly National Minimum Wage to £12.71. It said this will represent an additional cost impact of approximately £5.5 million.

Some positivity over future financial prospects

Flutter UK and Ireland CEO Kevin Harrington was also among the voices of concern over the mooted changes. However, in terms of Flutter’s future performance, he remained optimistic.

Harrington said direct first order mitigation, including reduced operational, promotional and marketing spend, will be approximately 20% of gross impact during the first six months after implementation, rising to 40% thereafter.  As such, net impact on adjusted EBITDA for FY2026 would be approximately $235 million and $339 million in 2027.

“Despite this impact, I am confident that through both our scale and leading position in the UK, as well as the proactive cost initiatives that we are taking, we are well placed to navigate through the changes,” he said.

Playtech also issued a statement acknowledging the increases. It said that impact in group adjusted EBITDA for 2026 would be in the “high-teens millions of euros” before mitigation. However, it added that its operations outside the UK would help offset these declines.

“Given the group’s geographic diversity across regulated markets and strong performance and prospects outside of the UK, Playtech remains comfortable that it can meet market expectations for the full year 2026,” Playtech said.

Enlarged black market argument remains

The underlying theme was the impact the rise in tax will have on black market gambling. In the lead up to the budget, industry voices raised concerns about growth among unlicensed operators after tax rises.

The BGC’s Hurst said these concerns will now be realised. She said: “The budget is a massive win for the incredibly harmful, unsafe, unregulated gambling black market, which pays no tax and offers none of the protections that exist in the regulated sector.”

Flutter’s Harrington agreed, saying the increases hand a “big win” to unlicensed operators, who will become more competitive overnight. He said: “These black market operators don’t pay tax and don’t invest in safer gambling. At 40%, the UK’s remote gaming duty is now above countries such as the Netherlands, where a recent tax increase saw a rise in illegal gambling and a fall in government receipts.”

Regulus echoes black market concerns

Regulus was of a similar mindset. Analysts said the expected reduction in bonuses – as operators seek to mitigate the costs on the tax rises – will drive more players to unlicensed sites, which may offer more bonuses and promotions. With this, it said as much as £2.5 billion in gross gaming revenue could flow into the black market.

“The idea that people are going to gamble less because the licensed sector does not offer bonuses, has a slowly worsening offer due to a lack of profits to invest, or because the Gambling Commission has another £26 million ‘to tackle the illicit market’ is naïve at best,” Regulus said. “Instead, around £2.5 billion of GGR will flow directly into the black market, as is already happening on a smaller scale due to other regulatory interventions.

“The black market therefore gets to fill the vacuum of cuts in marketing, product and operating expenditure in the licensed sector – meaning its product will be better, stand out and will be sought out.”

A new general betting duty for remote betting will be introduced in April 2027 at 25%, up from the current rate of 15%. However, the new rate will only be paid on online betting profit and exclude spread betting, pool bets and horse racing bets.  

Bets made at self-service betting terminals will also be spared from the new rate.

The chancellor had been hinting at a gambling tax increase in recent months, after an initial consultation was launched in April to consolidate the current three tax rates: remote gaming duty, remote betting duty, and gaming machine duty.

The new rates are expected to raise £4 billion in tax receipts in 2025-26, marking a 9.8% increase on last year. In 2026-27, gambling tax receipts will increase by a further 24.8% to £5 billion.

Elsewhere in the budget, it was announced the current 10% rate for bingo duty will be abolished and casino gaming duty bands will be frozen in 2026-2027.  

The government said it expected operators to pass on up to 90% of the duty increases to consumers by increasing prices or reducing payouts. This, it said, will lead to a reduction in consumer demand which reduces the yield from the measure by £500 million by 2029-30.   

How have we gotten here?

In April HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Treasury proposed a single remote gambling tax to replace the current three-rate system. The sector hit back at the suggestion, flagging the impact a rise in remote betting duty would have, particularly on the retail and horse racing sectors.

Various think tanks got involved in the conversation, proposing the government raise the remote gaming duty to as high as 50%.

Since then, the Treasury Select Committee carried out an investigation into what format a gambling tax restructure, or hike, should take. It questioned various sector stakeholders and think tank experts in October about the impact a tax hike could have on problem gambling rates.

It also quizzed members of the BGC on why many operators maintain offshore bases and whether the sector was overstating its concerns for their retail businesses.

In its follow-up report, the committee advised the government to tax verticals separately based on their risk profile.

Earlier in November, the regulator suspended the company’s operating licence amid anti-money laundering failures. These included issues with the casino’s AML policies, procedures and controls, all of which are required by licence.

Concerns regarding decision-making processes and responses to identified AML and counter-terrorist financing risks were also flagged. At the time, the commission said these “serious” issues warranted a licence suspension while it carried out a broader review.

Changes to casino leadership

However, issuing an update on the case, the regulator confirmed the suspension has been lifted. This, the commission said, followed significant action taken by the operator.

These steps included widespread changes to the casino’s leadership, AML and compliance supervisors. VGC Leeds has also implemented new AML and safer gambling policies and procedures, improved staff training on AML and social responsibility. In addition, the venue committed to undergoing an independent audit within six weeks

This was enough for the commission to lift the licence suspension. However, its review of the operator will continue, with monitoring of its actives to remain ongoing. The commission said this will ensure “full and sustained compliance” with licensing requirements.

Based in Leeds city centre, the casino offers slot machines, table games and electronic roulette games. It also houses bars and lounges for watching sports events and hosting live entertainment.

The suspension was the second regulatory ruling against VGC Leeds in recent years. During October 2021, the company was ordered to pay a £450,000 regulatory settlement after the regulator flagged social responsibility and AML failures at the casino.

Commission taking no prisoners in clampdown

VGC Leeds was one of several companies to have faced regulatory action in Britain in recent weeks.

Deadheat Racing had its licences suspended while the commission carried out a review of the operator. This was in response to suspected social responsibility and AML failures and covered the operator’s remote and non-remote betting licences.

Meanwhile, Videoslots was fined £650,000 for breaching AML and social responsibility rules. NetBet was also recently ordered to pay £650,000, again over AML and social responsibility failings.

In addition, the commission suspended Spribe OÜ’s software licence in October for failing to comply with hosting requirements. The commission said this was due to “serious” non-compliance. The supplier said it was applying for the relevant hosting licence and hoped to be running again within a few weeks.

Allwyn and UK National Lottery set for Christmas

Allwyn has launched a new scratchcards campaign for the UK National Lottery for the 2026 festive season.

The fully integrated campaign focuses on how scratchcards can help bring people together at Christmas. This includes playing Musical Scratchcards at the dinner table and other games in a variety of settings.

The campaign has gone live in the week that the National Lottery also celebrates its 30th anniversary.

“Christmas is all about shared moments, many times involving games and a healthy dose of competitiveness,” said Steve Parkinson, brand and marketing director at Allwyn. “Scratchcards are all about adding some fun and excitement – so are the perfect thing to bring along to festive gatherings.”

LeoVegas scores Valletta FC deal

LeoVegas Group has entered into a partnership with Malta Premier League football club Valletta FC.

LeoVegas will serve as the team’s exclusive online gaming partner for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons. The deal includes match kit sleeve branding for the men’s squad.

Other aspects of the agreement include visibility across all club facilities such as the training grounds and the matchday fanzone. LeoVegas branding will also appear on the squad’s training bags.

“Our Group has considered itself a partly Maltese company almost since its inception,” said Stefan Nelson, LeoVegas Group CFO and Malta managing director. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the capital’s club to create exciting opportunities for fans, employees and future talent alike.”

William Hill launches Racing Bet Builder

William Hill has announced the launch of its Racing Bet Builder product in the UK and Ireland.

Bettors can combine multiple selections from the same race into one customised bet. This will be the first time an option like this will be available to customers.

Same-race bets include horses to finish in the top three, beat one another, exact finishing positions, betting without runners, and winning distance.

“Our customers have been asking for more customisable ways to bet on racing,” said Mark Howarth, William Hill’s director of racing. “We’re delighted to deliver this fantastic product.”

Swintt to expand Italian offering

Swintt has announced plans to extends its offering in Italy following early success in the country’s iGaming market.

The software provider entered Italy in October via an exclusive partnership with Eurobet.it. This included an initial roll-out of content such as Pirates Pledge Hold & Win, Battle of Myths, Supa Crew, Wizardz World and Crystalium.

Swintt will now seek approval from the regulator to roll out a second round of releases from Elysium Studios on the Italian platform. Additional games may include A Hopping Kiss and Enigma of Egypt.

David Mann, chief executive officer at Swintt, said: “Having only launched with Eurobet.it at the end of October, we’ve been really encouraged by the reception our Elysium Studios titles have received from Italian players, and work is already under way to roll out our next round of releases.”

Stakelogic eyes engagement with mini games

Stakelogic has launched five new mini games with a focus on player engagement and instant-win excitement.

Golden Kick, Mouse on the Run, Gold Pick Legend, Flip N Win and Tiki Tiki Twist are all now available from Stakelogic.

The developer said the collection blends “simple play with high engagement”. This, it added, gives players something “compelling” to dip in and out of between longer sessions.

James Jelliffe, head of slots at Stakelogic, said: “This latest collection showcases just how much personality and excitement can be delivered in short-form play. We’re excited to see them live across our operator network.”

The suspension is effective immediately and covers the operator’s remote and non-remote betting licences. London-headquartered Deadheat has held both licences since January 2015.

The regulator noted the suspected failures were “key considerations” in its decision to suspend these licences.

“The review and consequent suspension follow concerns that activities have been carried out in a manner which is inconsistent with the licensing objectives, not in accordance with conditions of their licence and that the licensee may be unsuitable to carry on the licensed activities,” the commission said.

“We have made it clear to the operator that during the suspension, we expect it to focus on treating consumers fairly and keeping them fully informed of any developments which impact them.”

James Grassi and Antony Komui are listed as company directors at Companies House, and both have been in their roles since April 2012. Christos Symeon also started out as a director at the same time but resigned in August 2019.

Gambling Commission continues clampdown on rule-breakers

Deadheat is the latest operator to have been targeted by the commission. The regulator has made a series of announcements regarding suspension and fines in recent weeks.

Days ago, Videoslots was fined £650,000 for breaching several regulations AML and social responsibility. NetBet was also ordered to pay £650,000 earlier in November, again due to AML and social responsibility failings

Elsewhere, the commission suspended Spribe OÜ’s software licence in October for failing to comply with hosting requirements. The commission said this was due to “serious” non-compliance. At the time the supplier said it was applying for the relevant hosting licence immediately and expected to be back up and running within a few weeks.

The new voluntary code is not legislation and will not be legally binding for prize draws and competitions (PDCs) operators. It will also not replace existing regulations on issues such as consumer law, advertising and data protection.

In June, the government pledged to publish the code before the end of the current year. This was despite calls from some industry stakeholders, including the UK’s Lotteries Council, for the sector to be regulated. PDCs do not require a licence under the Gambling Act 2005, due to a free entry route option being offered.

There was some speculation that the Gambling Commission could oversee implementation of the code. However, the DCMS confirmed that it will assume responsibility for the code, including carrying out periodical reviews of its effectiveness.

PDC operators that want to sign up must implement the code within six months of it being published. The code was officially released on 20 November, meaning operators have until 20 May next year to adhere to guidance.

“All operator signatories agree to act in good faith in relation to the measures set out,” it said. “Other relevant signatories who are not operators but connected to the sector, such as web developers, agree to promote compliance with this code to the best of their abilities.”

Player protections a key part of voluntary code

Going into detail as to what the code sets out, a primary focus of the guidance is protection for players. It includes points for operators to follow to ensure they are effectively protecting people from potential harm.

These include only allowing users aged 18 and over to participate in PDCs. Operators should also monitor players’ behaviour for signs of harm and properly signpost users to approved help when harm is identified.

Players should have the option to set monthly spend limits – as low as £0 – while operators can also enforce their own spending limits on users. Credit card spending is permitted in some cases but up to a maximum of £250 per player each month. However, credit cards should not be allowed for instant win games.

Also specific to instant win draws, paid and free entry routes must be equivalent in terms of chance of winning. Operators should display clear information about how free entries work and ensure these draws not make up the majority of their total draws.

Users should be allowed to suspend their account for minimum of six months, a period in which they should not be sent any marketing messages. In addition, there must be a clear complaints process and dispute resolution for players to follows.

Additional market guidance comes with operators to comply with existing advertising codes, including both CAP and BCAP. PDC operators must also ensure their marketing is socially responsible and not target players under 18.

Transparency over prize draws

The code also emphasises the need for transparency with all prize draw and competitions in the UK. This includes operators setting out how each draw works and, where possible, the chance of winning.

Operators were also advised to ensure the prize allocation is fair and independently verified. There is, however, an exception for when a computer or random audited mechanism is used in the draw.

Focusing on the free entry route, operators should ensure this is clearly shown before players opt for a paid entry. The free route method must be no more costly or less convenient than paid entry and allow enough time for people to use it.

As for prize delivery, operators should commit to giving the prize advertised or a fair cash alternative. They must not reduce the prize value or cancel or modify draws due to low ticket sales.

In addition, if a donation is made to charity as part of the draw, operators should detail the amount, frequency and how that is calculated.

Operators should take accountability

The final part of the code refers to accountability. This include operators monitoring and reviewing compliance with the code and acting to fix issues, as well as ensuring that any third-party partners also abide by the code.

Operators will be encouraged to share best practices across the sector, including player protection and transparency. In addition, operators should publish on their websites the measures they have in place around these areas.

Finally, operators will be urged to work with the DCMS going forward after implementing the code. This, the DCMS said, will help amend, develop and evolve the code as time goes on.

Early support for the voluntary code

Despite having only just been published, the code has secured signatories from across the market. Among those to have backed the code are Omaze, Daymade, BOTB and Dream Car Giveaways, which was recently acquired by Jumbo Interactive.

Also signing on as a signatory was Elite Competitions, which has been running prize draws since 2016. Elite CEO Alex Beckett described it as a “major milestone” and said it will bring “complete confidence” to players.

“For the first time, prize draw operators have come together to set clear, consistent standards that protect players and build trust,” Beckett said. “By working closely and collaboratively with the DCMS, we have put transparency, fairness and integrity at the centre of how this sector moves forward.

“Players deserve complete confidence in how our draws are run, prizes are fulfilled and what safeguards exist to protect them. This new code gives them exactly that. Its clear rules mean players can check that the companies they play with are trustworthy.

“The code ensures they can take part in online prize draw competitions knowing that operators are being held to the same stringent standards.”

Lotteries Council repeats call for regulation

However, the Lotteries Council was not as welcoming of the code in its response. Chair George Collins repeated calls for the PDC sector be regulated and urged the government to reconsider its stance.

“Free prize draws continue to operate with no meaningful oversight, while society lotteries face strict limits, including a maximum prize of £500,000,” he said. “At the same time, commercial prize draws are still permitted to offer multi-million pound jackpots that were intended to be reserved for the National Lottery.

“This ongoing disparity undermines fair competition and threatens the revenue that charity lotteries and the National Lottery provide to good causes. We urge the government to monitor compliance with the code closely and to take further action to ensure a fair and consistent regulatory framework.”

Videoslots, which runs Videoslots.co.uk, MrVegas.com and Megariches.com, will make the payment in lieu of a £2 million financial penalty. It was also issued with a formal warning and ordered to undergo a third-party audit to ensure it is effectively implementing AML and safer gambling policies.

The commission said failings were identified for the period from October 2019 through to February 2022. Videoslots was ruled to not have complied with certain Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP).

These include paragraph three of licence condition 12.1.1, which says licensees must ensure money laundering policies and procedures are implemented effectively. These should also be reviewed and revised appropriately to ensure that they remain effective.

Videoslots was also found to be in breach of paragraphs 1a, 1b and 2 of Social Responsibility Code Provision (SRCP) 3.4.1. These require licensees to identify and interact with customers to minimise the risk of gambling harms.

“Social responsibility failures stemmed primarily from a reliance on systems that did not effectively monitor customer activity to identify harm or potential harm associated with gambling,” the regulator said.

“The Commission’s investigation determined that although the operator’s monitoring systems automatically set a monthly deposit limit for customers, that limit ran across a calendar month and did not include the customer’s initial deposit.”

Videoslots users lost thousands despite deposit limits

Setting out some of the issues identified at Videoslots, the commission flagged one user who lost £5,000 in a month. This was despite the same player having in place a £3,000 monthly deposit limit.

Another customer lost £5,000 in less than 24 hours despite a £3,000 monthly deposit limit, while a further customer lost £7,500 over 18 days despite a £2,000 monthly deposit limit.

The commission also raised concerns over the monitoring systems deployed by Videoslots. It said these did not effectively identify customers who were potentially at risk of gambling harm. One player did not receive interaction from the operator despite losing £6,550 in three active days across a two-month period.

‘Gaps’ in Videoslots’ AML and countering terrorist financing

Meanwhile, the regulator found issues with Videoslots’ AML/Countering Terrorist Financing (CTF) policies and procedures. These included record management omissions and an over-reliance on an algorithm to identify and monitor customer behaviours, which the regulator said appeared “ineffective” in some instances when tested.

One example was a customer who demonstrated a high level of depositing and gambling activity over a 16-day period. The user funded their account with digital pre-payment vouchers, totalling in excess of £75,000. After gambling, proceeds were transferred to four different bank accounts, while the same customer was found on occasion to be accessing their account from outside Britain.

The commission said despite these high-risk factors, the user’s automated AML risk score did not trigger the threshold for Videoslots to request source of funds information in a timely manner. This led to “unacceptable” delays in an account review and an absence of “effective customer due diligence and effective oversight”.

“One of the key failures was that the automated scoring system in place at the time did not identify the activity as high risk,” the commission said. “There was a presumption that the activity was funded from recycled winnings without any supporting evidence to explain why the customer was adopting a complex and unnecessary deposit and withdrawal pattern.”

In another case, a player’s risk profile was not appropriately escalated despite high deposit and withdrawals during a certain month. According to the commission, Videoslots relied on the fact the player had significant wins and assumed the account was funded from recycled winnings. This was “without sufficient scrutiny or any acceptable form of interaction” to validate this assumption.

Commission updates open-loop payment systems advice

Commenting on the case, John Pierce, director of enforcement at the commission, criticised the over-reliance on ineffective systems. He said controls were not applied to the standards expected by the regulator.

“The investigation identified a serious example where pre-paid digital vouchers had been used for gambling without effective oversight and early intervention,” he said. “The over-reliance on an algorithm to monitor risk meant that the customer was able to carry out a high volume of deposits and transfer the proceeds of gambling to multiple different destination accounts with insufficient and timely checks or robust source of funds verification taking place.”

Pierce also flagged the acceptance of digital vouchers as a method of payment. He said this requires “robust controls” from a safer gambling perspective, particularly where it is possible to purchase digital vouchers using credit or crypto via third-party websites

“Open-loop payment systems are high risk in nature because they could enable anonymous deposits and make it harder to trace funds,” he said. “In this case, the licensee failed to implement timely customer interactions and did not conduct enhanced customer due diligence until the customer had reached significant spend thresholds. Such failings are unacceptable.

“Operators must review how open-loop payment systems such as prepaid digital vouchers are managed in a gambling environment. This is because they are high risk and present operational challenges in terms of effective monitoring.

“While our position on the use of open loop payment systems has not changed, we have updated our risk information to reflect our concerns about digital vouchers.”

Another financial penalty for Videoslots

This marked the second large financial penalty for Videoslots in 2025. In April, it was ordered to pay SEK12 million ($1.3 million) by Sweden’s Spelinspektionen for failing to counteract excessive gambling.

Videoslots employs an automated system to monitor bettors’ behaviour, which triggers when certain risk indicators are met. It also prevents users from making further deposits when certain thresholds have been reached. However, Spelinspektionen ruled 12 players were gambling excessively and Videoslots’ attempts to halt such activities were insufficient.

Meanwhile, in Great Britain, the Gambling Commission has been clamping down on other operators that have breached regulations. These include NetBet, which was ordered to pay £650,000 earlier in November, also due to AML and social responsibility failings.

Elsewhere, Spribe OÜ’s software licence was suspended for failing to comply with hosting requirements. The commission said this was necessary on “grounds of suitability” due to “serious” non-compliance. In addition, the regulator suspended the operating licence of VGC Leeds Limited, which operates the Victoria Gate Casino land-based venue in Leeds, England.

The campaign is crammed with evocative imagery: coin-pushers on sea promenades, bookies wedged between the chip shop and the newsagent, fruit machines with glowing buttons that evoke the warm memory of holidays. The Sun’s 8.7 million daily readers are told this is not actually about taxation, but an attack on “our way of life”. 

It is safe to say that what began as a technical fiscal recalibration has become a noisy public brawl about British culture, high-street decline and, not least, the right to personal choice and a harmless flutter. 

As Matt Chapman, The Sun’s racing columnist, writes: “By slamming the betting industry government will indirectly be telling you how you can – or in this case can’t – spend your money.” 

Farage enters culture war 

For a long time, arguments over gambling regulations and taxation have been contained among think-tanks, industry consultants and the occasional treasury committee hearing. But now the Labour government’s plan to overhaul gambling duties and increase taxes on remote gambling duties – with proposals reaching as high as 50% of gross gaming revenue (GGR) – is drawing strong reactions. 

Part harm-reduction exercise, part revenue-raising manoeuvre has collided with national nostalgia and The Sun, never shy about riding a political wave – as seen in its successful pro-Brexit campaigning in the run-up to the 2016 referendum – is very much pushing the debate. 

Protecting high-street livelihoods

The newspaper has said its campaign is a defence of punters and high-street livelihoods. This is an argument in line with that of gambling industry bodies such as the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) who have warned of job losses of up to 40,000 and a £3 billion blow to the economy if the proposed tax hikes come into force. The sector has also been extremely vocal about high-street bookmakers facing an existential threat if a higher Remote Gaming Duty is enforced.

The Sun’s ‘Save our Bets’ activism has immediately attracted support from the right of the political spectrum, most notably from Nigel Farage, whose Reform UK party is currently the most popular party in the UK. More than a third of voters have said they would vote Reform UK if there were elections today, according to polling data.  

Farage’s constituency of Clacton-on-Sea in Essex is a seaside town that very much thrives on summer tourism – ripe with bingo halls, slot machines and gambling opportunities that play an integral part of the town’s entertainment offerings. Farage has called Labour’s tax plans an assault on British culture. He believes a betting tax hike will do nothing to help problem gamblers. 

Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch has also spoken out against Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ plans designed to help fill a financial black hole. Badenoch accuses Labour’s “fun police” of taking a “nanny state approach” to betting, which she said could kill off the industry. 

Sun’s campaign evokes mixed feelings 

But the campaign has not been received entirely well by some within the gambling industry. “I’m uneasy about how the debate has been positioned,” says Dan Waugh of Regulus Partners, one of the sector’s most respected analysts. “This childish idea that gambling is a battle between good and evil has taken hold.”  

But Farage’s involvement, he concedes, is legitimate – he leads the most popular party in the polls after all. And as Waugh points out: “The Liberal Democrats and the Greens, for example, have developed positions that are explicitly anti-gambling. It would be worrying if none of the political parties were prepared to stand up for people who enjoy betting, bingo and horse racing.” 

Waugh does not approve of the spectacle into which policy has been conscripted. “The issues are complex,” he says. “We’re not helped by the noise.” With The Sun’s campaign and the public debate growing louder, the situation could perhaps offer a chance to improve transparency and push for more evidence-based policy. It may also give the gambling industry an opening to publicly challenge the government’s tax proposals. 

Operator support for Sun’s ‘Save our Bets’

Neal Luke, a gambling compliance consultant, says the issue is twofold. While the Gambling Commission is investing heavily in data and research, most people will never read it. What matters is how that information shapes regulation – and how clearly the public can understand what’s been considered. 

“The public will only see headlines. It’s about making sure they know what’s been considered, in plain English, from a neutral place – not a political one.” Asked what a neutral source would look like, Luke argues that today’s opinions are shaped by short-form online content, making balanced communication more important than ever. 

Among operators there is a positive acceptance of The Sun’s war on the government’s plans and of Nigel Farage’s outbursts. For Betfred’s Head of Communications Mark Pearson, the message should be about one thing only. 

“For me this is not about media framing but getting the message across that the country’s betting shops are already in a very, very fragile position. Any hit on the high street is going to close betting shops with job losses and less money going to racing and the treasury. Once betting shops close, they are not coming back,” Pearson says.  

A spokesperson for Flutter UK&I also backs the media campaign. Putting taxes up for any business is not a free hit; it has consequences, he stresses. “It’s great to see The Sun’s ‘Save Our Bets’ campaign as it gives a voice to the customer – and customers have been overlooked in the debate driven by anti-gambling groups so far this year.” 

Think tanks push back industry claims 

The “anti-gambling groups” that Flutter UK&I refers to are primarily the think tanks The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and Social Market Foundation. Both are pushing hard for a higher gambling tax. And both are heavily supported by several influential political voices, such as former Labour prime minister and chancellor Gordon Brown, who believes that the tax hike could help end child poverty in the UK, making the tax hike not merely a regulatory tool but a moral undertaking.  

“We tax cigarettes at 80%, we tax alcohol at 70%, but the online gambling tax is 21%. So there’s a big case for change. I think the gambling companies could well afford to pay a tax – and I want that money to go to child poverty,” he told Sky News. 

Dan Waugh of Regulus Partners worries that the entire debate, including the industry’s approach, has lost its anchor in evidence. And, in the end, a campaign led by a tabloid newspaper may not make things clearer. “Public debate is chaotic,” he says. “Statistics are misused across the board.” 

The most talked-about levy 

Grainne Hurst, the BGC’s CEO, attended the Reform UK conference earlier this year and was photographed alongside Farage, who in spite of popularity remains a divisive political figure. 

“It was a pleasure to lead the Betting and Gaming Council team at the Reform UK Conference this week. We had constructive discussions with senior figures in the party about the importance of a strong, sustainable and well-regulated betting and gaming sector,” Hurst wrote in a post on her LinkedIn page.  

Explaining the reason for her presence she added: “I will always stand up for our industry – one that supports 109,000 jobs, generates £6.8 billion for the economy, contributes £4 billion in tax and serves the millions of people who enjoy a bet responsibly.” 

‘Necessary lobbying’ for the sector

Waugh sees Grainne Hurst’s presence at Reform UK´s conference as a necessary part of the trade body’s lobbying efforts. “Operators should engage with a wide range of stakeholders, in my view. If anything, the industry has been far too passive in recent years in the face of an orchestrated campaign to close it down.” 

Others, who prefer not to speak on record, are less cheerful, noting that any perception of ideological capture could backfire while Labour is weighing its final tax design. What happens next will depend on whether Chancellor Rachel Reeves allows public clamour to overshadow the data on her desk.  

The government knows the gambling sector billions in tax revenue; it also knows online gambling has grown rapidly and that harms persist. It must weigh those realities against the possibility of shuttered shops, reduced racing revenue and a migration to offshore operators. 

For now, the noise grows as The Sun has succeeded in making gambling tax the most talked-about levy in Britain. Whether this results in better policy in the eyes of the industry – or simply more polarisation – remains to be seen. 

A cross-industry campaign that has been running for several years, Safer Gambling Week focuses on promoting safe gambling behaviour among players. This includes highlighting the various tools available to consumers in European markets.

The 2025 campaign runs from 17-23 November, with the hashtags #SGWeek #SGWeek25. It will again be organised by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), with support from local organisations in participating countries.

What are operators doing this year?

Flutter Entertainment has announced it will run a series of activities during the week. This includes hosting a town hall, where brand CEOs will share best practices and insights on how their teams are advancing responsible gambling goals. This forms part of the group’s Play Well responsible gambling initiative.

Flutter will also run a lived experience panel with EPIC Global Solutions, demonstrating to staff how education drives progress in the sector.

Meanwhile, a Central & Eastern Europe Play Well Day will share progress across the region to facilitate meaningful development. In addition, sustainability reporting manager Ryan Heslop will join an EGBA webinar on how to turn data into action when measuring what works in player protection.

“Collaboration is how we make meaningful progress – both within Flutter and across the industry – and this week is an important moment for it,” Flutter said in a statement on Monday.

Meanwhile, Merkur Casino UK said it would share key messages that encourage informed, balanced play across the operator.

Is AI the future of safer gambling?

Playtech has used Safer Gambling Week 2025 to speak about its work with AI and responsible gambling. In a LinkedIn post, Playtech said AI remained “central” to advancing player protection, with machine learning enabling early detection by analysing behavioural patterns across millions of data points, identifying risk before harm occurs.

However, Playtech said this must be supported by wider collaboration across the industry, and projects such as Safer Gambling Week help champion this approach.

“We’re continuing to explore generative AI to deliver personalised support at scale, real-time insights and adaptive messaging that meet individual player needs while preserving human empathy,” Playtech said.

“But technology alone isn’t enough. Safer gambling requires collaboration, transparency and a shared commitment to measurable outcomes. Together, we can build an ecosystem that protects the vulnerable and remains commercially sustainable for the long term.”

Seeking to better record Safer Gambling Week 2024

Organisers have utilised the campaign to improve player uptake of safer gambling tools. Last year in the UK and Ireland, over 1.5 million unique accounts used a safer gambling tool throughout the week, up 22% year-on-year. Deposit limits also climbed 14%, with nearly half set for the first time.

In addition, the 2024 programme set new social media records. Last year’s campaign generated over 60 million impressions across platforms including X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

“The week sees the whole industry coming together to further promote safer gambling for the millions of people who enjoy a regular flutter,” Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst said. “It’s a time to highlight all the tools available so that customers can stay in control. And to signpost help and advice to those who need it.”

Over the years, the campaign has also drawn support from the government and the British Gambling Commission. This year the regulator noted that player protection tools were progressing, but warned the sector must ensure these measures are “widely promoted”.

“Collaboration and evidence-based action remain central to making gambling in Great Britain fairer, safer and crime-free.” Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes said in a statement. “Safer Gambling Week is an important moment for the industry to demonstrate its commitment to protecting customers and promoting responsible play.”

Baroness Twycross, Under-Secretary of State for DCMS reiterated the government’s committment to “reducing harmful gambling and protecting those at risk”.

“We welcome the contribution that Safer Gambling Week makes. It provides a good opportunity to highlight the tools and support that is available to people who may need it,” she added.

Carried out in partnership with IFF Research, the report considered neurodivergent peoples’ needs in terms of gambling harm. It focused on the support currently available to them and how this can be improved to improve the quality of help.

This included how neurodivergent people often face barriers to access support and being unaware of specialist treatment available to them. It also flagged how stigma and fear of judgment discourage people from seeking help for gambling-related harm.

GambleAware urges improved neurodiversity focus

Among the key recommendations from the new report was to build a neurodiversity-aware gambling industry workforce. GambleAware said operators should consider the needs of neurodivergent individuals when developing harm minimisation and protection measures.

The charity also called for the embedding awareness of neurodivergent characteristics in support access, risk assessment, support and treatment approaches. This should include making screening for neurodivergent characteristics, and adapted support plans, a required part of assessments.

Other key recommendations were to adopt a peer-led and co-produced support as standard. The charity said this should include developing structured peer support programmes led by trained neurodivergent mentors or facilitators.

On top of this, GambleAware called for strengthened data collection and monitoring for support and treatment improvements. In addition, it called for more funding to improve understanding on what works and build a movement to put this knowledge into practice.

Alongside these conclusions, the report set out six key principles on which gambling support and treatment approaches should be based to provide the best help for service users with neurodivergence.

These included understanding and adapting to the diversity of communication needs that neurodivergent people have; ensuring clarity and simplicity in communications, as well as providing support to promote the autonomy and independence of neurodivergent users.

Other principles were to provide support in environments that consider the sensory needs of people with neurodivergence. GambleAware also urged promoting the use of self-directed approaches such as self-help tools and to ensure staff are trained in neurodiversity awareness and different communication methods.

Increased likelihood of gambling harms

The report follows earlier GambleAware research that highlighted an increased likelihood of neurodivergent people experiencing gambling harms. Published in March, the report said people with conditions such as ADHD or autism may use gambling as a “coping mechanism”, despite not gambling more than those who are neurotypical.

“Characteristics like difficulty navigating social interactions, impulsivity, hyperfocus, preference for order and a need for stimulation can drive gambling in neurodivergent people,” the latest report said: “Gambling may also help neurodivergent people experiencing social isolation to cope with its effects.

“However, many of the reasons why neurodivergent people gamble in the first place can also serve as drivers of gambling harm for those who experience it. This can result in negative consequences including financial strain, relationship breakdowns, negative impacts on health and wellbeing and setbacks in employment or education.”

New resources to support neurodivergent people

GambleAware has made available new resources to further support neurodivergent users.

These, it said, were designed to enable therapists and practitioners to improve the support they provide for clients with gambling harms and neurodivergence. GambleAware said this would help ensure those clients can get the tailored support they need.

Resources include training materials, toolkits and case studies designed to build confidence, reduce barriers and promote inclusive, effective support. They were developed from a mix of research evidence, insights from lived experience and expert guidance.

“The new report highlights the complex link between neurodivergence and gambling,” said GambleAware CEO Anna Hargrave. “Characteristics of neurodivergence like impulsivity, hyperfocus, social difficulties and a need for stimulation drive gambling behaviour and increase harms, while stigma, shame and lack of tailored support further isolate neurodivergent people and make it harder for them to seek help.

“The resources we have produced are designed to support therapists and practitioners working with clients who experience both gambling harms and neurodivergence. They address a critical evidence gap in understanding how gambling harms affect neurodivergent people and how treatment can be tailored most effectively to ensure it is as effective as possible.”

Platinum was fined £10 million ($13.1 million) in October for “serious” failings related to anti-money laundering and social responsibility. It was also handed a formal warning and ordered to undergo a third-party audit over the matter.

While the failings were primarily social responsibility issues specific to British regulation, certain AML systems and controls failings from 2023 were flagged as part of the same investigation.

In addition to its British licence, Platinum holds a licence in Gibraltar. As such, the Gibraltar regulator has considered its position, publishing a statement over the matter.

It said there was no specific evidence of money laundering or criminal spend and that there was “very limited financial benefit” to Platinum from the cases. However, it also flagged a “lack of adequate due diligence” for deposit levels and other failures of due diligence and approach to risk.

Examples flagged by the British regulator included failing to identify a user who exceeded their £2,500 loss limit within 16 minutes of registering their account as being at risk of potential harm. Another user staked £73,000 and lost £4,100 in 23 days without any interaction from Platinum.

Meanwhile, Platinum’s customer interaction system failed to identify a player as at risk of harm. This was despite the user losing £5,000 within 24 hours of registration, then over £16,000 in less than three months.

No further action against Platinum in Gibraltar

Despite raising concerns over Platinum’s conduct, the Gibraltar regulator elected not to pursue any further financial penalty.

Setting out its reasoning, the regulator noted the historical nature of the failings, which date back to 2023. It also acknowledged the “significant” value of the fine already issued by the British regulator.

In addition, the Gibraltar commission said Platinum’s systems and controls in relation to the Gibraltar regulatory regime have been improved. It said they are considered “satisfactory”, subject to third-party review in respect of the British regulator’s requirements.

However, given the circumstances of the case, the Gibraltar regulator saw it appropriate to issue a formal caution to Platinum.

“On balance, the licence holder is considered fit and proper to hold a Gibraltar licence given the documented improvements it has made to its systems, controls and approach to risk over time,” the commission said.

“Licence holders that are dual licensed are reminded they are expected to comply with the regime not only in Gibraltar but also of other relevant jurisdictions in which they operate.

“The fact that a formal caution has been issued will be taken into consideration if other matters come to light in the future.”

The £10 million fine was the second time Platinum has faced a financial penalty in recent years. In March 2023, it was slapped with a fine of £2.9 million, again for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures. At the same time, Kindred’s 32Red brand was fined £4.2 million for similar issues.

Problem gambling data was among several key statistics included in the regulator’s “Young People and Gambling 2025” report. Produced by Ipsos, the report is based on data collected from 3,666 pupils within the 11-17 age group in Britain.

Key findings included the problem gambling rate among those young people who responded to the questionnaire. Those in this category said they had undertaken four or more behaviours or activities in a youth-adapted problem gambling screen.

Some 1.2% of respondents fell into the problem gambling category, which the commission said was “statistically stable” with last year’s rate of 1.5%. Those who scored two or three were seen as “at risk”, with 2.2% in this category. A further 27% scored one or zero and were classed as not experiencing problems with gambling.

Findings were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition – Multiple Response Juvenile (DSM-IV-MR-J) screen. This psychometric tool is used to give young people a score for gambling harms similar to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PSGI).

DSM-IV-MR-J features nine items to assess if those who gamble are defined as experiencing problems. Among these are thinking about or planning to gamble, using gambling to escape problems, and gambling leading to arguments with family or friends.

More youngsters spending their own money on gambling

Other stand-out findings from the report include that 49% of pupils surveyed participated in gambling in some form during the past 12 months. Of those who gambled, 30% spent their own money, a slight increase from 27% in the previous year.

The reason for this increase, the commission said, was primarily a rise in unregulated gambling. Some 18% of young people who gambled did so via an unregulated vertical, a rise from 15% in 2024.

The most popular form of gambling young people spent their own money on was either legal or did not feature age-restricted products. Some 21% played arcade gaming machines such as penny pushers, 14% bet with friends or family, while 5% played cards for money with friends or family.

It was also noted that 23% of respondents spent their own money on regulated gambling, including arcade gaming machines. When these machines were removed, the rate fell to 6%, in line with last year.

Social media influencers promoting gambling

The report also flagged lasting concerns over the impact of social media advertising on young peoples’ gambling habits.

Some 49% said they saw gambling adverts on social media at least once a week, while 47% reported seeing ads within apps. Boys were seemingly most exposed, with 53% reporting seeing ads on YouTube, compared to 31% of girls.

Also on social media, the commission raised the issue of influencers. Of those surveyed, 31% who saw gambling content on social media reported influencers who advertised such content.

As to why young people choose to gamble, 78% who used their own money said they did so as they saw gambling as a “fun” activity. Some 36% gambled to win something, even if it was not a big prize, while 34% wanted to win money.

In terms of other impact on the behaviour of young people, 29% said they had seen family members they live with gamble. Of this group, 7% indicated it had resulted in arguments or tension at home. However, 9% said gambling by a family member helped to pay for things like holidays.

Commission commits to improved protection

Commenting on the report, Tim Miller, executive director of research and policy for the Gambling Commission, played down the increase in gambling activity among young people.

He said that rather than children being encouraged or allowed to gamble driving the rise, it was higher participation in gambling that is either legal or does not require regulation, such as private betting between friends.

“Even with that increased participation, the percentage of those scoring four or more on the youth-adapted problem gambling screen has not increased but has moved from 1.5% last year to 1.2% this year, which is classed as statistically stable,” he said.

However, Miller said the commission would use the latest dataset to consider how the regulator can further improve protection measures for young people in Britain.

“Where it relates to regulated forms of gambling, we use the data to continuously keep under review and, where needed, strengthen the suite of protections for young people that we require gambling companies to have in place,” he said.

Data from the Gambling Commission on Wednesday reported GGY was up 8% from £1.32 billion in Q3 2024 but 5% behind £1.49 billion in Q2 of this year.

Total bets and spins for the quarter increased 3% year-on-year to 26.1 billion. However, the commission noted a 7% decline in the average monthly active accounts for the three-month period.

Online slots remain king although monthly actives drop

Breaking down the market, online slots remained the main source of GGY by some distance in Q3. Total GGY for the segment was £747 million, marginally ahead of the existing record – £745 million – in Q2 and 9% higher than last year.

Total spins were up 4% year-on-year, and on par with Q2’s record, at 24.4 billion. However, average monthly active accounts fell 0.4% from last year to 4.4 million per month.

Average session times were slightly shorter than the previous year at 16 minutes. The number of slot sessions over an hour dropped 15% to 8.6 million, although total sessions were 13% higher at 188.8 million for Q2.

Growth within the sector came despite the introduction of new measures for online slots in Britain. Refreshed online slot stake limits came in at the start of Q2, with players aged 25 or over now only able to wager a maximum of £5 per spin. Players below the age of 25 face a lower limit of £2 per spin.

Improvement in real event betting GGY

Elsewhere, the real event betting segment recovered from a year-on-year decline during Q2 to report growth. GGY for this sector increased 12% to £508 million, although this was 11% less than Q2.

The total number of real event bets was down 3% from last year, while the average monthly active accounts dropped 14%.

Meanwhile, other online gaming GGY, including table games, dipped 4% from Q2 of 2024 to £141 million. Internet poker GGY fell 15% to £11 million, while virtual betting GGY was down 17% to £8 million.

A further £4 million of GGY came from esports betting, a drop of 5%, although GGY from other activities climbed 35% to £2 million.

Betting shop GGY drops 5% in Q3

Turning to the land-based sector, betting premises GGY for the quarter was 5% lower at £508 million. Bets and spins in this segment were also down 2% year-on-year to 3.1 billion.

Machines again generated the most GGY at £272 million, although this was 3% less than the previous year. Over-the-counter GGY dropped 10% to £137 million, but self-service betting terminal GGY climbed 14% to £115 million.

Focusing on machines, sessions total dipped 1% to 22 million but the number of sessions that lasted more than an hour increased 4% to 575,063.

“That is a challenge that probably didn’t really exist a few years ago, or not at this level,” he said during his “CEO Briefing 2025” speech this week. “What I thought was a five-year-away problem, perhaps a year or two ago, I think is now an 18-months-to-two-years challenge.”

Rhodes addressed several issues facing both the regulator and the market in general, with crypto gambling among the areas of focus for the commission.

He said growth in cryptocurrency use among younger demographics has led to a “pressure building” within the system. Rhodes added that in years to come, a “significant cohort” of consumers will use crypto regularly as this is what they will have become accustomed to.

As to the impact on gambling, Rhodes said it could serve as a demographic shift, whereby these consumers “have no place in legitimate industry because of the currency they use”. As such, he said action needs to be taken now to prevent such issues in the future.

No plans for Gambling Commission to license crypto

Despite such concerns, Rhodes stopped short of suggesting licences could soon be issued for crypto-based gambling. He said the government must first take steps to regulate such activity, with the commission’s role to enforce laws being set in Parliament.  

“This is going to have to be government-level discussion,” he said. “It is a government-level decision because once you open that door, you cannot close it.

“It brings questions around are you considering crypto as a source of wealth? Are you considering that as a source of funds? What conditions would you put in place? What are the risks and how do we manage that?

“But the reality is, and this growth in those demographics means, I don’t think governments can ignore that pattern. And it’s good to see the Financial Conduct Authority are doing a lot of work in looking at how we might create a regime for this.”

Rhodes flags concerns over funding for commission

Rhodes also used the speech to set out other issues for the regulator moving forward. These included a concern over funding for the commission and an overdue fees review.

The commission is funded solely by fees and does not receive any taxpayer funds. However, its fees are not linked to inflation or uprating, meaning the funds agreed during the last review may not be in line with current spending requirements.

A review is due every five to seven years and was scheduled to take place in 2024, in line with the far-reaching white paper. However, with this having been pushed to the end of 2025, Rhodes has aired his concerns over the funding of certain measures in the interim period. He warned that the regulator’s funds could be exhausted by mid-2026.

“This does mean the extra investments we have made in areas like illegal gambling, criminal investigations and data capabilities, among other areas, are not funded beyond the middle of next year, as they have been funded from our excess reserves built up in 2021-22, which will now be exhausted,” he said.

“Just as there is a very active debate about taxation and the sector at the moment, there is also a very active debate about the role of regulators and ‘arm’s length bodies’ and to what extent we stand between you and growth and to what extent we ensure a level playing field, which will no doubt be a consideration for the government as it considers the commission’s future programme,” Rhodes told sector representatives.

“Our programme over the next year is to continue this work as much as we possibly can, while we await an outcome from the pending fees review.”

Gambling Commission remains committed to tackling illegal gambling

Despite these concerns, Rhodes was steadfast in his praise of the regulator. He set out the commission’s ongoing work to counter illegal gambling in the UK and the work the regulator has done to block unlicensed operators.

During the financial year-to-date, the commission has issued 480 cease-and-desist notices to advertisers and operators. It has also reported 188,297 URLs to various search engines and seen 104,192 URLs removed as a result.

Meanwhile, some 659 websites were referred to search engines for delisting. In addition, the commission has disrupted 504 websites so that they have either been taken down or geo-blocked in the UK.

“We’ve been extremely active in this space and in talking to a huge number of regulators around the world we haven’t found any that have invested in the way that we have,” Rhodes said.

“Nonetheless, for the avoidance of doubt, because every time I give a speech, there are people who will pore over it and feel the need to tweet about it, we have been extremely active in this space. But we know we don’t have coverage of all the risks that are out there.”

Ott will replace Alex Thursby, whose departure as non-executive chairman was confirmed by Rank in September. Thursby served in the role for six years and formally stepped down at Rank’s AGM in October.

Karen Whitworth has served as the interim chair since Thursby’s departure. She will switch back to her role as both senior independent director and audit chair when Ott assumes his new position.

Ott is currently a senior advisory partner at the UK arm of Bain & Company. He has worked at the business consulting and services company since 2006.

Ott has also been a founder, investor and board member for two private businesses. These include financial services company Funding Xchange and global fractional ownership business The Hideaways Clubs.

Prior to this, he was group strategy and M&A director at Barclays Bank. In addition, he spent time as a partner at McKinsey & Company and assistant vice president for US Bancorp.

“During a rigorous and wide-ranging selection process, John emerged as the stand-out candidate to become Rank’s chair,” interim chair Whitworth said.

“His wealth of experience in highly regulated industries, and advising and working with boards across the globe, will provide the group with the expertise and leadership that it requires as we embark on the next phase of our strategic journey.”

Widespread growth for Rank in Q1

Thursby’s exit from Rank coincided with the group publishing its results for Q1 of its 2025-26 financial year. These revealed a 9% year-on-year increase in revenue during the three-month period.

Net gaming revenue totalled £210.2 million ($275.9 million). Rank’s digital arm again saw the most growth. Revenue jumped 13% year-on-year to £61.6 million, with a 31% spike in Grosvenor digital revenue and a 9% rise within its Mecca online segment. In Spain, however, revenue fell 1% due to previously reported platform capacity issues.

At the time, CEO John O’Reilly set out his opinion on speculation on tax changes in the UK in the upcoming budget, saying Rank already pays its fair share of tax in the UK.

“Last year the group generated £44.6 million in profit, having paid HMRC and local authorities £188.0 million in taxes,” he said. “Rank Group, with its strong UK focus, is certainly paying its fair share.”

The committee made these recommendations in its report on the taxation of gambling in the UK on Friday. These follow an inquiry into proposed increases in gambling tax held in October and will inform the government on what route to take on gambling taxation, ahead of the 26 November autumn budget.

First, the committee said the government must take account of the different harms caused by different types of gambling. It said the Treasury must ensure Remote Gaming Duty and Machine Gaming Duty are always set at a higher rate than Gaming Duty.

“Different forms of gambling cause varying level of harm to individuals, families and society,” the report said. “We are not convinced that current Treasury policy on the taxation of gambling captures the varying extent of those harms.

“We are urging the government not to cave in to industry scaremongering and to tax online betting games at a rate that reflects the level of harm they inflict.”

Risks differ across gambling verticals

The report insisted current Treasury policy on gambling taxation did not “capture the varying extent of [the] harms” caused by online casinos.

“The government should sharpen the differentiation between physically present gambling related to horse racing or arcades, versus the online games that promote harmful, addictive, high frequency betting that bring no engagement with or benefit to life in our communities,” the report stated.

Stewart Kenny, a former industry executive who was co-founder of Paddy Power, was among those who contributed to the inquiry, calling for tax rates to be based on the level of harm associated with each vertical.

“If there is only one message that I get through to you, it is that betting on horse racing or betting on the next general election is less harmful than betting on fixed-odds betting terminals or online slots, mainly,” he said during the October panel.

“There are two ways of seeing whether a product is highly addictive: how quick is it between investment and result, and how quickly can you repeat the dose?”

Questions over black market impact

As for the black market, the committee’s report urged the government to look at new ways to address the issue. It called on the Treasury to review whether additional anti-avoidance measures were needed to stop players migrating.

“For too many people, the highly addictive and harmful nature of online betting games has seriously impacted their lives and the lives of those around them,” said Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the committee.

The report also considered the sector’s argument that raising UK gambling tax could lead to a rise in black market gambling where offers and odds won’t be impacted by the higher tax rates.

Within the report, the committee considered the Betting & Gaming Council’s own recent report, which warned that a tax hike could see up to £3.1 billion lost from the economy. However, the committee said that as the EY-produced filing was funded by the gambling industry, it could be considered biased.

It also noted a separate “Harm Reduction Journal” paper which concluded that taxation of gambling was “unlikely to significantly direct consumption and drive consumption to offshore markets”.

Kenny had also dismissed black market threats in his inquiry panel session. “When I campaigned for the gambling industry, I always used to talk about black markets and job losses,” he said. “We saw it again when the FOBT legislation was brought in: ‘Oh, this will close all the shops,’ but it didn’t. It is a bit of scaremongering.”

What has been said so far on the potential UK gambling tax hike?

The gambling tax discussion commenced in April when the Treasury launched a consultation considering a proposal for a single rate for all remote gambling. This would replace the current, three-banded tax rate system.

Then in August, the IPPR advised the government to increase remote gaming duty from 21% to 50% and machine games duty from 20% to 50% of operator profit, with both measures expected to raise an additional £3 billion ($4 billion) in tax revenue per year. 

Since then, over 100 Labour MPs have backed potential gambling tax reforms and suggestions to increase the rate to 50%. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has also said previously that the industry must pay its “fair share” of tax.

“I do think there’s a case for gambling firms paying more,” Reeves told ITV in September. “On a personal level, I’ve never bet in my life. They make an important contribution to the economy, but they should pay their fair share of taxes. We’ll make sure that happens.”

The combination will, on paper, create a €6.4 billion-revenue European champion, according to Banijay’s own pro forma figures. But the significance of the transaction lies less in its scale than in what it reveals about the industry’s direction of travel.  

“This deal represents a significant convergence of the media and gambling industries. It combines entertainment content with sports betting,” says Gabriele Stark-Lütke Schwienhorst, senior associate at CMS Germany.   

The deal, he says, also reflects the trend of vertical integration, whereby content producers leverage their media assets to boost customer engagement and stand out in highly competitive betting markets. 

It signals a shift towards cross-media ecosystems in the European gambling industry and a clear strategy for Tier 1 operators towards continued consolidation in heavily regulated European markets.

Banijay-Tipico’s combination proves entertainment, data and gaming are beginning to interact and integrated digital experiences could become more common.

Last week on Banijay’s Q3 earnings call, CEO François Riahi dismissed analyst suggestions the group could go all-in on gaming and look to wind down its media business. “The Tipico acquisition was a very major event for us and we stick to our strategy here for growth in gaming,” he told analysts.

“However, we also believe that we have very positive opportunities on the content side. So no, we don’t have any plans to sell this division.”

Banijay-Tipico: A strategic marriage 

Banijay’s €3 billion financing package will buy out CVC Capital Partners’ majority stake in Tipico, uniting two complementary businesses: Betclic, a digital specialist with leading positions in France, Portugal and Poland; and Tipico, a dominant omnichannel operator across Germany and Austria. The result is a combined force in six regulated markets, serving 6.5 million customers and operating over 1,200 betting shops. 

For Banijay the rationale is diversification. Long known for producing shows such as “Survivor” and “Big Brother”, the Paris-based group has been edging steadily into gaming. With Tipico, gaming becomes the majority of Banijay’s revenues.

Vaughan Lewis, a veteran gambling strategist, calls it a “transformational deal, creating a leading betting and gaming operator across key European countries, and one of the largest in the world”. The logic, he says, is “further evidence of the ‘local hero’ consolidation strategy, combining market-leading brands while benefiting from group economies of scale”. 

Risks and legal challenges 

The transaction’s stakeholders all emerge with distinct advantages. Betclic gains access to new markets in Germany and Austria, while Tipico inherits a continental platform and capital backing for expansion.

“Big tech synergies should drive better operating margins for the buyer group,” notes Paul Richardson, managing partner at Partis Capital. For CVC, the deal is a well-timed exit after a recent refinancing of Tipico. “This is a great result for them and shows it’s somewhat opportune versus planned.” 

For Banijay’s shareholders, the financial story is equally compelling. The company expects to generate around €100 million in annual synergies in the medium term, while raising profitability from 18.7% to 21.6%.

“Banijay’s gaming division doubles to become the majority of the group,” Lewis adds, suggesting that “there is potential for an IPO or spin-off of the gaming or media unit to unlock further value”. 

The Banijay-Tipico deal will impact the broader gaming landscape for the European sector, remarks Paul Richardson, as “it stops Flutter moving into Germany, as there is very little else to buy of scale in the market”. 

For all the enthusiasm, integration risks remain. Banijay will have to harmonise corporate governance across two highly regulated jurisdictions, reconcile technology stacks and manage cultural integration between a French tech-driven operator and a German retail-anchored one. As Stark-Lütke Schwienhorst points out, “aligning licensing and compliance could be complicated”, since Tipico operates under a German licence.  

And cross-border fiscal implications may also give rise to further legal issues for the Banijay-Tipico transaction, warns Stark-Lütke Schwienhorst. “Chief among these are regulatory and competition law issues, given that the deal is likely to be scrutinised under the EU Merger Regulation and potentially by national competition authorities.” 

Banijay will need to navigate Germany’s Joint Gambling Authority, one of Europe’s strictest regulators, as well as obtain approval from EU competition authorities. Completion, expected in mid-2026, hinges on those approvals — and on Banijay’s ability to integrate entities with very different operating cultures, experts point out. 

Consolidation will continue to drive the sector 

The Banijay-Tipico union is the latest chapter in an accelerating wave of European gambling consolidation – following on from Allwyn´s takeover of OPAP only a few weeks ago. Operators are racing to gain scale as taxes rise, margins narrow and regulation tightens across the continent. “Consolidation will continue to drive the sector, driven by margin pressure from regulation and operating costs,” says Richardson.  

The logic is simple: compliance costs and marketing restrictions are squeezing smaller firms, while established players look to spread fixed costs across wider revenue bases. As in other industries, bigger increasingly means safer. “Scale and resilience to regulatory shocks is key to long-term success,” Richardson observes. 

Lewis agrees, describing the Banijay move as a new template for consolidation across regulated European markets.

The shift, he argues, is away from chasing high-risk grey markets and towards mastering complex regulated ones. “This demonstrates that significant value creation is being driven by regulated markets,” he says. “Regulatory challenges create barriers to entry, which tends to increase the value and sustainability of the leading operators.” 

The French paradox 

That dynamic explains an irony not lost on observers: with Banijay’s gaming division and FDJ United’s acquisition of Kindred Group earlier this year, Europe’s two largest gaming empires are now based in France — a country with punishing tax rates and no legal online casino sector.  

“France’s market is indeed highly regulated and heavily taxed, yet certain operators demonstrate a sophisticated regulatory resilience,” says Stark-Lütke Schwienhorst. 

Their compliance expertise, financial strength and institutional relationships provide a competitive edge as other jurisdictions tighten controls. “Ironically, being forged in a tough market like France or Germany could become a strength when expanding across Europe,” he adds.

Lewis goes further. “France as a hub for Tier 1 operators despite regulatory challenges shows that domestic-based companies are proving operational excellence in challenging environments,” he notes. Any expansion of regulation of online casino in France could significantly grow the total potential market size, he points out.  

For investors, this resilience carries appeal. France’s high tax environment might deter weaker players, but for those that master it, it creates defensible, sustainable competitive advantage. The same logic underpins the position of the state-linked FDJ United, which completed its purchase of Kindred in 2024, adding Unibet’s pan-European presence to its lottery backbone. 

Continental realignment 

The broader picture is of a sector reorganising across the whole continent. The UK – once Europe’s undisputed iGaming powerhouse – is increasingly constrained by a tightening regulatory regime, rising tax burdens and curbs on cross-vertical marketing.

The Netherlands and Sweden are following suit. And last month Denmark announced new tightened rules regarding advertising. In contrast, continental European groups are quietly consolidating strength in markets with stable, albeit strict, regulatory frameworks. The sector is entering a phase of regulatory convergence and market cleansing, suggests Stark-Lütke Schwienhorst.  

“Smaller operators will struggle with rising taxes and compliance costs, leading to further consolidation. Larger, well-capitalised groups with diversified portfolios are best positioned to adapt. There is a good chance that the future European landscape will favour integrated entertainment ecosystems, not pure betting operators.” 

Banijay’s move follows a pattern seen before. Richardson compares it to Flutter’s acquisitions of Sisal and Snai. “A large multinational buying market leader in a local market. In both cases, the buyer had bought into an omnichannel operation and is now exposed to retail,” he says.

Lewis draws parallels with the Sky Betting & Gaming sale to The Stars Group, where CVC also exited.  “That was also CVC selling a market-leading position in a key country to a more diversified leader,” he notes. “FDJ and Kindred had some similarities too. So did the Allwyn/OPAP merger and the Intralot/Bally’s deal.”

Such comparisons underscore how Europe’s betting landscape is becoming a handful of regionally diversified conglomerates — Flutter, Entain, FDJ United, Banijay Gaming and Allwyn are among those.

The road ahead 

Analysts see the Banijay-Tipico deal as an early sign that additional similar deals are coming. 

“This is likely to be a trigger for further M&A across regulated markets,” predicts Lewis. “The industry remains fragmented and relatively immature. Scale is critical, as demonstrated by the €100 million synergies here.” 

Richardson foresees “other private-equity or former PE single-market operators like Lottomatica needing to buy international diversification at scale and get more ‘baskets for their eggs’”.  

Stark-Lütke Schwienhorst, meanwhile, expects a wave of smaller acquisitions: “We can expect continued consolidation, especially targeting small- to mid-sized operators in Europe.”

Acquisitions in RegTech and FinTech will likely also rise, driven by the need to automate compliance and improve efficiency. The broader trend also points toward media-gaming convergence where entertainment companies seek audience monetisation through gaming and betting firms seek audience engagement through content, Stark-Lütke Schwienhorst points out. 

The consensus among experts is that the next phase of European gaming growth will not come from regulatory arbitrage or from unregulated grey zones, but from disciplined execution in challenging jurisdictions.  

Therefore, future growth in Europe’s iGaming industry won’t come from taking advantage of loopholes or operating in loosely regulated markets, but instead from doing business well in countries with strict rules. 

“Operators that thrive under strict regimes such as Germany or France develop advanced compliance frameworks, responsible gambling systems and scalable tech infrastructures,” says Stark-Lütke Schwienhorst. “These conditions foster innovation and credibility, enabling them to outperform less mature competitors. In short, regulatory maturity breeds operational excellence.” 

Lewis concurs: “Betclic and Tipico have shown that operators with strong brands, effective operations and a clear strategy can build a highly profitable and sustainable business in mature, regulated markets.” 

The outcome, if Banijay’s bet pays off, could be a new European order in gaming – one where stability and compliance, not aggression and opportunism, define leadership. The entertainment conglomerate from Paris will need to prove that it can integrate Tipico smoothly. But if it succeeds, the combination of storytelling, data and betting could reshape not only Europe’s gaming industry but its entire digital entertainment economy. 

The regulator mapped out its concerns in the fourth and final chapter of its research into illegal online gambling. The report considered the challenges of estimating the size of the market and the commission’s recommendations for further progress.

The report considered three approaches to estimating the scale of illegal online gambling in Britain, including dwell time approach, which converts data on engagement and ‘time-spent-on-site’ into expenditure estimates.

The second method is the channelisation approach, based on comparing data on legal and illegal ‘channels’ of engagement with gambling. Finally, the survey-based approach involves players responding to pre-set questions.

Of these three, the Gambling Commission only pursued the dwell time and channelisation methodologies in its four-part report. It said underlying data from surveys was unreliable as consumers’ recall of past expenditure in gambling surveys is “generally poor”.

However, the regulator said neither of the other two approaches presented enough data to allow it to form an accurate view of the illegal market, saying more work is required to make progress.

Minimal findings from dwell time approach

From the data drawn from dwell time and channelisation approaches, the regulator was able to present some findings.

Referencing dwell time results, it looked at the activity of 117 players gambling with illegal websites. Sports betting was the most popular activity with an average of 34% of players taking part, ahead of bingo on 14% and slot and instant win, both with 13%.

However, the primary limitation here was the size of the sample and it not being fully representative.

Also within this section was ‘Patterns of Play’ research on expenditure per minute in the legal market. This showed casino as the main vertical, with £1.12 gross gambling yield (GGY) per minute, ahead of slots on £0.32. However, with the data coming from 2018-19, it was seen as outdated compared to the current market.

The final piece of research looked at online slots GGY per minute between 2020 and 2025. This remained relatively steady throughout, with the most recent rate being £0.24 in March this year.

“Dwell time approach allows us to attempt to convert objective estimates of engagement data using known data from legal market,” the regulator said. “This requires several assumptions to be made – each introducing additional uncertainty to these estimates. Further work on these actions is required before we will reach a position where reliable estimates can be published.”

Channelisation rate far from clear for Gambling Commission

Turning to the channelisation approach, the regulator said while there is potential with this method, more work is needed to verify the accuracy of estimates of web traffic and app use in the legal market to allow reliable channelisation rates to be estimated.

It created a list of all websites associated with operators licensed by the commission and can use digital data company SimilarWeb for estimates of numbers of visits and duration. However, there are some limitations, including that it does not usually observe app versions of illegal websites

“Given the likely strong degree of app-based spend in the legal market, we also need to obtain web traffic data for both apps-based and website-based engagement with legal sites,” it said. “SimilarWeb provides estimates of both. Ideally, we would benefit from operators’ insights to help us verify the accuracy of these estimates.”

Then there were limitations on GGY data and using this to estimate activity within the illegal market. This, it said, related to the margins of error associated with each estimate. It gave the example of statistics covering the period April 2023 to March 2024, which showed total online GGY of £6.9 billion. If channelisation rate estimate was out by just 0.5%, this would be a difference of £34.5 million in the associated estimate of GGY.

What does the Commission plan to do?

In its conclusion, the regulator said while each method has limitations, there are options to open-up a pathway to allow a “robust estimate” of illegal online gambling in Britain.

For the dwell time approach, these options include using data from consumers who have used illegal websites to understand how they differ from legal operators. It will also consider using data from licensed operators to shed light on betting spend and engagement, as well as updating the Pattern of Play report with fresh data.

The Commission also said it could look at trends in VPN downloads to see how many players could be accessing illegal, overseas sites. In relation to this is a potential focus on key search terms for unlicensed sites and the volume of these within search engines.

“Developing this estimate is a worthwhile exercise,” the regulator said. “We recognise that several third parties have published estimates.

“While we welcome the focus on this issue, and recognise the concern stakeholders have about illegal gambling, we urge caution over use of estimates where the methodologies are not clear and levels of uncertainty are not set out.”

Ongoing commitment by the Gambling Commission

The report’s conclusion echoed comments from John Pierce, director of enforcement and intelligence at the regulator. In a recent blog, he set out the commission’s commitment to improving its approach to researching and tackling illegal gambling in Britain.

Among these efforts, Pierce said, are strengthening intelligence capabilities and forging new partnerships across technological and financial sectors and with international regulators. He also noted investment in organisational resilience such as developing new tools, equipping its teams with the right skills and targeted research and data.

“Illegal gambling is not a static threat,” Pierce said. “It is adaptive, opportunistic and increasingly embedded in digital ecosystems on the international stage. Through targeted disruption, strategic partnerships and continued investment in capability, we are building a resilient and effective framework to protect consumers and uphold the integrity of the regulated sector.

“We are making progress; and we are committed to going further.”

What was once a familiar fixture of local life and working-class leisure could soon become a casualty of what the gambling industry has called a shortsighted fiscal ambition. 

Even before the threat of new levies, the retail segment was faltering as the nation’s gambling habits migrated largely online. Quarterly updates from Entain – with over 2,000 stores across its Ladbrokes and Coral brands – have repeatedly described retail as a “stable” but low-growth segment, although the group insists it “treasures” its shops as the backbone of its brand.

Major operators have issued stark warnings against a hike, insisting the impact could wipe out retail betting in the country, with thousands of jobs and hundreds of shops at stake. Aside from Flutter’s recent closures, Evoke, which operates 1,300 William Hill outlets, has also threatened to close as many as 200 shops – 15% of its estate – if taxes rise. As have Entain and Betfred.

“If [the tax rate] went up to anywhere like 40% or even 35% there is no profit in the business,” Betfred founder Fred Done said in an interview with the BBC on 19 October. “We would have to close it down … probably 7,500 job losses.”

Speaking to iGB, a spokesperson for Flutter UK & Ireland reiterates the impact a rise could have on its retail business, noting it has already had to close shops even before any tax increase. “We unfortunately had to close 57 Paddy Power shops last month – and that’s before any increase in gambling duty. Any tax increase on business isn’t a free hit, it comes with consequences,” they warn.

Tax hike will ‘devastate’ UK high street bookmaker jobs

A rise in gambling duty will have a significant effect on jobs and sports sponsorships, as well as offering a huge boost to an illegal black market that has almost tripled in size in the UK in the past three years. 

A report commissioned by the UK’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) in October claimed such a “tax raid” could wipe out £3.1 billion from the UK’s economic output and threaten more than 40,000 jobs.

The analysis by EY found that once lost employment, reduced corporation tax and lower National Insurance contributions are considered, the Treasury’s net gain from the proposed UK gambling tax hikes could fall below £500 million.

“Further tax hikes would devastate jobs, reduce Treasury revenues and drive billions into the hands of the black market,” the BGC tells iGB.

The impact of a possible UK gambling tax rise on the already suffering retail sector has been clearly outlined by stakeholders, but some parliamentarians appear skeptical of the sector’s warnings.

Treasury committee doubts impact of remote tax hike on retail

During a Treasury committee session held in Parliament on 28 October, committee members probed BGC CEO Grainne Hurst and the trade body’s tax policy advisor, Stephen Hodgson, on the issue, seemingly expressing doubts over the sector’s threats that retail would take a hit even if remote taxes were to increase.

Hurst confirmed that UK gambling companies operated a “circular economy” and a single profit-and-loss model, meaning any impact to one side of the business would inherently be felt across the group.

“They will be reinvesting money they make in one part of their business into another. And so if we see any additional further tax increases on any part of the sector, it is likely to have an effect on the retail side of the business,” Hurst told the panel.

“These are businesses that operate in an integrated manner. So if you were to increase remote taxes and leave land-based taxes untouched, you would still see a consequence on the overall ecosystem,” Hodgson added.

“If you look at some of the larger businesses the BGC represents, they are quite integrated. That’s how they manage to achieve economies of scale and become the large, successful businesses they are. And they will look at costs across the board.”

Could the retail sector be shielded from the impact?

Elsewhere, the panel discussed the potential of specifically shielding the retail sector from any tax increase by establishing a separate rate for online and retail betting activities.

Currently the sector pays a flat 15% General Betting Duty across profits made from bets made both online and in-person. But during the meeting Paddy Power co-founder Stewart Kenny proposed a separate lower rate for retail activities to help protect high street bookies from extinction.

“I believe there should be provisions in any taxation [model] that betting shops will be lower, because I think they can be a real social [hub] for people who don’t drink, to have fun. Betting shops do have a future, but obviously like [everything] on the high street they are going to suffer,” he said.

A social institution under threat 

Operators have equally raised concerns over the human impact of shop closures. In an interview with The Times, Entain CEO Stella David said closures would be a blow to community identity. “We don’t want to close shops,” she said. “These are part of Britain’s cultural fabric – not just places to bet, but places where people come together.” 

The sense of loss is echoed across the industry, says Bethan Lloyd, senior associate at Wiggin LLP who previously worked in William Hill’s legal team. She points to the special place the high street bookmakers hold in the lives of punters.  

“Many of these bookies serve as something of a social base for their regular customers; it is sad that this will be taken away,” she notes.

“Many of our shops play a central role in communities and we are committed to our retail estate, but clearly any duty rise in the upcoming budget could impact our plans,” the Flutter spokesperson adds.

Dan Waugh, a partner at Regulus Partners, believes the disappearance of the betting shop will have real social consequences. “Millions of people choose to bet and watch racing in shops despite the fact they can do both at home. A meaningful number of consumers will find their lives negatively impacted by the withdrawal of an activity that brings them pleasure,” he says. 

Impact on mental health 

Mark Pearson, Betfred’s head of corporate affairs and communications, stresses there is a lot more at stake than just a line on a balance sheet. “Retail is the very heartbeat of our business,” he says. “Fred [Done] started with just one shop in 1967. Betting shops are a massive part of communities and high streets.”

He also warns the knock-on effects would be profound. An impacted retail sector would mean reduced investment in horse racing and sport, and not least “a free pass for the black market that offers no protection for vulnerable players.” 

The BGC estimates that 1.5 million Britons stake up to £4.3bn annually with unlicensed operators in a growing black market.

Dan Waugh at Regulus Partners also adds a sobering warning that funding for treatment of gambling disorders, as well as harm prevention initiatives and research, is at risk of falling too. Under the new statutory levy, around 90% of funding comes from betting shops, online betting and online gaming.  

“If consumer spending in these channels falls as a result of tax increases, then we may see essential mental health treatment services collapse.”

The human cost 

The threat to the UK land-based gambling sector is not just about betting shops. The proposed UK gambling tax structures from think tanks such as the IPPR and Social Market Foundation (SMF) would hit all land-based gambling venues – from casinos and bingo clubs to seaside arcades.

Dan Waugh believes the SMF and IPPR reports which propose more than doubling current UK gambling tax rates are of “extremely poor quality”.

“Neither think tank appears to have considered the impact of shutting down large swathes of the land-based industry,” he laments. “Clearly, omnichannel incentives will be far less relevant if there are far fewer shops,” he says of crucial player retention strategies that operators have built over years.

But Lloyd acknowledges that successfully converting customers between online and retail has been a challenge for all the major operators. She says many retail clients don’t regularly bet online and stricter marketing rules have added a layer of complexity to omnichannel approaches.

Behind UK high street bookmakers lie thousands of British employees, many of whom have spent decades in the same communities and companies. Lloyd notes the personal cost is that these staffers will unlikely be redeployed as the industry is tightening its belt across the board.  

UK high street bookmaker employees won’t be redeployed

This will also negatively impact the consumer experience, Lloyd says: “This route will be minimised or removed, and with it, the grassroots knowledge of the punter and the product.”  

Waugh agrees that political advocates of the tax hike underestimate this disruption. “It is easy for people in Westminster think tanks to say that betting shop employees can easily find work elsewhere,” he says. “This ignores the fact that unemployment is rising, that in some parts of the country jobs simply aren’t there.”  

The industry’s geography aggravates the issue. “Online gambling – as with ecommerce in general – tends to concentrate employment in a small number of locations,” Waugh notes. “There might be some opportunities for shop workers in places like Stoke-on-Trent and Leeds, but these are exceptions.” 

The end of an era? 

Retail betting shop closures could have a ripple effect across British racing and related industries. A quarter of racing turnover occurs in betting shops, meaning their disappearance would erode media rights revenues and levy receipts.

“Racing will be the most impacted,” says Lloyd. “Given the demographic of the shops’ customers and their betting patterns.” 

As the chancellor’s autumn budget approaches, the industry’s lobbying has reached fever pitch. Entain’s David has urged policymakers to look beyond short-term revenue. “When you start damaging the regulated market, you don’t get less gambling, you just get less safe gambling,” she has told the media.

The image of the British bookmaker has endured for decades. But it now stands at a crossroads. Taxation that aims to boost public finances could instead hollow out the very communities it is meant to serve and, if the environment becomes unsustainable for the operators, policymakers may soon witness the disappearance of one of Britain’s last surviving high street institutions.  

NetBet, which operates the UK’s Netbet.co.uk website, will pay the fine as part of a settlement with the regulator. All funds will go to socially responsible causes, the commission said.

Setting out the failings, identified between November 2023 and July 2024, the regulator noted several issues related to AML. All referred to paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Licence Condition 2.1.1, covering preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.

Among the issues was how NetBet was “over reliant” on financial triggers, with examples of customers spending disproportionally compared to their reported net income.

In one instance, a customer was not referred to the money laundering reporting officer and remained as low-risk for AML despite depositing around £2,000 within four active days, via an e-wallet and working in a higher-risk occupation.

The regulator noted how a pay slip submitted later by the user showed monthly net pay of approximately £2,800, but disproportionate spend was not considered when they deposited £1,650 within a two-hour period.

The commission also flagged examples of “significant” gambling activity taking place where users showed concerning behaviours. However, the operator still considered them low risk, and no action was taken.

NetBet was also criticised for its money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessment, with the regulator saying this omitted some key risks. These included management of third-party business relationships, high stakes gambling and controls relating to third-country nationals residing in Britain.

NetBet failed to minimise harm risks

As for social responsibility failures, the commission focused on two primary areas of concern at NetBet.

Firstly, it said the operator had failed to implement “effective” customer interaction systems and processes to minimise gambling harms risks.

Concerns were also raised over how NetBet did not identify indicators of harm in a “timely manner”. Expanding on this, the regulator noted how signs such as overnight play, velocity of deposits, exhausting limits and escalated gameplay were not flagged until after a manual review.

In addition, NetBet was discovered to have submitted inaccurate information when filing regulatory returns. The Gambling Commission said it had breached Licence Condition 15.3.1, in reference to providing timely and accurate information to the regulator.

Commission flags ‘serious consequences’ of non-compliance

Based on these findings, the commission deemed it necessary to penalise NetBet, with the payment being in lieu of a financial penalty. The operator will also undertake an independent audit of the flagged policies, procedures and controls, as well as help cover the costs of the investigation.

John Pierce, director of enforcement at the commission, said the case should serve as a warning to other operators. He said the regulator will intervene when standards slip and rules are broken.

“This case highlights the serious consequences of failing to meet AML and social responsibility obligations,” he said. “We expect all operators to take note and ensure their systems are not only well-designed but are working effectively to protect consumers and to keep crime out of gambling.

“The operator was instructed to take immediate action and make significant improvements to its systems and controls. This included strengthening their risk assessments, improving how they identify and respond to indicators of harm and ensuring the accuracy of the data they report to us.

“Our focus is on ensuring operators meet the standards we expect and, where they fall short, we will intervene.”

Another intervention by the Gambling Commission

The commission has taken action against several operators in recent weeks over failures.

In October, the regulator suspended Spribe OÜ’s software licence for failing to comply with hosting requirements. It said this was necessary on “grounds of suitability” due to “serious” non-compliance.

Spribe was required to immediately halt all hosting activity in line with the suspension. It may not resume hosting activities until the suspension is lifted and a suitable hosting licence is issued by the regulator.

Meanwhile, the regulator suspended the operating licence of VGC Leeds Limited, which operates the Victoria Gate Casino land-based venue in Leeds, England.

A compliance assessment of the venue uncovered failures to maintain and implement effective anti-money laundering policies, procedures and controls, as required by licence.

The Betway and Spin owner reported strong performances in the UK and Africa, with the revenues in these markets increasing by 71% and 36% respectively.

The growth in Africa was driven by “solid gains” in Malawi and Tanzania, as well as a 23% revenue rise in South Africa, the operator said. Africa and the Middle East accounted for up to 40% of Super Group’s total revenue in Q3, up from 38% in the same period last year.

In the UK, meanwhile, sports betting revenue shot up 89%, while online casino also increased by 67%.

Analysts at Regulus Partners said the group was “continuing a very strong run which suggests run-rate market share in the UK has grown by 1.6pts to 3.8%”.

Total monthly active customers across all brands reached an all-time high monthly average of 5.5 million in Q3, marking an 18% increase year-on-year. in September alone Super Group reached a record of around six million monthly actives.

Super Group CEO Neal Menashe believes the company’s Q3 performance demonstrates the continued strength of its platform and execution across its core markets.

“Despite customer-friendly outcomes in September, we delivered record-level customer engagement, strong revenue growth and margin expansion,” Menashe said.

“Hitting six million monthly active customers was another significant milestone, a reflection of our product innovation and local execution.”

Canada also a Q3 success story, although LatAm declines

LatAm revenue for Super Group in Q3 dropped from $6 million to $4 million, although growth in Africa and the UK offset that decline.

Canada was another success story for Super Group in the period, with the market increasing its revenue by 15% when excluding Ontario, which grew just 3% year-on-year.

Growth in Canada led Super Group to a 12.4% hike in North America revenue. This will likely be the last full quarter in which US revenue is included in the earnings as the company is set to close its US business in Q4.

Super Group has been offering iGaming in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for some time, although it announced in June it would pull out of the US due to “regulatory shifts impacting long-term US expected profitability”.

Super Group again increases guidance

Strong results left Super Group with an adjusted EBITDA of $152 million (up 65.2%) and a Q3 profit of $95.8 million, a mammoth 830% increase from the $10.3 million reported last year.

Notably, the operator said it had adopted a change in presentation currency from euros to USD as of January. Accordingly, the comparative table has been re-presented retrospectively in line with the change.

As a result of its strong results, Super Group has raised its full-year revenue forecast by 3% to $2.17 billon-$2.27 billion from its previous target of $2.125 billion-$2.2 billion.

The operator also raised its full year adjusted EBITDA forecast slightly to $555 million-$565 million from $550 million-$560 million.

Super Group CFO Alinda van Wyk said of its Q3 results: “Our disciplined investment in high-return markets, combined with operational efficiencies and improved marketing ROI, continues to translate into expanding margins.

“Our balance sheet remains robust with $462 million in cash, giving us both flexibility and confidence as we look ahead to 2026.”

Super Group previously raised its guidance in September at an investor day after a stronger-than-expected start to the quarter.

Previously, Super Group was anticipating ex-US group revenue of at least $2.04 billion, with a forecast of between $470 million and $480 million for adjusted EBITDA.

Analysts suggest path for future Super Group growth

In its note, Regulus Partners highlighted the company’s decision to not enter “expensive new markets with the vigour of many of its competitors”, claiming many of those businesses are now potential M&A targets.

After a strong Q3, Regulus believes Super Group should alter its strategy slightly to continue its growth.

“Super Group’s regulatory risk profile remains relatively ‘spicy’, our view, but while macro growth in mature markets has consistently saved the day in the past, Super Group must now pivot into emerging markets to maintain momentum,” Regulus said.

Winvia commenced trading on AIM, a sub-market of the LSE which is tailored to help smaller, riskier, or high-growth companies secure capital. It provides greater regulatory flexibility than LSE’s primary market.

It opened trading with a market cap of approximately £205 million. Company directors said the listing would raise funds to support its wider growth plans.

According to an LSE filing published on Monday, Winvia had sought to raise funding to take advantage of the ‘roll-up’ opportunity emerging from the UK’s prize draw market.

To roll-up means to acquire and merge a number of smaller companies within a fragmented industry to establish a bigger consolidated entity.

The company also believed the listing would help enhance brand equity and awareness to improve customer and stakeholder trust.

Winvia said the listing would also improve brand equity and awareness, as well as customer and stakeholder trust. In addition, the group said it would benefit from the “discipline and structure” of being a listed company.

Established in 2024 when Crowd Entertainment and its sbsidiaries were brought together, the company operates in the UK and Romania. It focuses on prize draws, skill games and iGaming.

Winvia counts BOTB and its ‘Dream Car’ competition among its brands, while it also added Click Competitions to its suite earlier in 2025. As for Romania, Winvia runs both the Princess Casino and Luck.com iGaming brands.

Aside from this, Winvia offers a range of supporting technologies, which the company bills as the “backbone of the business”. These include proprietary platforms and technology solutions, delivered to partners through B2B arrangements.

LSE listing a ‘defining moment’ for Winvia

Mihai Manoila, CEO of Winvia, welcomed the listing. He said it is a “defining moment” for the business and the next step in its ongoing growth strategy.

“We’ve built a profitable technology-led business across two dynamic markets,” Manoila said. “Listing provides the visibility and momentum to accelerate our next phase of growth.

“I’d like to thank our team and investors for their confidence and support.”

Manoila is one of several experienced executives who make up the Winvia senior team. He has held key leadership roles focused on product innovation, technology, user acquisition and customer experience.

Other senior team members include CFO David Perry, who spent 14 years at Deloitte London. He also worked as chief corporate officer at Games Global. Meanwhile, Jo Bucci, former managing director of People’s Postcode Lottery and chair of the Lotteries Council, serves as non-executive chair at Winvia.

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO acted as reporting accountant for the listing.

Jo Davenport, a BDO deal advisory partner who led the project team, said: “After a quiet period for London listings – both on AIM and the main market – it’s very encouraging to see momentum building once again.

“We’ve been delighted to support Winvia on its IPO. We wish the company well on the next stage of its journey.”

Changing face of UK prize draw market

The prize draw sector in the UK has faced scrutiny from the legacy lottery industry. Earlier this year, Baroness Fiona Twycross, minister of state for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, revealed plans for a voluntary code for prize draws and competitions operators, after lottery stakeholders called for the government to unify regulations across the vertical.

However, under the voluntary code, prize draw operators will not need to secure a licence from the Gambling Commission.

Jumbo Interactive in October purchased Dream Car Giveaways (DCG), a UK-facing digital prize draw competition platform. This deal marked the operator’s entrance into the UK prize draw market.

Not long after, Jumbo also agreed to acquire Dream Giveaway USA, granting it access to the US prize draw market.

In August, the UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) charged Alexander and 10 others with offences that included conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent evasion of income tax. 

The charges relate to the activities of GVC Holdings between 2011 and 2018 via a subsidiary it owned in Turkey. 

In the plea and trial preparation hearing on Monday, His Honour Judge Baumgartner stated his preference was to delay arraignment, the process where defendants are informed of the charges against them. As such no pleas were given during the session.  

The judge said the case would be split into three trials, with the first to include Alexander and former GVC chairman Lee Feldman, as well as five others, provided they didn’t plead guilty to all the charges. 

The first hearing will commence on 14 February 2028, with a trial window of four months. 

The second hearing, where Alexander MacAngus, Richard Raubitscheck-Smith and Raymond Smart will be tried, was set for October 2028.  

MacAngus is facing charges of conspiracy to defraud, while Raubitscheck-Smith and Raymond Smart will be tried on conspiracy charges to defraud and bribe. 

The final hearing will begin on 5 March 2029 and will centre on Robert Hoskin, Entain’s chief governance officer between 2020 and 2023, who was charged with perverting the course of justice. 

Questions raised over evidence, trial location and Entain commercial interests 

During Monday’s session, the defence team questioned the extensive evidence CPS is expected to provide during the trials. One lawyer described it as a “blizzard of material”. 

The judge called for dialogue between the two sides to discuss the volume of evidence being presented. 

Potential reporting restrictions were also highlighted relating to a commercial interest that Entain had in some of the materials, though no conclusion was made on this matter. 

Also discussed was the location of the trials, with many expecting the case to be moved to Leeds Crown Court after comments made at a hearing last month at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. 

On the potential move, the prosecution pointed to many of the alleged criminal activities occurring in the north of England. 

However, Judge Baumgartner said the case would remain at Southwark Crown Court. He stated the disruption in moving the case could cause “great cost for the public purse”.  

Entain’s historical operations in Turkey 

The trials will cover the CPS’ uncovering of these allegations brought against the defendants.  

The case dates back to July 2019 when GVC Holdings denied allegations it was continuing to benefit from the activities of Headlong Limited, a former Turkey-facing subsidiary it owned from 2011 to 2017. 

The company insisted all connections had been cut when the business was sold to Ropso Malta Limited in November 2017, under a deal that included a performance-based earn-out of up to €150 million ($175 million). 

However, the UK’s HMRC later requested further details on the deal from GVC and, in 2020, expanded its probe to include possible “corporate offending”. 

After rebranding as Entain, the company acknowledged that historical misconduct may have occurred, involving a number of employees and former third-party suppliers. 

As the investigation continued, Entain agreed to pay a £585 million financial penalty linked to its past operations in Turkey, relating to alleged breaches of Section 7 of the UK Bribery Act. 

As part of the settlement, Entain also agreed to donate £20 million to charity and pay £10 million to cover the legal costs of the CPS and HMRC. 

Alexander and the others were subsequently charged in August this year in relation to the investigation.

The regulator announced the decision on 31 October, following a recent compliance assessment of the venue. It said this had uncovered failures to maintain and implement effective anti-money laundering policies, procedures and controls, as required by licence.

Serious concerns were also identified regarding the decision-making processes and responses to identified AML and counter-terrorist financing risks. This, the regulator said, raised questions about the overall effectiveness of governance and risk management arrangements.

The licence suspension was made effective immediately, with VGC Leeds required to halt all operations. It includes VGC Leeds’ remote and land-based casino licences and its land-based bingo licence.

‘Serious’ threat to licence objectives

In its ruling, the regulator said the licence would remain suspended while it carried out a broader review of VGC Leeds’ operations. This, it said, would establish whether it was still suitable to hold a licence for casino operations.

“These failings are considered significant and represent a serious threat to the licensing objectives, in particular keeping crime out of gambling,” the Gambling Commission said.

“We have made it clear to the operator that during the suspension, we expect it to focus on treating consumers fairly and keeping them fully informed of any developments which impact them.”

Located in Leeds city centre, the casino offers a range of slot machines, table games and electronic roulette games. It also features bars and lounges for watching sports events and hosting live entertainment.

This is not VCG Leeds’ first penalty from the Gambling Commission. In October 2021, the licence holder was handed a £450,000 regulatory settlement after the commission flagged a number of social responsibility and AML failures at the casino.

Another licence suspension in Great Britain

VGC Leeds was the second gaming operator in just a few days to have its licence suspended by the commission.

In late October, the regulator also suspended Spribe OÜ’s software licence after ruling it had failed to comply with hosting requirements. It said this was necessary on “grounds of suitability” due to “serious” non-compliance.

Spribe was required to immediately halt all hosting activity in line with the suspension. It may not resume hosting activities until the suspension is lifted and a suitable hosting licence is issued by the regulator.

In a statement released on Thursday the regulator said it was necessary to suspend Spribe’s software licence on “grounds of suitability” due to “serious” non-compliance.

Spribe is required to immediately halt all hosting activity in line with the suspension. It may not resume hosting activities until the suspension has been lifted and a suitable hosting licence is issued by the regulator.

Hosting is described by the Gambling Commission as a supplier housing games on its own servers, with players are able to access the titles via an operator’s website or app. This is instead of the games sitting on the operator’s own servers.

A hosting licence is required on top of a gambling software licence to carry out these activities in the UK.

Referring to Section 33 of the Gambling Act 2005, the Commission said it was a criminal offence to provide facilities for gambling in Great Britain without a licence, unless a specific exemption applies.

A person or company found guilty of an offence under this section could be liable for or a level 5 fine, as per the commission’s penalty scale, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks.

The Gambling Commission has subsequently initiated a review of the developer’s licence and activities.

Spribe filing additional application

In a comment to iGB, Spribe said it was preparing an application for a remote casino game host licence.

The company said it was taking the matter extremely seriously and was working diligently to resolve the position as swiftly as possible.

“The issue relates to an oversight in the licence application process. In 2020, Spribe applied for and was granted a remote gambling software licence. However, it has now been identified that our business model also requires a remote casino game host licence. This is a technical licensing gap that was not identified during the original application process in 2020,” the statement said.

“We are working urgently to ensure this application is submitted as soon as possible and that all technical and regulatory requirements are fully met. We hope the Commission will be able to approve the application promptly and that we can recommence operations in the UK market as soon as possible.

“As a company we remain fully committed to compliance, transparency and maintaining the highest standards of software integrity across all markets in which we operate. Throughout our five years of operation in the British market, Spribe has consistently complied with all regulatory requirements under our gambling software licence.”

Spribe said its suspension should not affect players’ ability to access their accounts or withdraw funds.

In a seperate note sent to its partners, Spribe said it expected to reinstate the delivery of Aviator to the UK market in the upcoming month.

Influence of Spribe’s Aviator

Spribe’s Aviator game has gained huge popularity across the UK and Europe more broadly since its release in 2019.

In an iGB op-ed published in February, Spribe CEO David Natroshvili said the game had more than 42 million players per month on a global scale. Up to 350,000 bets are placed at the 5,000 casinos offering Aviator each minute, he said.

Following the commission’s announcement, a blank screen showed when trying to access the Aviator product via the Paddy Power website.

Gambling Commission expects ‘highest standard’ of compliance

Commenting on the suspension, the Commission said it takes a robust approach to unlicensed gambling activity.

“We always expect the highest standards of compliance and integrity from licensees. We expect the licensee to promptly notify any parties impacted by service disruptions and to ensure that all operations are halted in line with the conditions of their operating licence until further notice,” it added.

Spribe was issued its gambling software licence in Great Britain in December 2020.

GambleAware made the call following the publication of its new report ‘Online gambling: Are current regulations fit for the digital age’ on Wednesday.

The primary concern highlighted within the report was children and young people being heavily exposed to gambling . It said that, despite gambling being an age-restricted product, children are being exposed to marketing online, before they are old enough to “critically evaluate” it.

This, GambleAware said, is leading to gambling being normalised and portrayed as “risk-free”. This increases the risk of children experiencing gambling harm, with poor regulation being the reason for such exposure.

The report also flagged how the number of gambling adverts on channels popular among children is a growing concern. It picked out social media and streaming platforms, noting marketing could be encouraging children to gamble and, potentially, lead to harm.

What is GambleAware suggesting?

GambleAware stopped short of calling for a blanket ban on gambling marketing, instead recommending a “pragmatic framework of policy and regulatory”.

The charity has urged more protective messaging on gambling adverts and content. This includes making signposting for gambling support and health warnings a mandatory requirement when an operator appears within online content.

It urged the government to consider restrictions on the marketing of specific gambling activities most commonly associated with harm, such as casino games and slots.

It also suggested a ban on individuals such as influencers, celebrities and tipsters from representing operators.

Among its other suggestions were new rules on paid-for media targeting to only allow age-based media targeting, with 25 being the lower limit, as well as restrictions on influential environments such as sports stadiums and sports clothing.

GambleAware also advised the government to explore restrictions on inducement marketing. This, it said, could include a ban on using inducement marketing where it includes wagering requirements.

Other recommendations include potentially placing more restrictions on content marketing. This would see gambling operators banned from using gambling marketing on channels most popular with children.

Strong support for new marketing regulations

Referring back to previous research, the report included data exposing the impact of gambling ad exposure on children. A statistic from the Gambling Commission’s ‘Young People and Gambling 2024’ report suggested approximately 85,000 11-17-year-olds experience problems with gambling in the UK.

In terms of exposure, in the same publication, 62% of children reported seeing gambling ads online. This included social media and streaming platforms, with over half of the same group seeing adverts on social media weekly.

As for the impact of marketing, 76% of children said it made gambling seem fun. Of more concerns was that 73% of the same age group said such advertising made gambling appear “harmless or risk-free”.

GambleAware added that it was not alone in its desire for changes to the rules on gambling marketing online. It noted a finding from a September 2025 report on the appeal of celebrities in gambling marketing, which revealed 79% of children said there should be more rules on gambling ads on social media.

This was further supported by an Ipsos report, which found 74% of adults in the UK said there should be more regulation around gambling advertising on social media. In addition, the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (Cega) said nine in 10 adults would support a ban on gambling ads on social media sites popular with children.

Changes require to keep children safe

GambleAware Transition CEO Anna Hargrave backed the findings in the report. She said it was clear that more needs to be done to regulate gambling marketing online and protect children from harm and exposure.

“Gambling operators invest significant resources into online marketing because it works at getting people to gamble more,” Hargrave said. “This has resulted in children and young people being exposed to gambling content online before an age at which they can critically evaluate it and understand the risks that come with it.

“The current regulations covering gambling marketing and advertising online were designed before most children had easy access to the internet. Urgent action is needed to update these rules and bring them into the digital age to help keep children and young people safe from gambling harm.”

Incidentally, this could be one of the final reports out of GambleAware before it downs tools. In July, it was confirmed GambleAware will close and transition work to the government, following the introduction of a new statutory levy. This process is due complete by the end of March 2026.

Hargrave is serving as transition CEO to oversee the managed closure of the charity. She took on the role after Zoë Osmond stepped down as CEO in September.

During the committee session MPs heard from two panels of experts; the first included Jung who is acting interim associate director for economic policy and AI for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). 

The IPPR in August advised the government to increase remote gaming duty from 21% to 50%, and machine games duty from 20% to 50% of operator profit, to raise an additional £3 billion ($4 billion) in tax revenue per year. 

“Gaming machines and remote betting are fairly sort of sticky. You can raise the tax more and raise more money, but it also means not everyone will be deterred by higher rates or poorer odds,” he told the committee.  

“And therefore, on its own, I would argue it’s not a sufficient policy to address problem gambling.”  

Jung’s points were made in response to comments from ex-industry stalwart and co-founder of Paddy Power Stewart Kenny. He told the committee that “higher-risk” gambling offerings should be taxed more “to disincentivise bookmakers from sucking [players] from sportsbook into the online casino”.  

Netherlands not a fair example in black market tax hike argument 

Responding to a question on the impact of gambling tax hikes on the black markets, Jung said the Netherlands was not a viable example for gambling tax increases contributing to black market growth.  

The market increased its gambling tax in January as part of a staggered hike and, in August, reports suggested the rise would leave a €200 million black hole in the budget as less tax revenue was being made overall in the market.  

In its most recent report on market activity, the market regulator (KSA) said that this year, for the first time, black market spending had outpaced regulated gambling spending.  

“That is an example that [the industry] will use, but it’s the only example they will use,” Jung said. “In the Netherlands, not only did they introduce tax, they did a whole load of other regulatory changes as well, which we are not proposing.” 

Jung also pointed to very complex legal processes which would hinder black market enforcement in the market.  

“Fortunately, we don’t have that in this country. We are much better and we’re seen as world leaders when it comes to tackling this sort of black-market site,” he added.  

He also used Estonia as an example to show there “is no such correlation between the level of tax and the level of the black market”.  

“Estonia, lower tax, lower share of legal market. One of the problems we have in this area is that it’s very hard to measure, because you’re trying to measure something that’s a criminal activity, so notoriously, it’s always hard to measure,” Jung added.  

Retail connected to online businesses  

In a second panel session, Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) CEO Grainne Hurst and BGC tax committee chair Stephen Hodgson answered the panel’s questions on how a remote gambling tax hike would impact retail operations.  

In recent weeks several operators in the UK have warned they would close high-street betting shops in response to a potential tax hike in the UK.  

Hurst said companies operate as a single profit-and-loss model and therefore any impact to the online sector through increase remote gaming duty would inevitably impact their retail businesses.  

Operators would likely have to pull back investment from other parts of their business, she said.  

The ad appeared in the William Hill app on 17 May, promoting an offer for the game ‘Marble Race Live’.

It stated, “Enjoy £40 on us, when you opt in and stake £20”, with smaller text underneath requiring a minimum £40 stake.

A single complainant challenged whether the advert was misleading. The primary issue was that the minimum stake to secure the £40 in free bets was £40, rather than the £20 stated in the first part of the ad.

Responding to the complaint, William Hill admitted the advert had displayed incorrect wording on how much players needed to spend. This was due to a manual error made when resizing the ad for layout purposes. It said the correct £40 requirement was clearly stated in the smaller text.

“Although the campaign was based on the correct template, the staking requirement was mistakenly changed from £40 to £20 because of a typographical error,” the operator said.

William Hill also said only one advert in the promotion was impacted, with this shown to a target group of up to 3,057 customers via its app. As the ad was live for a few days, it said this reduced the likelihood of “widespread exposure”.

The operator said that customers who clicked the ad saw the full and accurate terms and conditions before opting in. It added that it has reviewed its processes to ensure this type of error does not occur again.

ASA sides with complainant over advert

However, the ASA ultimately agreed with the complainant. It said headline text was likely to mislead users as it did not reflect the terms and conditions.

The ASA acknowledged the small print referred to the correct staking value necessary to participate in the promotion. However, by introducing a higher staking requirement as a qualifying condition, this contradicted rather than clarified the headline claim.

“Because the ad suggested that a stake over £20 was eligible for the offer, when that was not the case, we concluded that the ad was misleading,” the ASA said.

William Hill was found in breach of CAP Code rule 3.1 on misleading advertising, as well as rule 3.9 for qualification. The ASA ordered the operator to not run the advert again in its current form.

ASA clamps down on gambling ads

William Hill is the latest gambling operator to feel the wrath of the ASA for breaching rules on advertising.

Earlier in October, the ASA warned Betway and Kwiff over ads likely to have been of appeal to under-18s. Betway was criticised for featuring the logo of Premier League football club Chelsea throughout its advert. Meanwhile, Kwiff included British Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton in its advert.

Elsewhere, the ASA rejected an appeal from SkyBet about a historical advert featuring ex-footballer and now-pundit Gary Neville. It upheld a ruling from October 2023 that the ad may have appealed to youngsters under the age of 18.

Group revenue for the three months to 30 September reached £435.4 million ($580.7 million), Evoke said in a trading update on Tuesday. This surpassed the £416.6 million posted in Q3 last year.

The group noted that it was the fifth consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth for the business, with revenue increases across all three of its core operating divisions. In contrast, only international revenue grew during the first six months of the year.

“During Q3 we continued to execute against our strategy which is transforming our long-term competitive capabilities and building a more efficient and profitable business,” Evoke CEO Per Widerström said.

Evoke back in black in the UK

Its UK and Ireland online business remained the primary source of revenue during the quarter, generating £163.3 million in Q3. Revenue was up 1% on the previous year.

UK online revenue was driven by higher betting revenue, which increased by 8% year-on-year to £50.7 million, helped by weaker prior-year win margins. Meanwhile gaming reported a 2% decline in revenue to £112.6 million.

Evoke said 888’s performance “continued to be a drag on growth” as it reduced marketing spend while targeting higher marketing returns.

UK retail revenue was also up 6% year-on-year to £121.7 million. Growth was consistent across betting and gaming.

The operator said retail sports betting growth was helped by weaker prior year win margins. Meanwhile, gaming revenue continued to increase during Q3 following the rollout of new gaming cabinets earlier in 2025.

“With retail continuing the improving trend from Q2, all three divisions were in growth during the quarter,” Widerström said. “Whilst our refined approach to UK online marketing to drive improved profitability slightly held back our top-line performance, we are pleased to have recorded our fifth consecutive quarter of profitable growth.”

International love for Evoke

However, as was the case in H1, the international segment experienced the most growth across the group, with revenue up 8% to £150.4 million. Growth was offset by a 26% drop in betting revenue.

Gaming revenue jumped 13% to £137 million, accounting for 91% of total revenue for the international segment.

Digging into the international business’ numbers, Evoke noted double-digit growth in Italy, Denmark and Romania. In Denmark, it completed migration to the in-house platform and subsequent product upgrades,, while it made further gains in Italy, helped by a focus on localised product features on 888.

As for Romania, Evoke completed the migration of 888 Romania onto the localised Winner.ro platform. While there was an initial slowdown in 888 experienced during the migration, the group said the platform is “unlocking significant product improvements and localisation” for customers.

While these developments were positive for the international business, there were some declines. Evoke referenced a slowdown in Spain and non-core markets, with these preventing further growth for the segment.

Evoke reiterates 5-9% annual growth target

In terms of Evoke’s performance in the year-to-date, group revenue for the first nine months of 2025 hit £1.32 billion. This was 3% more than the £1.28 billion reported at the same point in 2024.

UK and Ireland online revenue for the period remained flat at £499.5 million, with UK retail revenue also holding steady at £373.9 million. However, following the same trend seen in recent quarter, it was the international business that drove growth, with revenue up 11% to £449.9 million.

Looking to the remainder of 2025 and full-year expectations, Evoke reiterated its guidance of posting an adjusted EBITDA margin of at least 20%. This, it said, gave it confidence to report adjusted EBITDA “ahead of current market expectations”.

Further ahead, Evoke also reiterated certain medium-term financial targets. These included between 5% and 9% annual revenue growth and approximately 1% of adjusted EBITDA margin expansion per year by the end of 2027.

“We have clear plans in place to support an improvement in revenue during Q4 through continued acceleration in product enhancements, including retail sports and our recently launched new William Hill Vegas app,” Widerström said. “We are also making ongoing improvements to our customer lifecycle management capabilities.

“Alongside this, the improvements we have made to the operating model and efficiencies in our cost base mean we remain confident of achieving our implied adjusted EBITDA guidance, which would outperform market expectations.

“We continue to execute our turnaround with vigour and are making good progress against our plans to position evoke for long-term success and significant value creation.”

No further comment on UK tax changes

While the trading update offered some insight into the latest goings-on at Evoke, there was no reference to one of the main issues engulfing the UK market at present: a mooted rise in gambling tax.

The government is expected to set out new gambling tax plans during the upcoming budget on 26 November. Reports suggest several approaches are being considered, with all seeing some sort of increase.

Earlier in October, a Sunday Times report said Evoke is considering closing up to 15% of its William Hill shops across the UK in response to the proposed tax hike. Several sources at Evoke were said to have confirmed closures could take place if taxes rise.

One source said 120 shops could shut, while another suggested as many as 200 could close. This could lead to up to 1,500 job losses across the William Hill network.

“As part of our ongoing planning, we are assessing the potential impact of different overall tax scenarios on our UK operations,” an Evoke spokesperson said at the time. “This includes the difficult but necessary consideration for shop closures.”

Another recent development out of Evoke was confirmation of Mark Summerfield as its new non-executive chairman. He replaced Lord Jonathan Mendelsohn, who stepped down mid-way through October.

Lord Mendelsohn joined Evoke’s board in September 2020 and was appointed non-executive chair in March 2021. He also had a spell as interim executive chair from January to October of 2023.

Kambi scores with Holland Gaming Technology

First, Kambi Group has signed a multi-year agreement with Holland Gaming Technology in the Netherlands.

Under the deal, Kambi will provide its full turnkey sportsbook solution to the operator. This includes advanced trading capabilities, an open platform and bet builder product.

The partnership comes after Holland Gaming secured a sports betting licence from Dutch regulator, Kansspelautoriteit. It is already active within the county’s online casino space.

“We’re excited to partner Holland Gaming Technology as they expand into sports betting,” Kambi CEO Werner Becher said. “Their strong marketing and deep industry expertise make them an ideal fit for our turnkey sportsbook solution.”

BetGoodwin launches EveryMatrix sports betting product

Next, EveryMatrix has also detailed a new sports betting venture, linking up with UK-facing BetGoodwin.

The operator has rolled out a full turnkey sports solution from EveryMatrix. This followed the signing of a multi-year full turnkey agreement signed in 2024.

The platform offers more than 200,000 monthly live events and up to 800 live markets on English Premier League fixtures. Betting options include pre-live and live bet builder across 11 sports, cash out functions and odds boost.

Julian Head, CEO of BetGoodwin, said: “This is a milestone launch for us. EveryMatrix’s modern sportsbook gives us a feature-rich platform that will help deliver an outstanding betting experience to our customers.”

Pragmatic Play opens Colombia studio

In other news, Pragmatic Play has expanded its reach in Latin America by launching a new live casino studio in Colombia.

Delivered and operated by ARRISE, the Bogotá-based studio will deliver localised, premium live casino experiences in Latin America. Supported by an investment of over $15 million, the facility is set to create over 1,500 new jobs.

More than 100 tables will be located at the studio. These include roulette and blackjack, all customised to local preferences and hosted by Spanish and Portuguese-speaking dealers.

Irina Cornides, chief operating officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “This new live casino studio in Colombia represents a major milestone in our native content expansion strategy across Latin America.” 

Michigan regulator targets illegal websites

Into the US, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has taken further action against unlicensed gambling operators.

The regulator issued cease-and-desist letters to eight online casinos found to be illegally offering iGaming to Michigan residents. The MGCB regularly sends these notices to tackle unlicensed activities.

Aussie Play, CryptoGames, FortuneJack, Hugewin Casino, My Stake Casino, Play at Harry’s Casino, RuneChat and Slots Garden were all contacted by the regulator.

“These unauthorised websites often appear sophisticated and legitimate, but they operate outside of Michigan law, MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “The MGCB will not hesitate to intervene when we find operators ignoring our state’s gambling laws.”

NCPG welcomes affiliates in Texas and Vermont  

And finally, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) in the US has announced two new members.

The Texas Coalition on Problem Gambling and the Vermont Council on Gaming and Health have joined the organisation. Both groups will work with the NCPG and other members on supporting those impacted by problem gambling.

While the NCPG advocates for problem gambling support at the national level, its state affiliates focus on regional efforts. With the new additions, NCPG now has affiliates in 37 states.

“Every state has a unique gambling landscape, but the need for prevention and support is universal, NCPG Board President Derek Longmeier said. “Affiliate organisations are vital partners in NCPG’s mission.”

These claims were made in a new report commissioned by the BGC and carried out by consultancy EY-Parthenon. Titled ‘Impacts of changes to betting and gaming regulation’, it considered several of the proposals submitted for an amended gambling tax.

The government is expected to set out new gambling tax plans during its upcoming budget on 26 November. Several approaches have been mooted but the government is yet to confirm which approach it will take.

The report considers four proposals, covering the current three core gambling tax rates in the UK. These comprise general betting duty (GBD), currently at 15% of net stake receipts, remote gambling duty (RGD) of 21% of profit and machines gaming duty (MGD) at 20% of profit.

It also took into consideration the impact of ‘elasticity’ when analysing each approach to new tax rules. Elasticity measures the responsiveness of one economic variable to a change in another.

This is based on estimates of ‘central’ price elasticity of demand, produced in 2014 by Frontier Economics for HMRC, and ‘higher’ elasticity, estimated by EY to account for a greater possible impact.

Aligning rates could cost almost 5,000 jobs

In the first instance, the report looked at how aligning rates would impact the industry. This approach would see betting duty rates rise to 21%, remote duty remain at 21% and machine duty stay at 20%.

Based on central elasticity, this measure would raise an additional £250 million in betting duty but also lead to a £400 million increase in black market stakes. As such, the government would forgo £10 million in duties. In addition, 800 direct jobs could be lost and 2,000 indirect jobs.

However, on a higher elasticity basis, this approach could favour the black market more heavily. Betting duty would rise £180 million, whereas black market stakes could increase by £1.2 billion. This could lead to a £420 million drop in gross value added (GVA), the measurement used to estimate the size of the industry and its supply chain, and 4,700 direct and indirect job losses.

SMF tax proposal could pump £8.1 million into black market

Secondly, the BGC’s report considered a proposal made by the Social Market Foundation (SMF). In July, the SMF suggested raising RGD from 21% to 50%, GBD to 25% – but cutting horse racing bets to 5% – and keeping MGD level at 20%.

In a best, central-based elasticity scenario, an additional £1 billion would be drawn from the industry in tax in this scenario. However, the report said black market stakes would rocket $5.8 billion and cut regulated industry GVA by £2.2 billion. In addition, some 22,000 jobs could be lost as a result of the changes.

As for higher impact, research suggested tax revenue would rise, but only by £470 million. This would be due to more players turning to the black market, with illegal stakes forecasted to rise £8.1 billion. GVA would drop by £2.5 billion and more than 30,00 jobs would be lost.

IPPR approach puts 40,000 jobs at risk

The third proposal addressed was from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a progressive think tank. It suggested increasing all three rates: GBD from 15% to 25%, RGD from 21% to 50% and MGD from 20% to 50%.

Should this be the case, central elasticity basis suggests a £1.8 billion increase in tax, given that all three rates would rise. However, black market stakes are anticipated to rise £6 billion, wiping $2.5 billion off industry GVA. On top of this, the report said 29,100 jobs would be cut from the sector.

However, if there were a stronger, higher response from consumers, the impact of changes would worsen. Tax revenue would rise £1.1 billion but black market stakes would also jump £8.4 billion, leading to £290 million in foregone duty.

As such industry GVA would slump £3.1 billion, while some 40,000 jobs could be lost. This would include 14,100 direct jobs and 26,000 indirect positions.

Fixed increases would still hit jobs

Finally, the report looked at whether a fixed increase should be applied to each rate. In this case, referred to as a ‘ready reckoner’, GBD, RGD and MGD would all increase by 5%.

Based on central elasticity, excise revenue would be higher across all three rates, but other tax revenue would decline. GVA would be lower across each segment, while hundreds of jobs would be lost in the process. RGD would likely be hardest hit, losing an estimated £359 million in GVA and approximately 3,700 jobs.

In terms of high elasticity, again excise tax revenue would increase in each area, but other tax revenue would decline, with an estimated £210 million to be lost in total. GVA as a whole would drop £860 million, while up to 10,000 jobs would go.

Again, RGD would see the worst impact, losing £420 million in GVA and almost 5,000 jobs.

Tax rises a ’threat’ to UK economy

Commenting on the report, BGC CEO Grainne Hurst said it was clear further tax rises would be a “direct threat” to UK jobs and economic growth. She urged the government to tread carefully before committing to higher tax.

Any increases would be in addition to the new statutory levy, which came into effect on 6 April this year.

“Figures speak for themselves,” Hurst said. “Tens of thousands of jobs lost, billions diverted to the black market and a possible £3 billion hit to the economy.

“Tax raids like those proposed would mean fewer betting shops, casinos and bingo halls, fewer jobs and a huge boost to the growing, unsafe gambling black market, while not raising anywhere near the tax claimed.”

With this, Hurst called for “balanced’ regulations and a “stable” tax regime to help support a growing, regulated sector.

“These proposals would achieve the absolute opposite of that and undermine the very consumer protections that keep people safe by pushing customers towards the unregulated black market, where there are no safeguards, no tax receipts, no jobs and no support for the sports we all love,” Hurst said.

“Britain’s betting and gaming sector is a world leader – employing thousands, paying billions in tax, and investing in British sport. The choice is clear: back a successful, sustainable, regulated British industry – or risk losing jobs, investment and growth.”

High street bookmakers echo tax concerns

The report comes after several major operators warned they could close retail locations if the mooted tax rises go ahead.

A Sunday Times report suggested William Hill shop closures could take place if taxes rise. The sources, who were not named, said these closures could range between 120 and 200 – up to 15% of the entire William Hill UK estate.

Flutter Entertainment also set out plans to close 57 Paddy Power betting shops across the UK and Ireland. This, it said, was amid increasing cost pressures with almost 250 staff facing redundancy.

Stella David, CEO of Entain, has also said UK retail shops could close to help save on costs.

The regulator detailed its latest actions in the third chapter of its research into illegal online gambling. This focused on the disruption of the market, with the commission running several schemes to combat illegal operators.

For the fourth quarter, ended 30 June, some 321 websites were referred to search engines for removal. This was almost 200 more than in Q3 and more than double both Q1 and Q2.

On top of this, 147 referrals were made to registrars or hosts, while cease-and-desist notices were issued to 145 illegal operators. A further 77 cease-and-desist notices were sent out to advertisers.

As for outcomes of this action, some 214 of the flagged websites were removed from search engines, while 108 other sites were geo-blocked or ring-fenced. The commission also noted 42 advertisements or affiliates linked to black market sites were removed, and 22 others suspended by registrars or hosts.

“Geo-blocking and blocks by registrars appear to be more effective methods of disruption,” the Commission said. “Removals from search engines still have an impact, but to a lesser extent. This is likely because removal from search engines make the website harder to find, but do not fully block access.

“Geo-blocking and registrar blocks are more effective, provided that consumers are not accessing these sites using a virtual private network (VPN) in the case of geo-IP blocking.” 

Long-term impact of disruption

Since April 2024, the regulator’s black market team has issued 3,140 cease-and-desist disruption notices. Cease-and-desist orders hit 2,032 by Q3, while 774 registrar referrals were made, 402 to host and three to payment providers.

In total, 447,778 URLs were referred to Bing and Google since last April. URLs differ to websites in that they are a specific web address for a single page or file, with operators able to run many URLs to the same website. Of those referred, 287,961 have been removed since April last year.

In terms of illustrating wider impact, the Gambling Commission used data from 160 websites that had disruption activities taken against them.  On average, across the 160 sites, there was a 32% decrease in engagement following disruption.

“We recognise that this work is at an early stage, but the signs of progress are encouraging,” the regulator said. “We remain committed to building our capability, sharing our approach internationally and working with industry to protect consumers and uphold the integrity of the regulated market.”

Commission aware of emerging threats

However, despite upping its actions, the Commission said illegal operators are beginning to adapt their tactics in response to interventions.

Among its primary concerns are changes to how URLs are structured, rotating domains and embedding gambling content within unrelated websites. As such, the regulator said it would continue to evolve its methods to effectively tackle illegal operations.

“These behaviours indicate our disruption efforts are having an effect and are prompting evasive action,” it said. “As the illegal marketplace evolves, we will remain alert to these changes and continue to adapt our strategy to ensure we respond quickly to emerging threats.”

What new methods is the Gambling Commission using to combat black market?

As to how the regulator is responding, it is seeking new referral routes with platforms used to host unlicensed gambling content. With this, it will continue to work with host platforms, search engines and content platforms to remove illegal content and obtain data about the operators.

The Commission also flagged evolving efforts in terms of international coordination and cross-border jurisdiction, given that many illegal sites targeting the UK are licensed overseas or have operators based abroad. It is running joint projects with other regulators, including the Dutch Kansspelautoriteit, to align disruption efforts and share intelligence.

Others steps include using machine-learning and scripting to automate scraping of data from illegal sites and compile intelligence. This, the regulator said, supports deeper analysis, helps with removal requests and offers greater insight into large-scale patterns.

The Commission is also seeking to work more closely with financial and payment providers to tackle illegal sites. In January, it made its first referral to Visa for illegal sites facilitating Visa payments. It plans to extend this to Mastercard, as well as digital wallets such as PayPal, Google Pay and Apple Pay.

In addition, it is developing a focused cease-and-desist route for digital marketing associated with illegal sites. This, it said will help tackle aggressive digital marketing and manipulation by such websites.

“We also see a valuable opportunity for industry to continue to support our efforts by sharing intelligence about illegal markets activity having an impact and to also gather insight into marketing and advertising strategies associated with the regulated sector,” the regulator said.

“Alongside our existing approach, this collaboration will be vital in ensuring we continue to tackle illegal activity causing the most harm and develop our wider understanding of the marketing and advertising techniques being deployed or copied by illegal markets actors.”

To date, more than 22,000 new ‘Wave’ terminals have been installed at locations across the UK. The new machines are replacing terminals that have been in place since 2009.

Features on the new terminals include a high-speed processor for faster transactions and larger, tilt-adjustable LCD screens. Wave machines also offer wireless 1D barcode and 2D code scanners and a play slip reader that can be fed both horizontally and vertically.

Allwyn announced details of the upgrade project in August, with over 8,000 terminals having already been installed by the end of the month. It pledged to instal thousands more by the end of the year but has not put a deadline on when the project will complete.

It pressed ahead with further instals after a major tech upgrade earlier in August. This included wide-scale changes across the National Lottery retail network, such as new terminal software and switching platforms.

Incidentally, the move to Scientific Games’ Momentum ecosystem was billed as the largest ever in the global lottery market. Momentum now powers National Lottery operations across 43,500 retailers in the UK.

Allwyn National Lottery investment exceeds £400 million

Jenny Blogg, director of operations at Allwyn, welcomed the progress to-date. She said it is part of Allwyn’s broader strategy to improve the National Lottery for players, retail partners and good causes.

“Our wide-ranging transformation of the National Lottery continues at pace, with thousands of Wave terminals being installed every week,” Blogg said. “We’ve now invested more than £400 million upgrading the National Lottery’s outdated operations and technology.

“Not only is this generating a hugely positive response from our retail partners, but it stands us in good stead to deliver on the exciting plans we have for new games, a better player experience and a commitment to double returns to good causes from £30 million to £60 million every week by the end of our licence.”

Allwyn took over operating the National Lottery in February 2024, having secured the licence in September 2023. The licence runs for 10 years, with Allwyn having replaced Camelot, which had run the National Lottery since its launch in 1994.

Wider commitment for change at Allwyn

It is not just in the UK where Allwyn has been making significant changes to its business, with several major developments having been revealed in recent months.

Earlier in October, Allwyn International and OPAP agreed to merge and create a lottery and gaming business worth an estimated €16 billion. The deal, which is set to close in H1 next year, also includes plans to list on another global international exchange such as London or New York.

This announcement comes just weeks after the acquisition of a majority stake in daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator PrizePicks. The deal provides Allwyn with access to the US DFS and betting space. Its only other link to the US market is via its Illinois Lottery operation.

Meanwhile, in July, Allwyn International announced the sale of its land-based casino assets in Germany and Australia. It also acquired the remaining minority stake in Greece- and Cyprus-facing online operator Stoiximan.

Aside from this, the group recently established its new Allwyn Digital division. Led by ex-Betfred US CEO Kresimir Spajic, the business aims to evolve Allwyn in a more heavily digital direction, providing bettors with engaging experiences.

Speaking to analysts during the group’s Q3 earnings call on Thursday, Evolution CEO Martin Carlesund hinted at the December deadline, although he said the Gambling Commission had not specified a timeline for the review.  

Evolution Gambling Commission review stems from supplier crackdown

The GC commenced its review in December, after discovering the supplier’s games were being provided to unlicensed operators in the country. The case indicated a wider crackdown on supplier compliance in the UK, as the commission stepped up enforcement against the growing black market.  

Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes had previously warned operators to step up their monitoring of business relationships, to ensure partners were not facilitating illegal gambling. 

“When it comes to the UK Gambling Commission timeline, unfortunately I don’t have any other information. It’s in the hands of the regulator and our estimation is that it will be by the end of this year,” Carlesund told analysts.  

Q3 revenue dips on troubles in Asia  

In what has been a pivotal week for the group, as it unveiled that Playtech had commissioned a secret investigation against it, Evolution reported its net revenue for Q3 had decreased by 2.4% to €507.1 million. 

Carlesund blamed Asia for its continued impact on the group’s earnings, as it continued to fight targeted cyber-attacks during the period.  

He also looked to the Philippines iGaming market, noting it had been “very volatile” during its early stages.  

“Other markets such as India, which in our view show signs of moving towards regulation, create a higher level of uncertainty than before,” he said in a statement.  

However, the group reported quarter-on-quarter growth in Europe after a couple of challenging quarters during which the market had been impacted by ring-fencing actions to prevent Evolution’s games from being used in grey markets.  

Europe revenue hit €182.2 million in Q3, up from €180.2 million in Q2. But in a year-on-year comparison, Europe was down 6.5%. The ring-fencing exercise commenced after the commission’s review was launched. The supplier initiated the project to ensure it was meeting compliance requirements across Europe and not contributing to the growing back market.  

EBITDA for the period was down 18.9% to €337 million, while EBITDA margin hit 66.4%, down from 71.7% last year. Profit landed at €252.3 million, down 23.2%.  

This week’s revelation that Playtech commissioned a secret and seemingly invasive investigation into Evolution proves that competition among games developers has reached a tipping point.  

 “We are seeing an upward trend in IP disputes because people see huge value in this space. There is a lot to fight over,” says Joel Vertes, partner and co-head of Intellectual Property at CMS in London. 

His team, which is one of the largest IP practices in Europe, regularly deals with disputes involving game developers, platforms and even individuals accused of IP infringements or misappropriation of trade secrets. Vertes highlights the rapid expansion, advanced technology and vast variety as key drivers. “The gaming sector as a whole has just exploded in the last 10 years,” he adds.  

How the Spribe/Aviator case broke new ground 

One case in particular crystallises how IP disputes manifest in the sector. It is the recent high-profile legal battle between the two game developers Spribe and Aviator LLC, which involves Spribe’s award-winning crash game Aviator. 

The dispute started in Georgia last year, in a case that resulted in Spribe being found to have registered Aviator LLC’s trademarks in bad faith. This year the dispute resurfaced in a UK High Court, and in August Spribe won a UK injunction against Aviator LLC, blocking it from producing a copycat crash game and the use of Spribe’s trademarks. 

Although Aviator filed for permission to appeal in the Court of Appeal on 11 September, the application was abandoned on 8 October, and the court dismissed it the same day, having criticised Aviator’s conduct as “petulant”.

The case highlights the UK’s strong enforcement of IP rights. Proceedings regarding the same case are ongoing in other jurisdictions, including the EUIPO. The UK trial is expected to be heard in either 2027 or 2028.  

Protecting IP is challenging 

Vertes underscores the importance of interim injunctions in IP disputes: “Even though temporary, they can be decisive. If granted, the defendant is blocked from acting and many disputes settle shortly after.” 

He explains that in Europe, game mechanics are difficult to protect directly. “Generally, you’re looking at a bundle of rights. So, you’re looking at the brand, and you’re looking at underlying copyright in the source code,” Vertes says. The “general look and feel” of a game, along with registered design rights over graphical user interfaces, have become key IP battlegrounds. 

“The work we’re doing a lot of at the moment is in design rights,” he adds, pointing to how in the UK and Europe, design protection offers a whole new angle to fight over. The increasing speed of game development cycles – accelerated further by AI technology capable of generating code and imagery rapidly – adds urgency to IP vigilance. 

Richard Williams, IP lawyer at Keystone Law in London, emphasises the strategic importance of brand and trademark protection in gaming: “Clearance is a critical step. If you don’t check, you might be blocked from a market or subject to costly litigation.” 

An example of this is the backstory to the dispute between Spribe and Aviator LLC. In its Georgia case Aviator LLC claimed the rights to the name and logo created in 2017.

Williams stresses that smaller markets can still have a huge impact. “This insight reveals how early trademark clearance – often overlooked – can make or break international expansion.” 

IP disputes are being weaponised 

In Europe, legal frameworks around IP protection are more uniform than in many regions, but still complex. Vertes advises that those involved in the industry must become “IP-savvy quite quickly,” ensuring their names, designs and coding practices do not infringe on others’ rights. 

There is agreement among experts to whom iGB has spoken that IP cases are being weaponised in a competitive market. “Obviously, even if the IP dispute isn’t successful, it’s a good way of trying to keep competitors out of the market for as long as possible,” says Richard Williams. 

Joel Vertes agrees that it does happen: “I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t weaponise your IP. If you’ve filed a patent over some mechanics in a game, or you’ve registered designs over the graphic user interface, why would you not go out and enforce it?” In the end, it is all about upholding brand and technology exclusivity in a highly competitive environment.

“It’s not about squishing small companies from entering the market – they’re perfectly entitled to compete. But that doesn’t mean they’re entitled to step on others’ toes to do it.” 

Across the Atlantic is a different picture 

Across the Atlantic, the situation is notably different, as the US is largely shaped by distinct legal doctrines and litigation cultures. Steven Caloiaro, an intellectual property litigator at the Reno office of Dickinson Wright, offers a contrasting perspective. 

Caloiaro observes that patent litigation in the US gaming sector has actually declined over the last decade. He attributes this to pivotal Supreme Court decisions like Bilski vs Kappos in 2010 which narrowed patent eligibility for software innovations.  

“Bilski made it very difficult to successfully litigate software-related patent cases,” Caloiaro explains. Since many iGaming innovations revolve around software – such as progressive jackpots, reward systems and bonus mechanics – the impact has been significant, he explains. 

“For the established gaming community, litigation has been down – specifically in the iGaming sector.” 

Instead, the rising trend in the US is “softer IP” disputes covering trademarks, trade dress and trade secrets, as evidenced in recent cases like Light & Wonder vs Aristocrat. In that case, a game designer’s movement between companies raised trade secret concerns—a classic scenario in the tight knit industry.

Non-compete enforcement has also increased in the US as companies seek to indirectly protect IP by limiting employee mobility. Caloiaro notes: “Non-competes can serve as a workaround to protect IP.” Despite challenges from the Federal Trade Commission, gaming companies have actively sought to enforce these clauses, he says. 

Fundamental distinctions between Europe and the US

When it comes to enforcement remedies, Caloiaro contrasts the US and Europe: “In the UK or EU, if you win, you’ll almost certainly get an injunction. In the US, it’s not guaranteed, which can reduce the value of a win if you’re trying to keep a competitor off the market.”  

Moreover, damages awarded in US courts tend to be significantly higher, but litigation is also more costly and carries higher risk since parties usually bear their own legal fees regardless of the outcome. 

Outlining other fundamental distinctions between European and US IP enforcement, Vertes says the biggest difference is the size of damages. “US claims can be worth far more than European ones. So if you’re chasing a big monetary win, the US is [more] attractive,” he explains.  

Vertes also points out the value of “design rights” in Europe, a somewhat underutilised protection in the US, where trade secrets and trademarks dominate the softer IP landscape. The Aviator injunction highlights how UK courts actively protect registered trademarks and associated branding.  

By contrast, Caloiaro notes that US patent law’s challenges in protecting software-based innovations tend to reduce patent suits but encourage a focus on trade dress – the visual appearance of a product – and trade secret claims.  

AI’s rise complicates the IP picture on both sides of the Atlantic. Caloiaro agrees that AI lowers barriers to entry and blurs lines between inspiration and infringement, although US patent offices require a human inventor, limiting AI-generated patent claims. 

Best practices moving forward

Both European and US experts emphasise proactive IP management. Vertes urges companies to “choose a name, make sure you’ve cleared it, that you’re not infringing on others”.  

“Talk to your developers. Make sure they’re not just going online and scraping or copying. There’s no rule that says if you make five changes from a copyright work, it’s suddenly okay. It doesn’t work like that,” he says.

Caloiaro stresses the importance of understanding the different IP types – trademarks, copyrights, patents – and filing registrations and documentation accordingly.  Both lawyers are in agreement that, in today’s fiercely competitive and fast-moving iGaming market, a sophisticated IP strategy is essential for any company to survive. 

Platinum, which runs the brand, was also handed a formal warning by the regulator. In addition, it must undergo a third-party audit to ensure it is effectively implementing its AML and safer gambling policies.

Detailing the case, the regulator set out a series of failings. In term of social responsibility, it noted several examples of when the operator fell short of licence conditions.

In one case, a customer interaction system failed to identify a player as at risk of harm. This was despite the customer losing £5,000 within 24 hours of registration, then over £16,000 in less than three months.

Another player lost over £31,000 within nine months without the operator interacting with the customer. The same player reached their monthly loss limit on six occasions and demonstrated markers of harm associated with high velocity gambling.

Meanwhile, Platinum failed to identify a user who exceeded their £2,500 loss limit within 16 minutes of registering their account as being at risk of potential harm. In addition, another player staked £73,000 and lost £4,100 over a 23-day period without any interaction from Platinum.

Blocked customers opened new accounts with Platinum

In terms of AML, again the commission offered several examples. It noted how Platinum’s money laundering/terrorist financing risk assessment failed to take into account customers whose accounts had been closed due to money laundering or terrorist funding concerns prior to 2023. As such, some customers whose accounts were blocked were able to open new accounts and gamble.

Meanwhile, the commission said AML policy “lacked clarity” around customer due-diligence and enhanced customer due-diligence measures conducted and how this was determined by the level of risk displayed by a customer.

Other issues included that there was no evidence that potential high-risk factors were considered when customer reviews were undertaken. Such factors include high-risk occupations, high levels of transactions through deposits and withdrawals, and high losses.

Concluding the case, which covered the period between January 2023 and May 2024, the regulator set out the specific breaches.

These include paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of licence condition 12.1.1 on anti-money laundering and preventing money laundering and terrorist financing. Platinum also breached licence condition 12.1.2, related to anti-money laundering measures for operators based in foreign jurisdictions.

In addition, it failed to comply with several paragraphs of Social Responsibility Code Provision 3.4.3 on customer interaction.

Gambling Commission fines Unibet brand twice in two years

This was the second time Platinum has faced a financial penalty in recent years.

In March 2023, it was slapped with a fine of £2.9 million, again for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures. At the same time, Kindred’s 32Red brand was fined £4.2 million for similar issues.

Commenting on the latest case, commission Director of Enforcement John Pierce said his primary complaint was with unchecked high spending.

“The case revealed serious shortcomings in customer interaction systems, including failures to identify and act on clear markers of harm,” Pierce said. “These included consumers losing thousands within hours or days of registration, repeatedly breaching loss limits and exhibiting patterns of binge and high-velocity gambling without appropriate intervention.

“Alongside the penalty, this operator is required to conduct a follow-up independent audit and internal investigation – providing regular updates to the Commission. These added conditions are designed to drive meaningful change, reinforce accountability and embed a culture of compliance.

“Senior leaders must take ownership of compliance outcomes and ensure lessons are embedded across the organisation, supported by structured reporting and board level oversight – and further regulatory activity will remain a possibility.”

In the case of Super Group-owned Betway, a complainant took issue with a YouTube advert that appeared in May. This featured a football fan wearing clothing carrying the logo of Premier League football club Chelsea.

The complainant contended the appearance of the Chelsea logo could have been of appeal to under-18s. As such, the advert could have been seen as a breach of regulations.

In response, Betway said the advert referred to its rewards scheme, rather than directly to its gambling services. It also noted how official guidance allows gambling adverts to include content that “specifically identifies a subject of the gambling activity”. This, it said, includes sports team logos.

Betway also flagged how the advert did not feature any active football and focused on the actual stadium, with rewards club members having the opportunity to win a stadium tour of Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge. It noted how everyone in the video was over the age of 18 and actual competition winners and not actors.

Further defence included that it was permitted to use Chelsea logos under its partnership with the club. In addition, it said the advert was targeted at logged-in YouTube users over the age of 25.

ASA brands Betway ad ‘irresponsible’

However, the ASA disagreed. It said that while guidance does allow for club logos to appear, this only applies to being featured in a standalone context, such as at the end of an advert. It said the fact logos appeared throughout breached this rule and would have appealed to under-18s.

The ASA also dismissed the argument that the ad targeted logged-in YouTube users aged over 25. It said YouTube was a media environment where users self-verify on sign-up and does not use robust age-verification methods. As such, it ruled Betway did not exclude under-18s from the audience.

With this, it flagged Ofcom research based on a 2025 survey that indicated 81% of 8-17-year-olds active on social media used YouTube. It also estimated 20% of this age group with their own profile had a registered user age of at least 18.

“Given that evidence, we considered it was likely that there was at least a significant number of children who had not used their real date of birth when signing up to YouTube and were able to see and access content intended for those aged 18 or older, meaning they could view advertising content from gambling operators,” the ASA said.

“We concluded that the ad was irresponsible and breached the code.”

Kwiff criticised over Lewis Hamilton ad

Meanwhile, the ASA also ruled against Kwiff, a brand operated by Eaton Gate Gaming, over an advert featuring British Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton.

The ad appeared on X before the 2024 British Grand Prix and featured an image of Hamilton. It also contained a link to an article on Kwiff’s website about the race, as well as an 18+ symbol and GambleAware branding.

The complaint, from a researcher at the University of Bristol, noted the inclusion of Hamilton could appeal to under-18s.

In its lengthy defence, Kwiff made several remarks about the ad. It said that it believed it to be responsible and was published to drive traffic to a blog article, rather than to its gambling site. It also noted the article content was a piece of sports commentary and not about gambling.

Other defence factors included that none of its followers on X were younger than 18. It also said there was no “standardised approach” to age verification on social media and that it took “reasonable” steps to prevent younger people from seeing the ad.

In addition, it took the position that Hamilton would likely be of more appeal to older fans of F1. Kwiff said younger supporters would have more interest in younger drivers, as opposed to 40-year-old Hamilton.

X also issued a response, saying the post was organic and not a promoted or paid-for ad. It added that it has now put in place a multi-step age assurance methodology in line with the UK Online Safety Act. This was not the case when the post appeared last year.

ASA upholds irresponsible ruling

But the ASA disagreed with the operator. It flagged several stand-out issues with the ad and the defence put forward by Kwiff.

Key points included that the ad directly connected to Kwiff’s gambling site. It also dismissed the argument that Hamilton would not be of appeal to under-18s, given that he has won seven F1 World Drivers’ Championships. As such, his inclusion in the post was in breach of official guidance.

Other points were that X did not have in place robust age-verification methods at the time and that it relied on users self-verifying. As such, it said there was potential that some Kwiff followers may have been under 18 and seen the post.

“We accepted that X had an additional measure in place, whereby third parties could report accounts that they believed were under age,” it said. “While helpful, we considered that this measure was unlikely to effectively identify all accounts that had falsely claimed to be over 18.”

It concluded: “We acknowledged Sir Lewis Hamilton was primarily famous for his association with an adult-oriented sport but considered he was very well known to a general UK audience, including to children and young people.

“We considered, based on his public profile, commercial partnerships, media appearances and UK under-18 social media following, that he had strong appeal to under-18s. For those reasons, we concluded the ad was irresponsible and breached the code.”

SkyBet fails with Gary Neville ad appeal

In other news, the ASA rejected an appeal from SkyBet about a historical advert featuring ex-footballer and now-pundit Gary Neville.

In October 2023, the ASA ruled an ad featuring Neville breached regulations as it may have been of appeal to under-18s. The post on X featured an embedded video clip from The Overlap football podcast, with Neville discussing which team might win the Premier League. The SkyBet logo appeared occasionally throughout the video.

SkyBet defended the ad by saying Neville would not have appealed to under-18s, given that he retired from football some time ago. However, the ASA agreed with the complainant that Neville’s fame among the wider football community meant the ad may have appealed to young people.

SkyBet appealed the decision and while the ASA made “minor factual amendments” to the ruling, its decision was the same. It said the ad should not appear again in its current form.

Lord Mendelsohn joined Evoke’s board in September 2020 and was appointed non-executive chair in March 2021. He also had a spell as interim executive chair from January to October of 2023.

During his tenure, Mendelsohn oversaw significant change at Evoke. Major developments included the acquisition of William Hill’s non-US assets from Caesars. The deal, which completed in July 2022, was valued at £2.2 billion ($2.9 billion).

Mendelsohn was also at the helm when now-CEO Per Widerström joined the business in July 2023. Widerström was appointed to replace Itai Pazner, who was removed as CEO as the company grappled with failures across AML and KYC processes. Following Pazner’s exit, Mendelsohn served as executive chair during an interim period.

In his role as chair Mendelsohn oversaw Evoke’s major rebrand, as it adopted a new brand and structure. The company took on its new Evoke name in May last year.

Away from Evoke, Lord Mendelsohn is a working peer in the House of Lords, having been appointed in October 2013. He also previously worked as shadow minister for business, international trade, innovation and industrial strategy for the Labour party.

‘Privilege’ for Mendelsohn to chair Evoke

“It has been a privilege to serve as the chair of Evoke,” Lord Mendelsohn said in an Evoke statement released on Tuesday. “Having overseen the transformation of the business into one of the world’s leading betting and gaming companies, now is the right time to hand over to Mark to steward Evoke through its next important phase of growth and stability.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past five years. I’d like to thank my fellow board members, the executive team and the wider organisation for their utmost and unwavering commitment.”

CEO Widerström added: “I would like to thank Jon for his exceptional leadership of the board and for his support during my transition into the business. He has helped to guide the company through a period of significant growth and transformation. His insight and collaboration will be missed.”

Summerfield takes the helm at Evoke

Evoke, which counts 888 and William Hill among its brands, moved quickly to replace Lord Mendelsohn. Summerfield will become permanent non-executive chair of the board with immediate effect.

Summerfield joined Evoke’s board in September 2019 as a non-executive director. He is now chair of both the audit and risk and gaming compliance committees, as well as a member of the ESG Committee.

“It has been one of the highlights of my professional career to have partnered with Jon over the past few years and I will miss his dedication and insight,” Summerfield said. “I look forward to working closely with my fellow board members and the executive team to ensure the successful delivery of our strategy and create significant shareholder value.”

In addition, Anne de Kerckhove has been appointed as permanent deputy chair of the board. De Kerckhove joined the board in November 2017 and will continue as a senior independent director. She also chairs the nominations committee and the ESG Committee.

Widerström added: “I am looking forward to working with Mark and Anne in their new roles. Mark has such strong and deep institutional knowledge of the company, the industry and our strategic priorities. He is ideally positioned to lead the board and company through the next period of growth and development.”

Evoke prepares for Q3 update

The change in chair comes ahead of Evoke publishing its Q3 trading update on 28 October.

During its most recent period, covering H1, Evoke reported largely positive results. Revenue was up 3% year-on-year to £887.8 million ($1.19 billion). This was in line with forecasts published in a trading update in July.

Growth within the international business offset declines across both the UK and Ireland online gambling and retail segments. Incidentally, it is the latter that has drawn the most attention at Evoke in recent weeks.

Earlier in October, it was reported that Evoke was considering closing up to 15% of its William Hill shops in the UK in response to an expected increase in gambling tax. Various reports said as many as 200 could close, leading to up to 1,500 job losses.

Evoke currently operates approximately 1,300 William Hill shops in the UK. The government is expected to set out new gambling tax plans during its autumn budget on 26 November.

Betfred could close all UK shops

Bookmaker Betfred has warned it could close all its UK high street betting ships if gambling taxes rise as feared.

According to The Guardian, Betfred is considering shutting all 1,287 of its shops. This would put 7,500 jobs at risk across the UK.

The government is considering introducing higher tax rates for gambling companies active in the UK. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out the plans during November’s budget.

Flutter Entertainment also recently said it plans to close shops in the UK and Ireland. Entain and Evoke also said they could shut branches in response to higher tax.

Aerssen departs Dutch Lottery

The Dutch Lottery has announced that Jet Roos-van Aerssen is stepping down as chief financial and risk officer (CFRO).

Aerssen had worked for the operator since May last year, having succeeded Arjan Blok as CFRO. Blok went on to become CEO of the Dutch Lottery.

Prior to joining the organisation, Roos-van Aerssen worked in various international and national financial roles. This included stints with Talpa Network, Aegon and General Electric.

“Jet has made a significant impact on our organisation and our contribution to sports and exercise in the past year and a half,” Blok said. “We have come to know her as a professional and appreciate her commitment to the Dutch Lottery. We wish Jet every success in the future.”

Kambi scores betting partnership with Betnation

Also in the Netherlands, Kambi Group has agreed to a multi-year partnership with online operator Betnation.

Kambi will deliver its turnkey sportsbook solution to Betnation in the country. This includes a range of sports betting technology and services, such as a betting engine and trading and risk management capabilities.

Betnation has operated an online casino in the Netherlands since October 2022.

“Kambi’s reputation for excellence, cutting-edge technology and a commitment to regulated markets made them the natural choice as our new sportsbook provider,” Betnation CEO Robert Schouten said.

BetMGM extends with NFL’s Steelers

BetMGM has extended its partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL.

The deal will run to 2029, with BetMGM serving as an official sports betting, online casino and gaming partner.

BetMGM and the Steelers will introduce new fan-focused experiences, as well as continue the “Decade of Black & Gold Sweepstakes”. The latter awards one fan in Pennsylvania or West Virginia with 10 years of season tickets and hospitality tent passes for Steelers home games.

“This partnership extension allows BetMGM to continue delivering experiences that reflect the energy and passion of Steelers Nation,” said Casey Hurbis, BetMGM chief marketing officer.

Svenska Spel details community funding programme

Svenska Spel has launched a new initiative to fund local sports clubs in the Gotland region of Sweden.

Föreningsdrömmen Gotland will distribute SEK1 million ($106,124) each year. This will see 10 clubs in the region receive SEK100,000 each.

Clubs interested in the funding can begin to apply from 12 November. Funds can be used to fund equipment, travel, camps or support their own initiatives.

“Sports are an important meeting place for children and young people. It is where joy is born, where dreams grow and where community takes shape,” Svenska Spel CEO and President Anna Johnson said. “With Föreningsdrömmen, we want to give more people the chance to be involved and feel the joy and belonging that sports create.”

Some 29 shops will shut in the UK, including one in Northern Ireland and a further 28 in Ireland. This is expected to place 247 employees at risk of redundancy, including 128 in the UK and 119 in Ireland.

A Flutter spokesperson said some staff would be offered redeployment opportunities “where possible”. However, they warned that some people would lose their jobs as a result of the shop closures.

“In light of increasing cost pressures and challenging market conditions we can confirm that we will be closing 28 shops across Ireland,” the Flutter UKI spokesperson said.

“We are continually reviewing our high street estate, but it remains a key part of our offer to customers, and we are seeking to innovate and invest where we can as we adapt to different customer trends and needs.”

Flutter added that the shops would be closing within the next month. However, it is yet to confirm which Paddy Power branches will be impacted.

Could more shop closures be on the way?

Confirmation comes after several other major operators warned of possible shop closures in response to potential tax increases in the UK.

This week, a Sunday Times report suggested William Hill shop closures could take place if taxes rise. The sources, who were not named, said these closures could range between 120 and 200.

Evoke currently operates approximately 1,300 William Hill shops across the UK. Should the closures reach the upper end of estimations, this could see 15% of its total retail network shut.

“As part of our ongoing planning, we are assessing the potential impact of different overall tax scenarios on our UK operations,” an Evoke spokesperson said. “This includes the difficult but necessary consideration for shop closures.”

Stella David, CEO of Entain, has also said that UK retail locations could close to help save on costs. The operator counts Ladbrokes among its brands.

Trouble with tax

Much of this movement links in with mooted changes to tax in the UK. The government is expected to set out a restructured gambling tax during the upcoming budget on 26 November.

The government has not yet given a definitive answer on what the rejigged tax could look like. However, several rates have been reported and mooted as the November budget date edges closer.

The government said it was considering a single rate for remote gambling. This would replace the current three-banded tax rate system. However, this has drawn strong criticism from the gambling industry. 

Any increases would be in addition to the new statutory levy, which came into effect on 6 April this year.

Under the agreement, Australian operator Jumbo Interactive will pay AU$109.9 million (US$71.6 million) to secure ownership of the DCG business. This includes $75.2 million up front, $10.2 million in equity and $24.5 million in earn-out payments.

B2C-facing brand DCG offers players the chance to win prizes, such as cars, cash, property and lifestyle products. Jumbo Interactive said the addition of DCG to its business fits in with its wider growth and diversification strategy.

Jumbo Interactive targets ‘internet savvy’ players

The acquisition establishes a B2C footprint for Jumbo Interactive in the UK. The group noted DCG appeals to “younger, digitally native customers”. It also referenced a “proven business model, a strong growth trajectory and attractive financial returns”.

It added that the deal provides the opportunity to leverage its technology, marketing and operational capabilities to accelerate DCG’s growth.

“DCG has become a trusted leader in the UK’s B2C prize draw sector, which is meeting the rising demand from younger, internet savvy consumers seeking unique products in an engaging digital format,” Jumbo Managing Director, CEO and Founder Mike Veverka said.

“Jumbo’s two decades of B2C success in Australia and its world-class software, marketing and customer management expertise, provides DCG with the foundation to continue its already impressive growth.”

DCG Director Marcus Hickling also welcomed the deal. He said Jumbo Interactive’s systems and technologies will support DCG as it adapts to changing demands.

“With ongoing changes in technology and increased competition in the prize draw space, I’m pleased that DCG will be part of Jumbo,” he said. “I look forward to working closely with the Jumbo team in the next phase of growth for our business.”

DCG’s current management team will remain in place. Its three directors and founders will continue to lead the business through the earn-out period to 31 December 2026. DCG management will report into Tam Watson, head of UK operations at Jumbo.

Jumbo Interactive added that its 2025 full-year results will remain largely unchanged despite the acquisition.

Questions remain over UK prize draws

The acquisition comes at time of change for prize draws in the UK. Earlier this year, Baroness Fiona Twycross, minister of state for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, set out plans for a voluntary code for prize draws and competitions (PDCs) operators to unify regulations across the emerging vertical.

Lottery stakeholders have called for stricter regulations for prize draws in the UK, as they claim the vertical is in direct competition with traditional lotteries. The UK’s Lotteries Council called for unified regulations across lottery verticals last year. Today prize draws are not governed by the Lottery Act.

Under the voluntary code, prize draw operators will not need to secure a licence from the Gambling Commission.

Further concerns over the impact of prize draws on traditional lotteries have been raised by the UK regulator. A Q3 gambling activity update from the commission showed that these offerings could be cannibalising traditional lotteries in the UK.

“We’ve seen the growth of large-scale prize draws and that growth has been very significant,” commission CEO Andrew Rhodes told attendees of the Betting and Gaming Council’s AGM in February.

Revenue for the three months to 30 September amounted to €864 million ($1.01 billion), FDJ United reported. This fell short of the €890 million restated amount for the corresponding period in the previous year.

Restated revenue for Q3 2024 is based on the assumption that Kindred Group was part of the FDJ business last year. FDJ United closed its €2.45 billion acquisition of Kindred in October 2024, with its results first included in the group’s Q4 2024 numbers.

However, FDJ flagged that revenue would have been stable had it not been for various gambling tax increases across Europe, primarily France. It said the impact of the higher taxes was €21 million, with €18 million of this coming from rises in France.

Tax increases in France came into effect on 1 July and spanned both land-based and iGaming activities. The largest rise was for online betting, with the rate rising to 59.3% from 54.9% of GGR. Previously, FDJ said the changes would cut €45 million from its EBITDA total for 2025.

The market also faced increases across social welfare contributions from gambling operators as of last July.

“The change in FDJ United’s revenue at the end of September reflects the prolonged decrease in our online betting and gaming business in certain markets and the impact of higher taxation on gaming, particularly in France since 1 July,” Chairwoman and CEO Stéphane Pallez said.

Some growth despite tax impact in Q3

Detailing its performance, FDJ United revealed mixed fortunes across its four business segments. French lottery and sports betting remained the primary source of revenue at €595 million, a rise of 2.1%.

However, excluding the €14 million impact of gaming tax increase on lottery, revenue here would have been 4.5% higher year-on-year.

Lottery revenue climbed 2.5% to €508 million, driven by draw games and instant games. As for sports betting, this remained level at €87 million, despite a tough comparison period in 2024 that included the latter part of the Euro 2024 football tournament.

However, revenue from online betting and gaming fell 15.6% in Q3 to €209 million, again on a restated comparison basis.

FDJ put this down to an additional tax deficit of €7 million, mainly due to the rises in France but also in Romania. It also noted tighter regulations in both the UK and the Netherlands.

As for the other two segments, international lottery revenue edged up 0.3% to €44 million for the quarter. However, revenue from payments and services dipped 1.8% to €16 million.

Year-to-date revenue tops €2.73 billion at FDJ

As to how Q3 impacted FDJ in its year-to-date, revenue for the nine months through to the end of September hit €2.73 billion. This was 2.1% short of last year’s restated €2.79 billion total.

Declines were reported in all but one of the group’s business segments. French lottery and retail sports betting revenue was up 3.1% to €1.89 billion, with a 4.8% rise in lottery revenue to €1.57 billion offsetting a 4.8% decline in sports betting revenue.

Online betting and gaming revenue fell 12.9% to €675 million on the back of higher taxes in France and tightened regulations in other markets. International lottery revenue also dipped 11.5% to €124 million – due to the sale of Sporting Group at the end of 2024 – while payments and services revenue slipped 1.6% to €47 million.

FDJ vows to step up cost cutting

Looking ahead, FDJ said it anticipated a slight drop in revenue for the fourth quarter. This will likely be due to lower revenue from French lottery and retail sports betting, as Q4 includes several “exceptional events” in draw games. However, online betting and gaming revenue is likely to be stable.

With this, FDJ said it expects full-year revenue to reach “more than €3.70 billion”. Given that last year’s restated total was €3.79 billion, this could mean a year-on-year decline in revenue for the group. Recurring EBITDA is set to hit approximately €900 million with a recurring margin above 24%.

In addition, FDJ said it will now step up its cost reduction efforts as part of its 2025-2028 performance plans.

“The group deepens its transformation and performance plan in 2025 and pursues the operational implementation of its strategy, in line with the growth objectives of its Play Forward 2028 plan,” Pallez said.

This figure includes its 50% share in the US-facing BetMGM business, although the operator did, for the second time, break its earnings down to also exclude its US figures.  

Ex-US NGR was up 4% or 5% cc, assisted by a 10% NGR uptick in the CEE region. 

UK NGR was up 8%, in line with expectations the operator said, with online (up 15%) largely driving the uptick. This was down to “growth in players’ values driving strong volumes and further market share gains”, Entain said.  

Notably NGR in Brazil was down 10% year-on-year during the period due to unfavourable sporting results which offset 14% volume growth.  

During the earnings call on Wednesday, Group CFO Rob Wood said that, despite this drop in revenue, the company is “excited” by Brazil’s potential.  

Wood dubbed the Brazil results as “genuine bad luck from sports results” as the market has a high football mix and was impacted by both Champions League and local league results.  

Wood insisted that, despite the dip, the market was “trading on the right side of expectations on a volume basis”.  

Impact of tax hike in UK  

When asked on the earnings call about mitigating the impact a possible remote gambling tax increase could have in the UK, Entain CEO Stella David warned a number of business areas would take a hit. 

“There are a number of levers we could pull which include being less generous on bonusing, odds [could] be not quite as good, a reduction in marketing. These are all things that one does to mitigate against unwelcome tax increases,” David told analysts.  

Adding to David’s point, Wood said the sports sector would take a hit as operators (including Entain) would likely pull back on sponsorship deals and the advertising around them.  

“It doesn’t matter which [market’s] tax [rate] moves, sponsorships, because there is a long pay back and they are about brand awareness, are an obvious place operators will go,” Wood added.  

“The only winner in that situation is the black market because they have less competitive disadvantage. The loser of course is [the] sports [sector].” 

“Obviously we don’t sit on our hands and not plan for those eventualities,” David added.  

The possible increase in remote gambling tax is a hot topic among the sector today and was also addressed in Rank’s Q1 2025 earnings update on Wednesday.  

In April the UK government said it was considering a new tax framework for remote gambling. It opened a consultation and is expected to provide an update on its plans in the 26 November autumn budget.  

Analysts asked Entain execs whether a hike could benefit the operator by speeding up industry consolidation and weeding out smaller competitors.  

Wood said it was certain that smaller operators would be squeezed, and up to 25% of the UK’s iGaming market was made up of tier 3 or smaller operators.  

Entain AUSTRAC proceedings update  

On the operator’s ongoing legal proceedings with Australia’s AUSTRAC, David said she was pleased with the operator’s current compliance framework in the market.  

“I think we’re probably market leading [with the system we have in place now],” David said. She noted there was no clear timeline for the proceedings and the legal process could end up being worked out in court.

It is currently working through a mediation process with the regulator, which “will take as long as it takes”, she said. Mediation started in the summer.

The operator appointed a new permanent CEO for its Australia business in August. Andrew Vouris acted as interim CEO for two months before being made permanent.

For the three months through to 30 September, revenue at BetMGM amounted to $667 million. This, the operator said in a trading update on Tuesday, was accompanied by a 13% rise in player spending to $3.16 billion.

Growth across the board in Q3

BetMGM noted double-digit net revenue growth across both its iGaming and sports betting segments.

Online sports betting saw the most growth, with revenue rising by 36% to $202 million. The operator put this down to an upgraded online sports product, which it said offers users an improved experience. However, it also noted how favourable sports results in July and August were partly offset by customer-friendly results in September.

Within the sports betting segment, NGR per active was 49% higher than in Q3 of last year. In addition, handle per active increased 23%.

As for iGaming, revenue jumped 21% to $454 million, which BetMGM said was helped by “continued strong growth” in player acquisition, retention and activity. Average monthly actives were 21% higher in Q3.

Also on iGaming, BetMGM referenced several developments as part of its ongoing plans to improve its offering. These included exclusive omnichannel title launches and cross-selling iGaming on its sports betting offering.

A further $11 million in net gaming revenue came from retail and other operations during Q3. In addition, BetMGM reported positive group EBITDA of $41 million for the period, in contrast to last year’s $16 million loss.

BetMGM raises full-year guidance again

As for its performance in the year-to-date, BetMGM said group revenue for the nine months to the end of September is set to hit $2.02 billion. This would be 31% more than last year’s total for the same period.

Revenue from iGaming is set to be 26% higher at $1.35 billion, with sports betting revenue up 52% to $624 million. In addition to this, player spending in the nine-month period is set to amount to $10.67 billion, a rise of 22%.

On top of this, EBITDA for the year-to-date was placed at $150 million, in contrast to the $139 million loss posted in the previous year. Incidentally, the $150 million figure is what BetMGM expected full-year EBITDA to reach when it increased guidance after a positive Q2 showing.

Initially, BetMGM said during its full-year 2024 results that it would be “EBITDA positive” for the year. However, having exceeded expectations in each reporting period, this is now set to rise again, with the operator issuing improved guidance.

Now, full-year EBITDA is set to reach $200 million, BetMGM said in the update. In addition, net revenue is on track to hit $2.75 billion, in line with the “at least $2.7 billion” stated after Q2.

Business ‘healthier than ever’, says CEO

“Our momentum from H1 continued into Q3, underpinned by the ongoing execution of our strategic plan,” BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said. “The execution in operations we have described this year – improved marketing efficiency, player management, brand positioning and product and platform improvements – all contributed to our strong revenue growth and material cash flow increase from both sides of the business.

“Strong underlying metrics and margin outperformance during July and August support our confidence in raising guidance for full year 2025. Furthermore, we have reached yet another inflection point in our journey, returning operating cash flow back to Entain and MGM Resorts.

“My previous statements that BetMGM is healthier than it has ever been still ring loudly and our stronger-than-expected performance through Q3 positions us well for the rest of the year and into 2026.”

BetMGM commits to return $200 million to parents

Also noted in the update were details on returning funds to the brand’s parent companies. Entain and MGM Resorts International have run the operation as a joint venture since 2019.

In August this year, BetMGM Chief Financial Officer Gary Deutsch said the operator could be in a position to return cash to both parents by the end of the year. Deutsch was speaking after BetMGM’s positive showing in Q2.

Now, BetMGM has confirmed that it intends to return “at least $200 million” to Entain and MGM by the end of the year. After this, it still expects to end 2025 with approximately $100 million of unrestricted cash.

It added that distributions of cash to parents will be on a “quarterly cadence” going forward.

For the three months to 30 September, net gaming revenue at Rank topped £210.2 million ($280.9 million). This, the group said, surpassed the £197.5 million reported in the same period in the previous year.

While Rank reported growth across all four of its core business segments, the highest rise came in digital. Here, like-for-like revenue climbed 13% year-on-year to reach £61.6 million in Q1.

Rank noted a 31% spike in Grosvenor digital revenue as well as a 9% rise within its Mecca online segment. In Spain, however, net gaming revenue fell 1% due to previously reported platform capacity issues. Rank said such issues are being addressed, with the launch of a new bingo platform set to see the segment return to growth in Q2.

Rank sees Grosvenor venues revenue exceed £100 million

Turning to land-based operations, net gaming revenue from the Grosvenor venues business was up 8% to £102.7 million. Again, this segment drew the most revenue for the group.

Growth here was helped by a 5% increase in customer visits and a 3% increase in spend per visit. Outside London, Rank said Grosvenor’s performance grew 10%, whereas in the British capital growth was noted at 4%.

The group said a relatively quieter summer in London was offset by an improved performance of Victoria Casino. This followed a major refurbishment that was completed in July.

Breaking down this segment further, electronic table gaming revenues grew 11%, which the group said represented “return on investment” from recent upgrades to terminals. Table games revenue edged up 3% and gaming machine revenue climbed 12% following the rollout of additional B1 gaming machines across the estate.

This latter point followed a pledge from Rank to take advantage of new land-based rules in the UK implemented in August. These included allowing casinos to instal more gaming machines and potentially offer in-house sports betting. Rank said in August it was exploring plans to launch sports betting at its UK casinos.

Elsewhere, revenue from Mecca venues grew 5% despite a 1% decline in overall customer visits. Spend per customer, however, was 6% higher year-on-year. Finally, Enracha venues in Spain reported a 5% increase in revenue for the quarter.

Rank paying ‘fair share’ of tax

Chief Executive John O’Reilly spoke positively about the Q1 performance. He said the figures place the group on track to hit its full-year targets.

“We have started the year strongly,” O’Reilly said. “We’re confident of delivering group like-for-like operating profit in line with expectations, notwithstanding the significant cost increases we have incurred in employer national insurance contributions, the national living wage and the new statutory levy.

“We are pleased to be rolling out additional gaming machines in our Grosvenor venues. We’re on track with our installation programme and now expect a total of 850 incremental machines to be added to our estate before the end of H1 2025-26.”

O’Reilly also addressed ongoing speculation regarding tax changes in the upcoming budget in November. Reports suggest the government is likely to increase gambling tax in the UK. The main change could be a switch to a single rate for all remote gambling.

Speaking in August after Rank published its full-year results, O’Reilly urged the government to tread carefully in terms of implementing changes to tax. Now, he said the group is paying its fair share of tax already, given its strong UK focus.

“Speculation regarding tax changes in the upcoming budget is, inevitably, hanging over the business,” O’Reilly said. “We are engaged with the treasury on the implications of tax changes on the viability of our venues, employment levels, future investment and the customer.

“Last year the group generated £44.6 million in profit after tax, having paid HMRC and local authorities £188.0 million in taxes. Rank Group, with its strong UK focus, is certainly paying its fair share.”

The division will be led by two new senior hires, Hugh Johnson as chief client officer and Nick Withersby as chief creative officer.

Johnson and Withersby each bring more than 20 years’ experience in brand strategy, marketing and advertising, having worked together since 2022 at Amigo Partnership, where they delivered standout and award-winning work for clients including LiveScore, Flutter, Virgin BET, UNICEF and Soccer Aid.

They also collaborated on The Pools’ brand relaunch, with the campaign being a winner at the 2025 Alliance of Independent Agencies Awards.

Based from SITA’s London headquarters, Withersby will oversee the agency’s creative output, working with its in-house copywriters, design and video teams. Johnson will lead creative client relationships and the agency’s responses to briefs. Both will report to chief executive Ben Cleminson.

‘Transformational’ appointments

Square in the Air described the recruitment of Johnson and Withersby as “transformational” for the agency.

Cleminson said: “I have been fortunate to see Hugh and Nick work at close hand, and they are exceptional creatives. The addition of their skills and experience is incredibly exciting for all teams across our business, and their leadership and fresh perspective will massively benefit the agency.

“The division that we are launching with Hugh and Nick will add a creative layer to our business, allowing us to provide a vital, sought-after service to a client base that we have nurtured over nearly 20 years, while also extending our reach into new markets and sectors.”

Square in the Air is a full-service marketing agency with clients around the world and a team of more than 50 employees. It works with operators, suppliers and affiliates in betting and gaming, as well as sport and fintech, offering services including digital and traditional PR, social media and influencer management.

According to a Sunday Times report, several sources at Evoke have confirmed closures could take place if taxes rise. The government is expected to set out new gambling tax plans during the upcoming budget on 26 November.

The report said the number of shop closures has not yet been decided. One source suggested 120 shops could shut, while another said as many as 200 could close. This could lead to up to 1,500 job losses across the William Hill network.

Evoke currently operates approximately 1,300 William Hill shops across the UK. Should the closures reach the upper end of estimations, this could see 15% of its total retail network shut.

“As part of our ongoing planning, we are assessing the potential impact of different overall tax scenarios on our UK operations,” an Evoke spokesperson said. “This includes the difficult but necessary consideration for shop closures.

“We are mindful of potential tax increases in the forthcoming budget which would impact investment in the UK and drive more customers to the black market.”

Incidentally, Evoke is not the first major operator to warn of possible shop closures amid the planned tax rise. In recent weeks, Stella David, CEO of Entain, which counts Ladbrokes among its brands, also said retail locations could close to help save on costs.

Tax rises almost nailed on

Talk of an increase in gambling tax has been rife for most of 2025. In April, the government initially proposed a single rate for remote gambling. This would replace the current, three-banded tax rate system.

The proposal has drawn strong criticism from the gambling industry. Concerns included how it would impact harmonisation on wider issues such as risk and harm and the potential demise of the horse racing sector, which relies heavily on the betting sector.

There has been no government confirmation on what a gambling tax restructuring might look like, but in September, a group of more than 100 MPs from the governing Labour Party called for an increase in the rate of gambling tax to tackle child poverty.

The MPs said gambling in the UK is “lightly taxed” at 21% of gross gaming yield (GGY).

The letter referenced an earlier suggestion by the Social Market Foundation (SMF). In July, the SMF proposed raising Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 50%. This, it said, would bring the UK more in line with other jurisdictions in Europe and the US, where online gambling tax rates reach 50% or more.

Increases in tax would be in addition to the new statutory levy, which came into effect on 6 April this year.

UK retail struggles for Evoke

Evoke addressed the potential tax increases in its H1 results announcement, published in mid-August. At the time, Evoke CFO Sean Wilkins told the government to tread carefully in terms of how it approaches a potential tax rise.

“If you increase tax beyond a certain point, this leads to black market growth,” Wilkins said. “This would then lead to lower tax take and zero player protection, which is against the objective of government. This has been evidenced in the Netherlands

“Our expectation is to see a balanced approach between the requirement to get more cash and protecting the regulated market.”

In the same announcement, Evoke reported a 2.4% drop in revenue from its UK and Ireland retail business.

This was partly due to tough year-on-year comps due to last year’s Euro 2024 football tournament, while Evoke also made reference to “challenging conditions on the high street”. The total number of William Hill shops fell 2.2% to 1,302 by the end of the half.

However, the group did make improvements to its retail estate in the UK&I. This included the completion of the rollout of 5,000 gaming machines in March.

Speaking at the time, Evoke CEO Per Widerström said gross win per machine was 15% more than in Q3 last year, with the new rollout drawing in more customers. He added that further machine enhancements are planned, with additional legacy machines to be replaced.

“We are confident that our retail stores can continue to survive tough high street conditions in the UK and Ireland,” he said. “We will monitor profitability closely across our network.”

Last week the Spanish government imposed a new policy requiring online gambling operators to present tobacco-style warnings across their products, alerting players to the dangers of gambling addiction and the likelihood of losing money.

Speaking to iGB, Hinojosa said the body had found out about the new policy in the media. It was not included in any discussions with the regulator before the announcement by Minister for Social Rights Pablo Bustinduy at a safer gambling event on 1 October.  

“The only thing we know is the Ministry for Consumer Affairs said last week ‘we are going to implement these new measures’ but said nothing about how the resolution [would be included in the law].

“They didn’t share any proposal with the sector, so we are exactly like you, reading about it in the media,” he adds.  

No clear timeline for tobacco-style warnings introduction

When asked when the tobacco–style warnings must be introduced by operators, Hinojosa says there has been no clear response from the regulator.  

“This is not really [made clear] by the regulator. We don’t know exactly what it’s about. We would like, once again, a solid impact analysis.” 

According to the government’s announcement, the rule was implemented into Spain’s gambling laws as part of the Royal Decree 958/2020, which covers marketing and gambling communications.   

It also noted the influence of recent addiction data as justification for the measure. The data was published by the Spanish Ministry for Health in 2024 and formed part of the country’s National Drug Plan.   

But Hinojosa questioned the relevance of the data, saying: “[Looking at addiction statistics] and the gambling problem across the consumer, it’s not really a bigger problem than before.”   

“The data for addiction among students is similar over the last four or five years. It is concerning for us, of course, but it’s not really a bigger or different problem than before.” 

Return of strict ad measures expected in Spain  

Policymakers in Spain are considering further player protection measures, including restoring a previously withdrawn ban on the use of celebrities in gambling advertising. 

The minister said this was currently being processed through the Spanish Congress and he did not offer a timeframe for the measure to be reinstated.    

Hinojosa tells iGB that up to five policies from the original Royal Decree 958/2020, which heavily restricted gambling marketing back in 2020, are being reconsidered by the government.  

These regulations sought to reduce minors’ exposure to gambling advertising in Spain by banning aspects such as sponsorship deals with operators. 

The decree was approved by the Supreme Court in November 2020, but a number of measures were overturned in 2024.  

Other stakeholders have speculated that the full scope of restrictions could be reinforced in the short to medium term, including watersheds for TV and radio advertising and welcome bonuses for new customers.  

“Big changes in regulation must be strongly grounded in empirical evidence and temporal sequences, rather than political decisions driven by impulse, intuition, or the partial interpretation of a single data point,” he says of the government’s overall approach to gambling reform.  

““It is [difficult] to understand why there are so many regulations to protect the player, then who protects the gambling market?”   

But Hinojosa says there is no indication of a timeline for these policies to be debated, due to the current political instability in Spain.  

In June, the organisational secretary of the Spanish Prime Minister’s Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) resigned on corruption claims and the prime minister himself has faced opposition calls to resign over the scandal which extends to others within the party.  

No threat of gambling tax increase in Spain 

One challenge that Hinojosa does not expect the Spanish sector to face is that of increasing tax rates. Governments across the UK and Netherlands and further afield to Latvia and Romania are considering or are already implementing tax increases for the sector.  

But Hinojosa says Spain has not had a budget session in the last two years and is not expected to have one in 2025, meaning any potential tax rise is not on the cards in the short term.  

“We do not expect any change to the tax system,” he tells iGB. “It would be another blow to the investments and the innovation that the sector brings to the country, whether the government likes it or not.” 

Designed in partnership with creative agency 23red, part of CapGemini, the campaign will run year-round. It will feature across multiple digital platforms, targeting men aged 18-44 and individuals affected by their loved ones’ gambling.

Featured in the campaign will be several short creatives, with the primary piece of content being a 30-second film using metaphorical visual storytelling to demonstrate the emotions people can experience while gambling.

GamCare encourages people to seek support

The campaign forms part of a wider, ongoing effort by GamCare to promote support for those impacted by gambling harms. Established in 1997, GamCare provides information, advice and support for people dealing with problem gambling.

“Our new creative visualises the inner turmoil that people experiencing gambling harms can feel,” GamCare CEO Victoria Corbishley said. “It’s a fresh approach that we hope helps people in need, whether they gamble themselves or care about someone who does. We hope they will see those signs and reach out sooner for support.”

23red Creative Director Tristan Cavanagh added: “Unhealthy gambling habits are often hidden in plain sight. We set out to create something people who are experiencing gambling harms instantly recognise and feel rather than just watch, with visuals that mirror the quiet chaos inside someone’s head.

“Our aim was to cut through the usual tropes and deliver a piece that resonates emotionally, prompting conversations before harm escalates.”

The campaign launches as another industry charity, GambleAware, prepares to close. In July, GambleAware said it will halt all activities and transition its work to the British government by the end of March 2026. This followed the introduction of a new statutory levy earlier this year.

In August, GambleAware named Anna Hargrave as its transition CEO to oversee its managed closure. Hargrave took on the position after Zoë Osmond stepped down as CEO on 30 September.

The introduction of deposit limits follows a recommendation made in the Gambling Act review white paper. Mandatory limits are becoming common practice and are already enforced in the Netherlands and Germany.

From 30 June 2026, all UK online operators must provide users with the opportunity to set a deposit limit. Clarifying this, the Gambling Commission said these limits must be based on the amount customers pay into their account over a set duration.

As part of the scheme, gambling operators can also offer loss limits or limits on withdrawals, on top of the required deposit limits. These, the regulator said, could be loss limits based on gross deposits, meaning total deposits made during a period, rather than deposits minus withdrawal.

October deposit limit deadline around the corner

The new rules will be introduced in stages, with the first set of amendments effective from 31 October.

From the end of October, operators must ensure new customers are met with a prompt to set a financial limit before they make their first deposit. This, the regulator said, should be easy to review and alter.

Operators will also be required to remind consumers every six months that they must review their accounts and transaction information. Licensees must also offer financial limits using free text at an account level to help customers set meaningful limits

Other changes include operators providing financial limit-setting facilities via a link on the homepage and deposit pages. These must be clearly visible and accessible, and require a low number of clicks to reach the facilities.

Finally, operators will be required to respond immediately to customer requests to decrease their financial limit.

Changes are to empower customers

The commission said the changes mainly focus on how limits are to be defined and communicated to customers. This, it said, will help consumers better manage their gambling habits.

Helen Rhodes, director of major policy projects at the Gambling Commission, added that the new rules will give players more control over their gambling. She added that the new-look limits will “empower” consumers.

“These further changes will also bring consistency and clarity for those consumers choosing to set deposit limits, while still supporting gambling businesses to offer customer choice for different forms of limits,” she said.

Consultation heralds mixed responses

The new rules are based on responses from a Gambling Commission consultation launched in March. This review sought to help the sector understand what the incoming measures could look like.

The consultation focused on three main proposals: setting gross deposit limits as default, whether to allow consumers to select “net” limits – deposits minus withdrawals – and the definition of the term “deposit limit”.

It received mixed responses, with some respondents raising concerns over the regulator making gross deposit limits mandatory. There were also some calls to make implementation guidance clearer, as well as to place restrictions on the use of “deposit limit” as a term.

Taking this into account, the commission first sought to clarify certain terminology to reduce the risk of confusion. One example being that only limits that meet the “gross” deposit limit – total deposits made during a period – can now be defined as a “deposit limit”.

The regulator also concluded that operators must offer deposit limits as a minimum but can also set other limit types. However, these must be given equal prominence on the operator’s website.

Reducing confusion among consumers

In terms of technical settings, it was decided that when a consumer sets timeframes across several limit types, the one with the most restrictive setting must apply.

The commission also reiterated that consumers who set a deposit limit cannot deposit again until this period has ended or they opt out of the limit, with the latter subject to a 24-hour “cooling off” period.

As for operator guidance, the commission said the term “spend limits” will be replaced by “stake limits”. This, it said, better aligns with gambling behaviour and will be less confusing for consumers.

Other points included clarifying what “loss limit” means to the consumer. Operators should make clear that this is defined as total stakes minus any winnings within a set timeframe.

In addition, the commission had advocated for the introduction of the term “net deposit limit”. This, it said, is defined as deposits minus withdrawals within a selected period.

Footballer banned for betting breach

Dutch professional footballer Osman Foyo has been banned from playing for five months after breaching rules on betting.

Foyo, who plays for English League One team AFC Wimbledon, placed 252 bets on matches. The BBC said the bets were made between 29 October 2023 and 28 March 2025.

English Football Association rules say players across the national pyramid are not permitted to place bets on football. Those who breach the regulation risk fines and bans.

Four of the five months in the ban issued to Foyo have been suspended, meaning he will only miss an initial month. He was also ordered to pay a fine of £1,000.

Broadway Gaming names Cleary as CEO

Online bingo specialist Broadway Gaming has appointed Mark Cleary as its new CEO.

Confirming the news on LinkedIn, Broadway said Cleary will make the step up from chief operations officer. He has served in his current role for more than eight years.

Cleary replaces founder David Butler as CEO. Butler will transition into the role of executive chairman, where he will focus on strategic partnerships and M&A opportunities.

“Mark has been instrumental in the company’s growth, operational excellence and team culture and driving Broadway to become the UK’s largest independent online bingo operator,” Broadway said.

Hickey takes managing director role at Games Inc

Another new appointment was confirmed at Games Inc, with Fiona Hickey becoming managing director.

Hickey takes on the role at the slot game studio after working in the iGaming sector for more than 15 years. She joins after six years with Push Gaming.

Hickey will focus on three areas: growing the studio’s distribution footprint, ramping up game output and strengthening its platform.

 “I am excited to be leading such a talented team at a really pivotal moment for Games Inc,” Hickey said.

Danish regulator raises awareness of helpline

Danish regulator Spillemyndigheden has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the StopSpillet helpline.

Running throughout October and December, the campaign will mainly target men in their 30s and 40s. Research showed fathers of that age may have more difficulty seeking help.

Since its launch in January 2019, StopSpillet has had almost 4,000 conversations with players and their relatives.

“The campaign is intended to show more of what you risk missing out on if you let gambling fill you up too much,” said Anders Dorph, director of Spillemyndigheden.

Light & Wonder launches cancer support campaign

Light & Wonder has partnered with several organisations to launch a new campaign focused on battling cancer.

“Gaming vs Cancer” will seek to raise awareness, funding and support for cancer research, care and community programmes. Global Gaming Women is among the organisations working with Light & Wonder on the initiative.

To support the initiative, Light & Wonder will hold a month-long fundraising campaign to benefit the American Cancer Society. It will match all donations up to $10,000 made through the Light & Wonder Game Changers for Good portal.

“As the leading cross-platform global games company, we recognise both the responsibility and the opportunity we have to make a meaningful impact in the communities where we live, work and play,” said Shannon Demus, CFO Gaming Americas at Light & Wonder.

In an industry bulletin dated 3 October, the Gambling Commission highlighted several areas for improvement. All operators licensed in Britain are required to have measures in place to protect against money laundering and terrorist financing.

Among the key concerns was an “over-reliance on financial threshold controls”. The regulator said in some cases licensees only began customer risk-profiling and associated risk-based due diligence procedures when a financial threshold was reached.

This, it said, was despite other, non-spend related risk factors being clearly present throughout.

It also noted how some financial thresholds were set at an inappropriately high level for the risks present. In addition, it said this reliance on financial thresholds was to the detriment of other risk factors.

The regulator said this allowed players with significant risk factors to gamble without any appropriate risk-based due diligence taking place, or only after they had deposited and withdrawn large sums.

To combat this, the regulator recommended licensees conduct ongoing risk-based customer due diligence and monitoring. It also warned that these parameters should be set at an appropriate level.

“Financial threshold controls can be a useful tool in combatting money laundering and terrorist financing,” it said.

“However, they must not be relied upon in isolation and must be set at a level that is appropriate based on the individual licensee’s risk assessment, business model and customer base and the customer risk profile.”

Gambling Commission urges more action to protect players

Other areas of concern flagged by the Gambling Commission included not compiling risk profiles in line with official guidance. It noted cases where risk factors related to a customer were not identified either at all or not early enough.

“Customer risk profiling must be informed by the operator’s wider risk assessment,” the regulator said. “Operators need to assess the extent to which a particular customer triggers the risk factors considered in the risk assessment and graduate the risk profile of the customer and the level of customer due diligence undertaken accordingly.”

The commission had similar concerns over how players’ documentation and information was scrutinised. In some cases, it said in a review of current systems, operators had failed to identify stand-out risk indicators such as bank statements with significant third-party deposits evident and/or outgoings higher than income.

“We have also seen examples where, although the documentation contained indicators suggesting the document was false or fraudulent, the required enhanced customer due diligence was not conducted,” the regulator said.

“Operators need to have appropriate controls in place to identify such cases and need to ensure that their staff are appropriately trained to assess customer documentation, including how to identify false documents.”

Also flagged was an apparent neglect of proper staff training on AML and CTF issues. This, the commission said, could lead to oversight of key protection measures for both operators and their customers.

Other concerns included poor record keeping, lack of due diligence on third-party relationships and using exterior companies to draft risk assessments.

AI remains a concern for money laundering measures

In addition, the commission noted a rise in the use of AI, algorithms and behavioural models for AML purposes. It said these technologies have been used to identify red flags for money laundering and terrorist financing within a customer’s profile and/or behaviour.

While it acknowledged these can be useful, it said not all operators understand how algorithms work as an AML control. As such, they have not been able to implement them properly, thus falling foul of their licence conditions.

“We have identified compliance concerns where, due to the configuration of the algorithm, high-risk indicators have not been identified and/or escalated by the automated control in place,” the regulator said.

“Operators must ensure that their suite of AML controls, including any algorithms, other reports and manual processes, are appropriately identifying risks so that risk-based due diligence can take place.”

With the introduction of Gibraltar’s new Gambling Act 2025, the jurisdiction is embarking on a broad reform of its regulatory framework – designed to reflect the realities of a fast-evolving gaming industry in a post-Brexit landscape.

This legislative overhaul replaces the long-standing Gambling Act 2005, and aims not just to modernise but to reposition Gibraltar as a top-tier regulatory hub, after it was recently removed from the European Commission’s list of high-risk jurisdictions.

According to Victoria Reed, a regulatory consultant and founder of Better Change, the 2025 Act – effective since 1 October with a transitional period of six months – represents a “substantive and directionally aligned” leap forward.

”Gibraltar was one of the first jurisdictions to build a reputation as a credible, well-regulated hub. We’ve got a low corporate tax rate, access to skilled people and, crucially, a regulator that struck the right balance between commercial awareness and strict oversight which undoubtably helped attract many of the industry’s biggest brands,” she tells iGB.

Its close link to the UK gave operators access to the market, which cemented Gibraltar’s importance for many of the UK’s tier one players.

”After Brexit though, it lost the ability to passport licences across the EU, so its value became even more tied to its guaranteed UK market access. That shift meant Gibraltar had to double down on reputation and substance and the new act is designed to do exactly that,” says Reed

The framework, she explains, expands scope, embeds economic substance, strengthens oversight of the full value chain and maintains an active enforcement stance.

What’s included in Gibraltar’s new Gambling Act?

The new Gambling Act is comprehensive, placing new classes of businesses under supervision, introducing individual accountability for senior managers and enforcing real local economic presence.

As Andrew Lyman, head of Gibraltar’s Gambling Division, puts it: “Any gambling business now managed and controlled in or from Gibraltar potentially falls within scope.”

Key innovations within the new act include:

• Substantive presence requirements: Licensees must now demonstrate real economic substance in Gibraltar – through staff, offices, infrastructure and local tax contribution. The goal is to eliminate “brass plate” operations that offer little benefit to the jurisdiction.
• Expanded licensing perimeter: The act creates distinct licences for B2C, B2B and “Gaming operator support services”. Activities such as marketing and CRM, managed trading and software hosting now require their own approvals.
• Approved persons regime: For the first time, senior decision-makers will require personal vetting and licensing, similar to the UK’s Personal Management Licence. This enhances accountability at the individual level.
• Marketing oversight: All marketing activities conducted “in or from Gibraltar” will be subject to new regulation – bringing affiliates, group marketing hubs and even creative agencies into scope.
• Enforcement powers: The Gambling Commissioner’s powers are significantly bolstered. The commissioner can now issue administrative fines, cease-and-desist orders, conduct inspections and impose suspensions where warranted.
• Digitalisation and reporting: Operators must prepare for increased digitised reporting, particularly in relation to AML, financial disclosures, technical standards and safer gambling initiatives.

Gambling Appeals Tribunal introduced to review regulatory enforcements

Crucially, a Gambling Appeals Tribunal is being introduced. The independent body established under the updated Gambling Act is designed to hear appeals against decisions made by the gambling commissioner. These may include licence refusals, suspensions, revocations or other enforcement actions.

The tribunal’s creation marks a key milestone in Gibraltar’s broader regulatory reform, legal experts have said, reinforcing its position as a jurisdiction committed not only to robust regulation, but also to fairness, transparency and legal accountability.

Ultimately, it adds another layer of trust that should help to attract serious operators to the market.

Gibraltar’s new Gambling Act: Impact on stakeholders

Steven Caetano, partner at Isolas law firm, notes: “The act raises standards for all stakeholders, with the greatest operational impact on operators and their key personnel.”

Operators must overhaul their group structures to map out which business units will require licensing. For multinationals, this may mean multiple licence applications and reorganised internal governance. B2B providers and third-party support services – including marketing, technology and CRM services – must now assess whether they require standalone licences.

Similarly, senior personnel face new responsibilities, with the “Approved Persons” regime emphasising personal accountability front and centre.

Regulators gain more authority – but also a heightened responsibility to ensure fair, consistent and transparent enforcement.

In the end, players stand to benefit through stronger consumer protections, responsible gambling requirements and greater market integrity.

Navigating the challenges

Stakeholders have welcomed the new regulation, but it doesn’t come without significant challenges. Among them are increased compliance costs as new licence applications, reporting obligations and staffing requirements will drive up outlay – especially for smaller operators or those transitioning from leaner compliance models.

If the new act succeeds in attracting more business to Gibraltar, there will likely be demand for more local staff, though a relatively small labour pool in Gibraltar may pose recruitment challenges.

However, the anticipated UK-EU border agreement is expected to ease the movement of frontier workers from Spain, by removing the need for border checks between Spain and Gibraltar.

There is also a degree of transitional complexity. Although current licensees will be “grandfathered” into the new system, they will still need to undergo fresh applications within six months of the Gambling Act’s commencement.

Uncertainty around licensing categories in Gibraltar’s new Gambling Act

Speaking to iGB, legal experts agree there is a level of uncertainty around how some of the the new rules should be implemented.

Victoria Reed points to the uncertainties around licensing categories: “The government has said marketing carried out ‘in or from Gibraltar’ will generally need its own licence but has also indicated it may carve out some intra-group activity on a case-by-case basis. Until more secondary rules and precedents are published, operators can’t be entirely sure which affiliates, agencies or shared-service teams fall inside scope and which don’t.”

She also highlighted new rules around support services leaving room for interpretation.

”The act lists functions like managed trading, RNGs, hosting and advertising as ‘support services’, but leaves room for interpretation,” Reed adds.

”Multinational groups will need to decide whether in-house teams that straddle multiple hubs — for instance a centralised risk team partly in Gibraltar — require licensing.”

Caetano flags additional guidance could be needed to clarify B2B versus B2C licensing:

“The distinction between B2B and B2C activities is clearer, but some hybrid or cross-border models may require further guidance.”

In essence, it is unclear if dual licensing is needed or whether it could be covered under one tailored licence.

Credibility in a crowded field

Gibraltar’s iGaming sector, which employs more than 3,200 people across 54 operators, continues to be a cornerstone of the peninsula’s economy, generating 20% of its GDP.

Last year the sector contributed £110 million in corporate tax and £40 million in PAYE contributions. There are currently 83 licensees appointed – 49 B2C and 34 B2B.

In a reality where jurisdictions like Malta, the Isle of Man, and emerging offshore hubs are all vying for operator attention, Gibraltar’s message is clear about its brand: credibility, not convenience.

Where a place like Malta offers flexibility, and the Isle of Man applies rigid structure, Gibraltar positions itself in the middle as a risk-based market, but also with regulatory discretion and pragmatism, Reed explains

As Gibraltar’s Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry Nigel Feetham noted in his recent parliamentary budget address, Gibraltar has never operated a “no-questions-asked” model and the jurisdiction expects its licensees to respect local laws in other markets and take local licences where appropriate. This ethos is embedded in the 2025 Act.

“If we drive business away, it will be business we don’t want,” Lyman notes.

The real test begins now, where both regulators and businesses will be adapting to the new act, but the tone is optimistic.

“We’ve already seen renewed interest in the jurisdiction,” says Lyman. Caetano agrees the act “ensures Gibraltar remains at the forefront of the global online gambling industry for years to come”.

The facility opened on Thursday evening, with players having access to a range of facilities. These include more than 80 screens showing live coverage of sports events from around the world.

Customers can place in-person wagers at dedicated betting windows within the venue. In addition, they can access a number of diverse casino table games and physical slot machines located inside the sportsbook.

Other amenities include a large bar area, multiple dining options and seating areas for viewing live sports.

Paddy Power noted that only bets placed inside the venue can be redeemed. Winning bets from UK Paddy Power high street shops will not be paid out at the new location.

The operator also said the sportsbook will not accept its Play Card, which allows players to carry funds over from their online account to play at retail sites in the UK and Ireland. Other retail vouchers will not be valid for use inside the new sportsbook venue.

“That’s right, the big man’s really gone for it this time,” Paddy Power said when announcing the new venue. “He’s curated the ultimate sport lover’s haven that is also the perfect spot for a night out, a bite to eat, to watch the game and to have a flutter if you fancy.

“It’s like the Olympics met a pub and had a beautiful, chaotic baby. And, as Paddy’s getting involved, there’s space to place a flutter. Whether you’re backing a winner or just in it for the drama, placing a bet here feels better than a last-minute equaliser.”

Reforms open doors for expanded land-based gambling

The sportsbook has been made possible by recent reforms within the land-based gambling sector in the UK.

In May, the government published long-awaited draft proposals for land-based casino reforms. These outlined opportunities for operators to increase their gaming machine count and limitations on gambling floor space for casinos.

Licensed casino premises can install up to 80 gaming machines. However, this is only possible provided that the gambling area is larger than 280 sqm and the number of machines does not exceed five times the number of gaming tables used in the casino.

The new reforms also opened the door to physical sports betting inside casinos. Previously, bettors could place a bet on their mobile phone while in a casino, but not via a self-service betting terminal (SSBT).

Not long after the draft reforms were announced, Rank Group said it would take advantage of the new rules. The operator said it would add 882 gaming machines to its UK Grosvenor estate before the end of the year. It was already operating 1,367 machines across its 51-strong venue network.

However, Rank later stated its suite could be increased to 3,112 machines in the next two to three years. It indicated it would engage with government officials in Scotland to further increase its machine offering there.

Published on Thursday, the survey assessed players’ behaviour during 2024. Findings were based on the responses of 19,714 people from all areas of Great Britain.

Of those aged 18 to 34, some 5.3% noted a “severe consequence” as a result of gambling in the past 12 months, compared to 0.8% of those aged 55 and over.

Again, the Gambling Commission’s GSGB survey used the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) to measure both behavioural symptoms of gambling disorder and certain adverse consequences from gambling.

Of all players, 8.8% had a PGSI score of one to two, at the lower end of the spectrum. Some 3.1% scored between three and seven, while 2.7% had a score of eight or more, indicating a problem or being at risk of harm. The commission noted that the latter percentage was in line with the previous year.

Also similar to year one were the severe consequences of gambling. The most reported issue was a relationship breakdown, with 1.6% of respondents flagging this.

Male participants who had gambled in the past 12 months were more likely to experience at least one severe consequence due to their own betting habits than female gamblers. The contrast between men and women was 3.5% against 1.7%.

The Gambling Commission’s GSGB also raised concerns of suicide ideation or attempts, with participants asked if they had thought about taking their own life or had attempted to do so during the past 12 months. Of the 12.2% that said yes, 5.2% said this was in some way related to gambling.

Almost half of surveyed adults gambled in last month

Overall, 48% of adults aged over 18 gambled in the last four weeks, although this decreased to 28% when excluding those who only purchased lottery tickets. This, the commission said, was in line with the first edition of the survey, published last year.

Participants were more likely to gamble online (38%) than in person (29%). However, lottery again played a major factor as, after excluding lottery ticket purchase, online play rate was 16%. This compared to 18% gambling at a physical location.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the National Lottery was the most popular form of gambling, with 31% taking part. Buying tickets for other charity lotteries was next on 16%, followed by scratchcards with 13%.

It was also noted that men were more likely to have gambled in the past four weeks than women. Some 51% of men gambled in the reporting period, compared to 44% of women, which was in line with the 2023 findings.

As to how people felt about gambling, of those who gambled in the past 12 months, 42% said they had a positive experience. This was compared to 21% who rated it negatively.

Some 85% of players said the chance of winning large sums of money was the primary reason that they gambled. Players also listed gambling being fun as another core reason, with this coming in second on 72%.

Number of gamblers accessing help remains low

Other key points from the Gambling Commission’s GSGB included access to help. Just 3.4% of those who gambled in the past 12 months had sought support because of their own gambling.

The most popular source of help was gambling support services at 1.2%, while 1.7% said they accessed mental health services and food banks or welfare organisations.

It was also noted that 3.3% of people reported that someone close to them who gambled had sought some form of support.

“The GSGB is a key building block of the evidence base which helps government, industry and other partners understand both gambling behaviour and potential consequences from gambling,” Gambling Commission Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes said of the statistics.

“This year’s findings deepen our understanding of the consequences from gambling and provide crucial insight into risk profiles among those who gamble most frequently. We strongly encourage operators to use this evidence to consider the risks within their own customer bases.

“Data and research, such as GSGB, is essential to help us identify where our regulatory focus should be and informs our ongoing work to implement player protection recommendations from the Gambling Act review white paper.”

Singapore-based PvX Capital also contributed to the financing round. Midnite’s funding was provided via a specialised user acquisition financing strategy. This is meant to help Midnite invest in growth initiatives like talent acquisition and product development.  

The vehicle, dubbed a House Advantage Fund (HAF), is a direct lending fund managed by Discerning Capital. Midnite CEO Nick Wright said it could “triple down on performance and brand marketing campaigns, while preserving cash for innovation and expansion”.  

The use of a credit facility should remove the risk of unnecessary dilution when scaling the business at speed.  

“The flexibility of the House Advantage structure means we can pursue our long-term strategy with greater conviction and fewer trade-offs,” Wright said in a statement on Wednesday.  

“This arrangement also signifies the strength of the partnership Midnite has with Discerning Capital. The confidence the team has in what we are doing at Midnite allows us to strive for continued growth and execute our strategy to disrupt the gaming industry for good.”  

Midnite closed $10m series B in April

Midnite closed its $10 million series B round in April. This was led by Discerning Capital, the Raine Group and Play Ventures, with additional investment from Venrex and Big Bets. At the time, its total capital raised was over $35 million.  

Its UK sportsbook was launched in 2018 by former daily fantasy sports platform Dribble founders, partnered with Sky Bet. Horse race betting and iGaming were added to the product portfolio in 2023. The operator has grown its team from 60 to 150 in 12 months.  

It operates its betting and iGaming platform entirely in-house and has licences in both the UK and Ireland.  

“For too long, the growth trajectory of online wagering operators has been constrained by the limitations of traditional venture capital or credit, which is hard to obtain across the broader gaming ecosystem,” Discerning Capital managing partner Davis Catlins said of the deal.  

“By tying capital deployment to actual marketing performance, we unlock sustainable, aggressive scale without forcing operators into unnecessary equity dilution or onerous repayment structures. This credit facility sets a new benchmark for how ambitious firms in our sector can finance growth.” 

Reeves made the comments at the Labour Annual Conference after delivering a speech on the penultimate day of the event this weekend. While she did not reference gambling directly during her speech, Reeves hinted in an interview with ITV that gambling tax could be on the rise.

However, she made no indication as to what the increase may look like.

The chancellor is under pressure to raise additional funds to support wider plans, including reducing government borrowing. While she has already implemented some changes, she and the government require more funds, with gambling seemingly sounded out as a target area.

“I do think there’s a case for gambling firms paying more,” Reeves told ITV. “On a personal level, I’ve never bet in my life. They make an important contribution to the economy, but they should pay their fair share of taxes. We’ll make sure that happens.”

An update from the government is expected in the upcoming autumn budget on 26 November.

What could the rejigged gambling tax look like?

Talk of an increase in gambling tax has been rife for most of 2025. In April, the government put forward an initial proposal for a single rate for all remote gambling. This would replace the current, three-banded tax rate system.

However, the proposal has drawn criticism from various quarters. Concerns include the impact of harmonisation on wider issues such as risk and harm and the potential demise of the horse racing sector which relies heavily on the betting sector.

The sector has said increased taxes could hit smaller operators and drive black market activity as consumers seek out cheaper and more innovative options.

Meanwhile, a group of over 100 Labour MPs has also urged against grouping all remote gambling tax under one rate. Writing to the chancellor, the MPs have instead called for a “targeted” levy on online gambling operators active in the UK.

“A single, undifferentiated tax regime risks removing important fiscal levers that currently incentivise lower risk product design and behaviour. It would also weaken the broader public health goal of reducing gambling-related harm; an objective to which this government has rightly committed,” MPs said.

While the MPs said gambling in the UK is “lightly taxed” at 21% of gross gaming yield (GGY), they did not make a suggestion on how much tax should be paid. However, they did make reference to the Social Market Foundation’s (SMF) suggestion.

In July, the SMF proposed raising Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 50%. This, it said, would bring the UK more in line with other jurisdictions across Europe and the US, where online gambling tax rates reach 50% or more.

Industry bodies hit out at higher tax plans

Unsurprisingly, the industry has not responded kindly to the proposals to increase gambling tax. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) slammed the plans put forward by the MPs as “short-sighted”, highlighting the negative impact this could have on the industry.

CEO Grainne Hurst said while she sympathised with Reeves, she cautioned against what she described as a “quick fix” policy in increasing gambling tax. She also said further tax rises risk “degrading” the offer of regulated gambling to a point that customers could turn to the black market.

Increases in tax would be in addition to the new statutory levy, which came into effect on 6 April this year.

Operators currently pay varying tax rates, based on GGY. These depend on the types of gambling offered by an operator and whether they are online or land-based. Levy rates will range from 0.1%, primarily covering land-based activity, up to 1.1% for operations offering online casino.

The Gambling Commission warned operators that do not comply with rules for the statutory levy, including making payments on time, could have their licence revoked.

Last week, more than 100 Labour MPs wrote to Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling for a new levy for online gambling operators to help raise funds for a potential increase in child benefit.

At present, families are faced with a two-child benefit cap, meaning they can only claim for their first two children. However, the government is facing increasing pressure to scrap this and do more to help lift families out of poverty.

The Labour government is yet to confirm whether it would consider making changes to the current system. However, over 100 of its own MPs put their name to a letter that backs the expansion and a proposal as to how the government would generate the funds required to meet demand. This, the MPs said, would be a “targeted” levy on online gambling operators active in the UK.

However, the proposal has been met with criticism by the BGC. The council said it “strongly opposes” higher tax rates, saying such a move would be “short-sighted” and harm jobs, investment and sports funding, while failing to deliver more revenue.

“BGC members already contribute £6.8 billion to the economy, pay £4 billion in taxes and support 109,000 jobs,” the BGC said. “Piling further tax rises onto the sector, on top of reforms that have already cost over £1 billion, risks undermining a responsible industry.

“Every time the Treasury squeezes the regulated sector, it strengthens the unsafe black market, which pays no tax, offers no consumer protection and puts UK jobs and growth at risk.”

BGC CEO sympathises with chancellor

CEO Grainne Hurst also issued a response, in which she sympathised with the task the chancellor has in raising additional funds for wider policies and growing the economy. However, she cautioned against what she described as a “quick fix” policy in increasing gambling tax.

“They have sold this policy as a quick fix, an easy solution, but the truth couldn’t be further from the truth,” Hurst said. “Each month, 22.5 million people enjoy a bet, in bookmakers on hard-pressed high streets, in casinos, which are a pillar of our leisure and tourism sector, plus in bingo halls and online.

“It’s these millions of people who will feel the hit if this government caves to the demands from those who look down their noses at people who enjoy a bet, and who have gleefully heaped more pressure on the chancellor.”

Black market warning on tax rises

Hurst also repeated earlier warnings about the impact of higher tax on illegal activity. She said further tax rises risk “degrading” the offer of regulated gambling to a point that customers could turn to the black market.

“They will be the winners if the anti-gambling lobby gets their way, not less betting, just more gambling with illegal operators,” Hurst said. “Each year 1.5 million Brits stake up to £4.3bn on the growing unsafe gambling black market.

“This black market doesn’t care about player protections, doesn’t back sports and doesn’t pay a penny in tax. And it’s growing daily. The last thing it needs is another leg up in the form of a new tax hike.”

Concluding her response, Hurst urged a “balanced” approach to gambling policies. She added the BGC would be keen to work with the government to form new regulations that benefit all parties.

“Further tax rises now will make matters worse, suppressing growth and risking jobs,” Hurst said. “We want the chancellor to succeed. We want to be a partner in the growth she is so ambitious to deliver. Indeed, we are one of the few sectors ready to deliver it both locally and nationally.

“But we need balanced regulations and a stable tax regime to do that, not more uncertainty. The chancellor faces many pressures; she needs solution, but hitting punters with more taxes won’t solve anything.”

‘Compelling’ case for additional tax, say MPs

In the letter, the MPs said the targeted levy would differ to the proposal that was tabled by the government in April. This would have seen it scrap the three-banded tax rate system and replace it with a single rate for all remote gambling.

“The Gambling Reform All-Party Parliamentary Group and others have submitted responses cautioning against the proposed harmonisation,” the letter said. “Treating all remote gambling activities under one duty fails to reflect well-established differences in risk and harm.

“A single, undifferentiated tax regime risks removing important fiscal levers that currently incentivise lower risk product design and behaviour. It would also weaken the broader public health goal of reducing gambling-related harm; an objective to which this government has rightly committed.”

The MPs acknowledged the work done on the new statutory levy on gambling. This came into effect in April, having been included in the previous government’s Gambling Act white paper in 2023.

MPs said this was an important reform that begins to align funding for research, prevention and treatment. However, they also said the statutory levy does not increase the revenue generated beyond the voluntary contributions that have been in place for some time.

“This is despite the latest Gambling Commission data showing that levels of harm, including among online gamblers, are significantly higher than previously understood,” MPs said.

“In light of the levy’s limited fiscal reach and unchanged contribution levels, there is a compelling case for an additional online gambling levy. This would be a proportionate and appropriate response to evolving public health and fiscal challenges.”

Online gambling tax rate could reach 50%

MPs stopped short of saying what the new levy should be. However, the letter did reference the Social Market Foundation (SMF) and its own work on a possible new levy.

In July, the SMF proposed raising Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 50%. This, it said, would bring the UK more in line with other jurisdictions across Europe and the US, where online gambling tax rates reach 50% or more.

The MPs referenced some of these rates in the letter to demonstrate their belief that online gambling in the UK is “lightly taxed” at 21% of gross gaming yield (GGY).

In the Netherlands, online casino is taxed at 29% of GGY, with this set to rise to 37.8% from next January. Austria has a rate of 50%, while Pennsylvania in the US taxes online slots at 54%.

“Given these international comparisons and the scale of domestic profitability, it is clear that online gambling in the UK is taxed lightly relative to both its growth and its social cost,” MPs said.

MPs keen to protect horse racing

While there was clear support for a higher tax rate for online gambling, the same group of MPs were also keen to set out their backing for horse racing. They said they would not be behind higher rates for this sector.

“Increasing taxes on horse racing risks driving consumers toward more harmful gambling products,” MPs said. “To safeguard this unique industry, horse racing should be protected through a differentiated tax approach that reflects its social and economic importance.”

The MPs concluded: “An online gambling levy – calibrated to reflect both profit and harm – offers exactly that: a credible, fair and immediate source of revenue. It would signal a government serious about aligning fiscal responsibility with social justice and committed to tackling poverty not just with words, but with action.”

Recent research published by the Gambling Commission has sparked a critical discussion around two pressing questions: Who is truly at risk of migrating to the black market? And what should be done about it?

The answers are both complex and troubling.

A key finding in the Gambling Commission’s report on illegal gambling challenges the narrative that only self-excluded individuals and underage users are susceptible to black market activity.

Research reveals that the demographic profiles of legal and illegal gambling consumers are nearly identical – primarily men, younger individuals aged 18–24, frequent gamblers and those scoring 8+ on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).

A recurring theme in the Gambling Commission’s research is the lack of public understanding around regulation. Elizabeth Dunn, partner at legal firm Bird & Bird, says this is a core concern.

“One thing that stands out is the commission’s acknowledgement of the disconnect between consumers recognising the importance of licensed operators and their actual understanding of how to verify licensing status,” Dunn tells iGB. “This may be partly due to lack of consumer awareness, but also an indicator of the increase in sophistication of the black market in recent years.”

Alasdair Lamb, senior associate at legal firm CMS, highlights a standout finding in the report: “That engagement with illegal sites is usually supplementary rather than exclusive, with most respondents reporting that they prefer spending time and money on legal websites.”

An opportunity and a responsibility

Elizabeth Dunn adds that this presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for regulators and operators to engage in more consumer-facing education campaigns to close the gap – an observation which is in line with the Gambling Commission’s recommendations.

This point is echoed by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which cites a recent Frontier Economics study estimating that 1.5 million Brits are now gambling with illegal sites – reportedly spending up to £4.3 billion annually.

“Illegal gambling websites appeal to a worrying range of customers,” a BGC spokesperson said. “More than one in five 18–24-year-olds who bet already use unsafe, unregulated sites. Many black market sites specifically target the most vulnerable, including those who have self-excluded from regulated betting firms.”

The BGC warns that without balanced regulation and stable taxation, more consumers – including mainstream ones – may be pushed into riskier territory, undermining public safety while siphoning money away from licensed operators and, ultimately, the Exchequer.

Challenges to the commission’s report

The results in the Gambling Commission’s report clash with interpretations presented at recent events, such as the Peers for Gambling Reform forum, where it was suggested that only self-excluded players and children were at risk of migrating to the black market.

According to Ismail Vali, CEO of Yield Sec, it is a case of misinterpretation on the Gambling Commission’s behalf – partly, he explained, because the commission’s survey does not include minors in its data.

His company uses military-grade data surveillance to track online black market behaviour in the UK. It has also produced a report on the subject, which was released in early September.

“It clearly shows that the people who are engaging with illegal gambling are people who have no other option. Of all the illegal gambling promotion in the UK, 84% of it is ‘not on GamStop’ search-driven. Yes, there is some mainstream marketplace movement towards illegal gambling in the UK, but generally, where the money is coming from is from children and self-excludes.”

He stresses that data brokers, social media algorithms and SEO manipulation are being used to directly target those who have self-excluded or shown signs of addiction.

Yield Sec’s findings claim that the black market in the UK has exploded – from 0.43% of the market in 2020 to nearly 9% in 2025 – driven by both targeted marketing tactics and regulatory pressure on legal gambling operators.

In its own report, Yield Sec finds that there are currently more than 500 illegal sports betting and casino operators actively targeting the UK, and more than 1,100 affiliates promoting illegal operators.

Exploitation of vulnerability

At the centre of the black market debate is GamStop, the UK’s national self-exclusion scheme.

GamStop – which since 2018 has had more than 600,000 users registered for self-exclusion from all UK-licensed sites – acknowledges that stopping illegal enterprise is a major challenge but maintains it is taking steps:

“We recognise that there is more work to do to remove all advertising of casinos bypassing GamStop and to prevent the advertising in the first place. We are in regular contact with the Gambling Commission’s intelligence and enforcement team, we welcome the Crime and Policing Bill, which will give the Gambling Commission greater powers to act swiftly to take down IP addresses and domain names associated with illegal websites.”

GamStop also points to an Ipsos evaluation of users of unlicensed operators:

“Just 8% of more than 4,600 users said they were using unlicensed or illegal gambling operators. While the activities of black-market operators are a concern, it is important we keep the issue in perspective,” said the spokesperson.

This response from GamStop does not sit well with the Yield Sec CEO, who sees it as a downplaying of a pressing issue.

“If you look at the trajectory in Great Britain, it’s frightening. Since we first talked about this in 2020, it has doubled every year. And now we’re at this horrible height,” said Vali.

He warns that the number of users on illegal platforms will likely continue to grow unless the problem is properly managed – especially in a time when illegal TV and film streaming sites (where illegal gambling sites tend to advertise) are becoming more popular. This is another factor expected to impact the mainstream marketplace.

Where does the responsibility lie?

Overall, said Vali, the responsibility for a safer online gaming environment in the UK lies with the Gambling Commission and GamStop.

“If you set up a scheme like GamStop and you tell vulnerable customers they are safe, surely you should make them safe,” he adds. “And they are not safe in Great Britain right now.

“Go after the supply chain, go after the advertising, go after the social media content. That’s what you can change right here, right now, today.”

Elizabeth Dunn from legal firm Bird & Bird emphasises the regulatory challenge for the industry.

“The primary challenge remains the commission’s limited ability to take effective action against offshore unlicensed operators,” she suggests. “The regulator has increasingly focused on the regulated B2B market to prevent game supply to unlicensed operators and I expect this approach to continue.”

Some 101 MPs – nearly half of Labour’s backbenchers – signed a letter asserting there is a “compelling” case for a “targeted levy on harmful online gambling products”. The letter, written by MPs Alex Ballinger and Beccy Cooper of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Reform, suggested that the money raised should be used to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

Ballinger and Cooper called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to introduce changes recommended by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown made the same call last month.

What gambling tax changes does the IPPR propose?

The IPPR proposes increasing the tax rate on gross gambling yield, with Remote Gambling Duty lifted from 21% to 50%. Machine Games Duty on cash-prize slot machines would rise from 20% to 50% under its proposal, while General Betting Duty on sports betting, online or in betting shops, excluding horse racing, would rise from 15% to 30%.

The IPPR estimates these measures would together raise an extra £3.2 billion ($4.3 billion) in 2026-27 – enough to remove the cap that allows families to claim benefits only for their first two children. The think tank said this would lift 500,000 children out of poverty.

“No child should be growing up in poverty while gambling companies continue to enjoy record profits,” Ballinger wrote. “Harms from gambling place a huge burden on our public services, costing the exchequer over £1bn a year.

“It’s time to confront these excessive profits, reduce gambling-related harm, tackle poverty and ensure gambling is taxed fairly.”

The Betting and Gaming Council, which represents the industry, said increasing taxes on the licensed sector would only strengthen black market operators.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “We strongly oppose proposals to raise taxes on the regulated betting and gaming industry. Such a move would be short-sighted, harming jobs, investment and sports funding, while failing to deliver more revenue.

“Every time the treasury squeezes the regulated sector, it strengthens the unsafe black market, which pays no tax, offers no consumer protection and puts UK jobs and growth at risk.”

Dutch rate hike has led to tax revenue decline

Supporters of the industry also point to international examples. A recent increase in gross gambling revenue rates in the Netherlands has triggered a decline in revenue collected by that nation’s exchequer. After a rise from 30.5% to 34.2% was introduced in January, regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) released a report in August revealing the measure will likely result in a €40 million drop in iGaming revenue. This was in contrast to government forecasts of a €100 million rise in GGR for 2025.

Earlier this month, Dutch State Secretary for Taxation Eugène Heijnen ruled out introducing a new policy to make up for an expected decline in online gambling revenue due to tax increases.

Speaking in parliament, he said: “It is true that the estimate for revenue has been revised downwards this year. This picture is broadly consistent with the expectations communicated by the KSA in a recent report.”

The Licensed Dutch Online Gambling Providers trade body suggested the revenue fall was due to several new restrictive measures enacted over the last year. These include bans on untargeted advertising and sponsorships, new deposit limits and the increased tax burden. It called for the government to act on this and revise the current tax framework.

Online revenue grew by 14% to £44.2 million ($59.7m) in the 12 months to 11 January 2025. Meanwhile, the UK operator’s retail revenues edged up by 3% to £173m. While total revenue increased from £207 million to £217.2 million, underlying earnings (EBITDA) also improved by 20% from £34.7m to £41.8m.

Buzz Bingo’s holding company, Buzz Venus Group, said that the results were “testament to the company’s omnichannel strategy, as the funnel of retail customers continues to convert to online”.

Customer admissions growth

The company highlighted “strong growth in customer admissions”, with around half of its 175,000 new players “in the last 12 months” being under the age of 35, illustrating continuing momentum in 2025.

So far this year, group revenue is up 8% on last year, with a record number of customers in person and online. Group underlying EBITDA year-to-date has increased by 7% on the previous year, and 2% on a like-for-like basis.

“With more Gen Zs and millennials taking up bingo, customer admissions are in growth and up 3% year-on-year over the last quarter and, despite a very hot summer, this is our biggest quarter on record since before Covid,” Buzz Bingo CEO Dominic Mansour said.

Younger customers influx

The growth in the number of younger customers in recent months is a positive step for a brand that has tried to counter its traditional association with older players by ramping up its omnichannel offering.

In late 2024, Buzz Bingo launched a new omnichannel bingo concept, Big Money Live, to run across its digital platforms and land-based clubs.

According to recent Department of Trust UK player transaction data, Buzz Bingo was the fourth most popular brand among over-50s in Q4 of 2024. It ranked 16th in the list of the most popular gambling brands for under-50s, while competing against iGaming and betting incumbents.

Administrative expenses rise

Additionally, the operator relocated its digital business to Gibraltar last year. At the time, Buzz said the move would bring the operator closer to key suppliers and allow it to pursue international opportunities while supporting omnichannel plans.

Buzz Bingo’s FY 2024 results said the move had led to “operational efficiencies”, although the relocation has inevitably incurred costs.  

Administrative expenses increased from £121.7m to £126.8m in the full-year results, leading to total losses widening from £30.9m to £31.7m. Other expenses in 2024 included the acquisitions of Merkur bingo clubs in Cricklewood and Northampton.

Omnichannel and youth focus

In July, the operator secured a £25 million funding commitment from Barclays and investors to support a multi-year investment plan to modernise Buzz Bingo’s clubs to appeal to younger demographics. Initial work to replace legacy club technology and install new electronic bingo terminals is taking place.

It will continue to focus on growing the customer base by “building on Buzz’s player-centric omnichannel offering”. This will include “an enhanced omnichannel customer loyalty programme”.

The operator added: “The group remains well-positioned to capture the growth opportunity in the bingo market as more and more young players seek out great value leisure experiences in their local communities and online.”

Across European markets, governments are imposing or proposing steep gambling tax hikes on operators, many of which last year contributed €3.8 billion in taxes to the European economy as a whole, according to the European Gaming & Betting Association (EGBA).

In most cases, policymakers have said they are turning to the sector to help plug budgetary holes. And gambling is a seemingly easy target for governments that can play into the public health argument against the industry.  

“Gambling has traditionally been viewed as a good source of relatively painless government revenue. Tax policies in European countries are also increasingly focusing on excise taxation, particularly environmental and public health excise duties, to raise much-needed public revenue,” explains Virve Marionneau, associate professor and tax expert, as well as director of the Centre for Research on Addictions, Control and Governance at Helsinki University. 

However, the returns from these gambling tax policies are uncertain and are likely to negatively affect the broader sector. So, what lies behind the political decision-making? 

Netherlands gambling tax hike impact already being felt

Let’s first take a look at what’s going on in the Netherlands. Lawmakers there approved a sharp increase in gambling tax, from 30.5% to 34.2% of GGR, starting in January 2025, with a further rise to 37.8% in 2026.

The Dutch Treasury had expected an additional €200 million in tax revenue annually, but figures from the licensed Dutch online gambling providers, represented by VNLOK, suggest that GGR in the first half of 2025 will be down 25% compared to the previous year, resulting in a shortfall of €200 million. 

Both VNLOK and the Dutch regulator KSA have expressed concern about the government’s plan for a further tax increase. 

When taxes increase on gambling operators, they often pass additional costs on to their customers. This could manifest in higher betting odds, higher fees or less attractive bonuses and promotions. As a result, players may turn to the more lucrative but also riskier unlicensed market. 

“The tax hike will have a negative impact on our market. Channelisation rates will decrease. We are worried about that, because we believe a strong legal market is key in combating illegal offerings,” Marloes Derks, spokesperson for KSA, tells iGB. 

Despite this, the Dutch government has stated that its tax policy will not change, even though expected revenue is falling short of expectations.

In accordance with budgetary rules, windfalls and shortfalls in tax revenue are reflected in the balance after policy is adopted. Therefore, the revenue shortfall, from this perspective, is not seen as grounds for a compensatory policy, according to State Secretary for Taxation Eugène Heijnen, who addressed the Dutch parliament earlier this month. 

A strategy doomed to fail 

The Dutch tax hike has drawn attention from other markets. 

“As I understand it, the message from Dutch politics is that they consider the concept of channelisation to be irrelevant. They simply ignore it in favour of various moral views on gambling. And then, of course, it becomes easy to raise taxes,” says Gustaf Hoffstedt, secretary general of BOS, the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling. 

He observes a trend across Europe of tightening conditions for licensed gambling companies, with tax increases being just one example. 

“An important component of that trend is the lack of interest in how such deteriorations affect the ability of licensed gambling companies to keep out unlicensed competitors,” Hoffstedt says. 

In his home country of Sweden, the Ministry of Finance was expected to raise €50 million a year through an increase in tax from 18% to 22% on GGR, effective from July 2024. But Hoffstedt – who calls the political reasoning behind the tax hike “profit hunger” – believes those figures are more likely to be around €20 million-$40 million. And it will come at a cost, he adds. 

“Reduced channelisation and around a thousand new gambling addicts as a result of the transition from licensed to unlicensed gambling,” he predicts. 

Trend across Europe 

Looking toward Eastern Europe and Tier 2 markets, Romania has imposed a 27% GGR tax on online operators from July 2025, up from 21%, and is also introducing higher licensing fees.

In the Czech Republic, the government increased the GGR tax for online betting, bingo and poker from 23% to 30% in 2024 to fund public spending. 

In Slovakia, where activity in the online casino market rose by almost 30% year-on-year in 2024, Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba has called the gambling industry “profiteers of human misery”. The government has proposed raising the tax rate for online gambling to 30%. 

Meanwhile, in Germany, every euro wagered on slot machines and poker faces a 5.3% levy. Because of this rule, up to 80% of online slot play now takes place with unlicensed operators, estimates the German Online Casino Association. German online casino tax revenue saw a decline of 16% in 2024 and, since 2022, there has been a 47% drop. 

France is already one of Europe’s most expensive markets to operate in, but the government is planning to expand GGR taxation and charges. It aims to generate an additional €1.6 billion in gambling-related revenue. 

“A few European jurisdictions like Malta and Estonia stand out with exceptionally low tax rates to attract onshore gambling operators. Other countries, like France, use high tax rates as a means to control entry to the market. The aim of French gambling policy has been to keep the number of licensees low,” says Marionneau, tax expert from Helsinki University. 

UK gambling tax decision will affect the whole sector 

And then there is the UK – Europe’s biggest market for online gambling – and for a long time, known in the industry as the voice of reason in Europe when it comes to a balanced approach to gambling regulation. However, for the industry, that perception may be about to change.

In April, the UK government proposed bringing the current three-level tax rate system for remote gambling under one consolidated rate. 

The industry has expressed concerns over the changes, believing it could result in all gambling verticals facing a 21% duty.

Several voices are pushing for a much bigger tax increase on the gambling sector. Among them, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). They argue that a tax increase on the sector should be used to help fight the rising child poverty in the UK.

IPPR has recommended increasing remote gaming duty from 21% to 50%, and machine games duty from 20% to 50% of operator profit. General betting duty would rise from 15% to 25%, estimating that this could generate around €1.5 billion. 

The UK government is expected to present its plans in the 2025 autumn budget on 26 November.

UK government sending mixed signals

The UK’s Betting and Gaming Council has called the proposal “reckless” because it will drive players toward the unlicensed market, a claim that IPPR has chosen to dismiss. 

“There appear to be three drivers here: the economy, policy and politics. HM Treasury keeps all taxes under review and we know that it has been looking at online gambling for a while. It may take the view that the online gambling market can sustain higher levels, which will be unresented by the population at large,” says Dan Waugh, partner at Regulus Partners. 

The government is sending mixed signals regarding its attitude toward the gambling industry, and this has raised alarm bells, he says. 

“The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) adheres to the traditional view that gambling is a legitimate pastime that can involve negative health consequences. It therefore favours a balance of freedom and protection. The Department of Health and Social Care, on the other hand, perceives gambling as the ‘new tobacco’ and wishes to do various unspeakable things to it enroute to prohibition.  

“Prudent operators will be looking at how they can mitigate the costs of any tax increases.” 

Whatever happens in the UK will affect the entire market in Europe, says Hoffstedt. 

“The UK, together with Denmark, has been able to show that it is possible to combine high channelisation with high consumer protection. If channelisation in the UK declines in the future, it will negatively affect all gambling markets in Europe.” 

Hoffstedt hopes that governments will eventually recognise the negative consequences. 

“In the end, it becomes obvious to everyone that a gambling market that lacks consumers – when they’ve gone to the unlicensed gambling market – lacks relevance and legitimacy. It is a strategy that is doomed to fail in every jurisdiction that uses it.” 

These associations have become increasingly pivotal in challenging policymakers and holding regulators to account against tightening policies across Europe.  

But LiveScore CEO Sam Sadi told the audience he believed they faced an impossible job in representing the entire sector, due to the conflicting interests of large and small operators. 

Are some welcoming incoming restrictions?

Sadi said some tier one players were welcoming new measures like advertising restrictions and tax hikes, as they help to consolidate a market and improve the position of leading operators.  

“You’ll see some super large operators being able to absorb advertising restrictions or increased taxes and even benefit, because the marketplace consolidates at the top and smaller operators have to leave the market.” 

In Spain, Codere Online has said on numerous occasions that it has been impacted by the rollback of advertising restrictions in the market in 2024.  

In November, Codere Online CFO Oscar Iglesias said the reintroduction of welcome bonuses had had a slightly negative impact on profit margins in Spain in Q3 due to the costs involved and increased competition from newer operators.   

“When competition is higher, the prices are increasing both in digital and in traditional media, which eventually leads to a higher CPA and then later, maybe to a slower ROI (return on investment) until we are able to cover those CPAs,” CEO Aviv Sher told analysts during the operator’s Q3 earnings call on 27 November.    

Sadi said these conflicting interests made it “an almost impossible job to represent the entire industry, where so many objectives are in place”.  

Gambling trade bodies should define goal of entire industry

The mood across many of the panels discussing the challenging position facing the sector in Europe and further afield was particularly negative throughout the event.  

Many insisted the continued uncertainty around new regulations and the political stability in some markets across Europe were proving hugely challenging to navigate.  

FDJ CFO & Strategy Officer Pascal Chaffard told the audience that trade bodies should be working to represent as many operators as possible across the global sector. 

He said: “The purpose of those trade associations is to define what is the goal of the whole industry and not let one or two black sheep damage our reputation. 

“If you have one black sheep in the industry, it will let down the reputation of the entire industry.” 

On tax, the European leaders’ panel discussed how increasing tax rates are hindering growth across various markets.

BoyleSports CEO Vlad Kaltenieks said: “This is a big debate and I look at it from the overall social and economic impact.

“My real desire is to build a sustainable environment. And that looks like an environment where companies can continue to grow and innovate and invest in technology and employment to build that ecosystem for the economy to flourish.  

“Tax is one of these vehicles that can really affect how the companies move in that direction. So if the tax regime is clear and beneficial, that could be very productive. If it is becoming more restricted, it can lead to uncertainty and problems within the wider market,” he added.

Established in 2008, the ABSG has advised the regulator on reducing gambling harms and ensuring safer gambling for 17 years. This was in line with its National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.

However, the strategy has now concluded and, according to the commission, delivered its “key milestones”. The regulator added it will now focus on new arrangements “better aligned to the next phase of research and regulation”.

During its operating years, the ABSG contributed to several key developments in regulation. These included recognising gambling harms as a public health issue and helping establish the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP).

The shift follows the introduction of the statutory levy, announced in November 2024. As part of the levy, responsibility for research and funding to prevent gambling harms has been shifted from GambleAware under the voluntary code, to government-appointed national healthcare bodies.

On the back of securing additional funding from the new levy, the Gambling Commission plans to establish a new research-focused expert group to support expanded research.

‘Huge contribution’ to gambling regulation

Gambling Commission Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes paid tribute to the ABSG in a statement by the regulator on 19 September. He said that while it played an “important” role in new regulation, it is the “right time” to end its operations.

“ABSG has played an important role in shaping how we think about gambling harms, and embedding lived experience perspectives into regulation,” Rhodes said.

“As we move into a new phase with the implementation of research programmes funded by the statutory levy, our priority is to ensure we have the right expert input to help inform our work.

“This is the right time to close ABSG and establish new arrangements that reflect the future needs of our gambling regulation and research.”

Helen Child, head of governance at the regulator, added: “ABSG made a huge contribution to gambling regulation and the commission. I am grateful for the insight, engagement and challenge each and every member has provided.”

Another casualty of statutory levy

The ABSG is not the only responsible gambling setup to fall by the wayside in the wake of the statutory levy.

In July, GambleAware confirmed it will halt all activities and transition its work to the British government by the end of March 2026. It said this was following the introduction of the new levy.

GambleAware has, however, been supportive of the levy since it was proposed within the government’s white paper. All work historically delivered by the charity will transition to the government and new commissioners across England, Scotland and Wales.

The “Illegal online gambling: Consumer awareness, drivers and motivations” report, the first in a series of studies, explores several concerns related to black market websites. These include what attracts consumers to these sites and who are the players most likely to gamble with illegal operators.

One of the key concerns flagged by the regulator is an apparent lack of awareness of illegal operators. The report found that most players had low awareness of unlicensed and illegal websites, while others said they did not know how to tell whether an operator held a licence.

However, there was a general consensus that consumers thought it important for websites to hold a licence. The report also found that people used illegal sites to supplement their gambling on licensed websites. No single respondent said they gambled only with illegal sites.

Reasons vary for using black market websites

As to why users turn to unlicensed sites, the Commission flagged several reasons. Among these was access to a wider range of games and content than what is available on approved websites. Some consumers also said they found better odds on unlicensed sites and could gamble with other currencies, including certain cryptocurrency.  

As one worry for the Commission, some consumers said they saw illegal sites as a way to avoid safer gambling measures. Unlicensed websites are not subject to the same requirements as approved operators, meaning players do not need to be subject to measures such as age and ID verification and deposit limits.

There was also concern over how players who were self-excluded used unlicensed websites as a way to resume gambling before their period of self-exclusion had ended. As with other safer gambling measures, unlicensed sites do not need to integrate with the self-exclusion scheme in Britain.

Self-excluded players returning to gambling

People who had self-excluded were identified as one of four major consumer groups that tend to gamble with black market sites. The report also highlighted that “skilled players” sometimes knowingly gamble with these operators in order to use currencies other than the British pound.

Another group was titled “social explorers”, referring to those who find the illegal sites on social media or forums or through friends. These players often test the websites before making larger spends to help minimise risks.

The final group, which tied in with the awareness concern, was identified as “accidental tourists”. These users found the illegal websites by accident and therefore engaged with the illegal market unknowingly.

Younger men aged between 18 and 24 were most likely to gamble with illegal websites. The report also stated that those with a Problem Gambling Severity Index of eight or higher would gamble the most with these operators.

Online football betting, slots, bingo and virtual games were among the most popular forms of gambling on illegal sites.

Commission calls for action over awareness

The regulator noted several limitations with the results. These included the report’s reliance on self-reporting of player behaviour throughout the study. It also noted how only people who had gambled in the past four weeks, excluding the National Lottery, were surveyed.

However, the Gambling Commission was still able to draw several conclusions from the first report in the series. Its top recommendation was for improved consumer awareness and education to help people distinguish between licensed and unlicensed sites, as well as to understand the risks of using black market sites.

It also suggested targeted interventions for the specific audience groups, as the motivations for play differ among them. Related to this was a recommendation for campaigns to help shift consumer behaviour and reduce risk.

The regulator also said there should be greater regulatory scrutiny of payment methods, marketing, affiliate practices and cross-border advertising and content to reduce access to unlicensed sites. In addition, the commission urged ongoing monitoring to keep track of play rates.

“The illegal online market is unsafe, unfair and criminal,” Commission chief executive Andrew Rhodes said. “That is why the Commission has invested heavily in this area in recent years.

“To be even more effective in combatting the illegal market, it’s vital that we have both a deep and broad understanding of how it operates, and this insight is a crucial step in building that understanding in a very complex area to research.

“We are determined to protect consumers and maintain confidence in the regulated sector by taking robust, evidence-led action. Since April 2024 we’ve seen a ten-fold increase in our disruption activity, and we intend to continue to work with a wide range of partners to build on this success.”

Thursby informed the group’s board that he does not intend to stand for re-election. He will formally step down as chair and from the board at Rank’s annual general meeting on 15 October.

Thursby joined the Rank board as a non-executive director in August 2017. He then went on to become chair in October 2019.

Prior to his time with Rank, Thursby was chief executive of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi from 2013 to 2016. He also held various senior roles at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, following 20 years with Standard Chartered Bank.

“For a number of months now I have been reflecting on this exciting inflection point for Rank, with the long-awaited legislative reforms for casinos now being implemented and a digital business which is beginning to scale,” Thursby said. “I believe now is the right time to step down.

“I do so with a combination of pride in the progress we have made, including in terms of governance processes and procedures, and also with confidence that Rank is in excellent shape to write the next exciting chapter of its rich history.”

Rank commences search to replace Thursby

Confirming the news, Rank said a process to identify a replacement is “well advanced”. It added that an appointment is “close”, and an announcement is expected within the next couple of months.

Karen Whitworth, senior independent director at Rank, will serve as interim chair. Lucinda Charles-Jones will become interim senior independent director, and Keith Laslop interim audit committee chair.

Rank CEO John O’Reilly paid tribute to the outgoing Thursby, describing him as a “committed and talented” chair.

“I would like to thank him personally for his unwavering support and for his dedication to the Rank Group and to its stakeholders,” O’Reilly said. “Our recent successes and outlook are due in no small part to his sure-footed guidance and invaluable leadership.”

Positive FY25 at Rank amid changing regulations

The news comes after Rank in August published its FY25 financial results, revealing year-on-year growth. Net gaming revenue rose 8% to £795.4 million ($1.08 billion), with growth apparent across all core segments.

Net profit was also higher, rocketing 248% to £44.6 million. However, in its analysis of the year, Rank noted the impact of new regulations. The statutory levy for research prevention and treatment of problem gambling was introduced from April 2025 in the UK, rising from an existing voluntary rate of 0.1% to 1.1%. A maximum staking limit for online slots play of £5, and £2 for consumers aged under 25, was also implemented in April 2025.

According to Rank, the impact on digital profitability in the final quarter of the year was approximately £1 million. Therefore, it said the expected annualised impact will be in the region of £4 million going forwards.

On the flip side, the other changes in regulation noted by Thursby in his leaving notes have allowed Rank to expand operations. Work is ongoing to install more terminals across its UK estate. The group is also seeking to introduce sports betting at its venues for the first time.

An investigation led by the Gambling Commission discovered several breaches of licence conditions. Maple was also found to have fallen foul of the Social Responsibility Code.

The Gambling Commission said that between June 2023 and July 2024 Maple’s risk assessment efforts were not up to scratch. It noted how several key risks were omitted from the assessment and that its policy was lacking in sufficient detail.

Setting out its findings, the regulator flagged failings within the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) 12.1.1 (1). This refers to assessing the risks of a business being used for money laundering and terrorist financing.

Failings led to ‘significant’ player loss

Also of issue was LCCP 12.1.1(2), covering the policies, procedures and controls to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. Between May and October 2024, the Gambling Ccommission said Maple had failed to ensure it had appropriate policies in place

The regulator noted controls for detecting and taking action regarding duplicate and linked accounts were not always effective.

It gave one example of how a user had evaded automated controls by switching the order of one of their first names and surname. Lottomart and Maple only identified the issue the following day after the player had already made “significant” deposits and losses.

Maple was also found in breach of LCCP 12.1.1(3), which also references AML and social responsibility policies. The commission said Maple failed to ensure policies and controls were implemented effectively.

The regulator noted a delay between a money laundering risk being identified and action being taken. In turn, this meant users could transact beyond some intended thresholds. Offering an example, customers whose identities had not been fully verified were able to continue transacting beyond the financial threshold set for customer due diligence checks.

However, there was no evidence of criminal spend or the acceptance of funds from people subject to financial sanctions.

Social responsibility failings at Lottomart.com

Meanwhile, the commission said Maple did not always ensure customer monitoring efforts were implemented effectively.

The regulator also took issue with SRCP 3.4.3 paragraph 4 on monitoring customer activity for potential gambling harm. Again, it said Maple’s processes were not always effective and flagged various “weaknesses” in its systems.

One example of this was a player being able to open a second account despite rules intended to prevent players from doing so. The same player then made “significant” deposits before their second account was identified.

Another failing was flagged in reference to SRCP 3.4.3 paragraph 5, which requires licensees to use indicators to identify harm. The regulator said Maple’s controls were “inadequate”, highlighting how some large wins were followed by high staking.

Finally, the Gambling Commission noted SRCP 3.4.3 paragraph 11 on acting on strong indicators of harm by implementing automated processes. It said Maple’s policies did not adequately define what it considered to be “strong” indicators, with no associated automated actions.

Maple faces payment despite acting on failings

Concluding its findings, the commission said Maple agreed to a £360,000 payment in lieu of a financial penalty, including a divestment of £50,000. The money will be divested to socially responsible purposes and to cover the costs of the investigation.

The Gambling Commission noted how Maple “swiftly” put in place an action plan designed to remedy the failings. It also co-operated fully with the investigation and accepted the failings at an early stage.

The regulator also confirmed that Maple was aware of certain issues with its systems prior to being contacted over the issue. However, an effective fix was only implemented after discussions held during the assessment. Ultimately, this led to the payment agreement.

“The cornerstone of every licensed business must be the proper implementation of effective policies and procedures aimed at making gambling crime free and safer,” said John Pierce, director of enforcement at the Gambling Commission.

“This operator is now being held to account for anti-money laundering and social responsibility failings uncovered during a compliance assessment.

“We would advise all operators to read the Maple International Ventures public statement and consider whether their own policies and procedures are both effective and are being successfully implemented.”

Arrest over horse race fixing in UK

A 42-year-old man has been arrested in connection with allegations of fixing horse races in the UK.

The unidentified man is alleged to have committed offences under section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005. This section concerns cheating at gambling or assisting someone else with cheating.

The arrest was part of a joint investigation by Greater Manchester Police and the Gambling Commission. This launched following reports of suspicious betting activity linked to horse races earlier this year.

The commission said it would not be commenting further on the case at this time.

Bragg seeks to allay fears over cyber incident

Bragg Gaming Group has played down a recent cyber incident, saying the issue has been resolved.

Bragg revealed the cybersecurity incident on 16 August. It said that it took appropriate steps to mitigate any potential impact of the breach, working with independent experts.

Bragg said there is no indication that any personal information was affected, nor was there any impact on its ability to operate. It also sought to reassure customers about the security of its game titles.

“The company has experienced no negative impact on its revenue or profitability and does not expect that the cost of responding to the incident will have a material financial impact on the company,” Bragg added.

Playbook Fusion enters Netherlands with Bingoal

Playbook Fusion has made its debut in the Dutch market through a partnership with Bingoal.

The deal will see Bingoal become the first operator in the Netherlands to launch Playbook Football. This real-money virtual football management betting game allows users to build teams, place bets, receive in-game rewards and climb divisions.

Bingoal customers can access the game across both the operator’s casino and sportsbook zones.

“This is a unique concept that offers gamification and persistence our bettors are seeking,” Bingoal Casino Product Manager Dany Salmon said. “We are confident that it will resonate well with our player base across Sports and Casino verticals.”

Games Global opens first live dealer studio in Brazil

Another new market entry comes from Brazil, where Games Global partnered with Spin Gaming to establish the country’s first live dealer studio.

Powered by OnAir, Spin Gaming will deliver live game streaming and technical support to its partners.

The agreement also marks the creation of the first Brazilian academy specialising in training live casino dealers. This, the two companies said, will help generate hundreds of jobs for people in Brazil.

“This landmark deal with Spin Gaming not only highlights Games Global’s unwavering commitment to delivering tailored solutions to local markets but also highlights our drive to support iGaming infrastructure in emerging jurisdictions,” said Ricardo Regner, director of LatAm at Games Global.

Paf lands Finnish Ski Association deal

Paf has signed a long-term partnership agreement with the Finnish Ski Association.

The deal runs through 2030, with Paf serving as the official main partner of the Finnish Ski Association. This will become effective when the new Finnish licensing system enters into force, provided Paf secures a licence.

The agreement covers the national A-teams in cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping. It also includes the under-23 and under-20 national teams in cross-country skiing.

In addition, Paf will be an official partner of the FIS World Cup events in Ruka and Lahti, as well as the Finnish Cup in cross-country skiing.

“We are truly excited about this new main partnership with the Finnish Ski Association,” Paf Manager Thomas Näsman said. “Our shared values provide an excellent foundation for building a long-lasting and successful collaboration.”

Revenue for the six months to 30 June reached €387 million ($452.3 million), Playtech said in its H1 results announcement. This lagged behind the €429.7 million reported in H1 2024.

The new-look agreement with Caliente caused a 9% drop in B2B revenue to €347.6 million, as Playtech stopped receiving an additional B2B services fee during the period. As such, revenue from the joint venture declined during the first half.

Announced in September 2024, the new agreement signalled the end of a dispute between the two companies, with Playtech holding a 30.8% interest in Caliplay as of 1 April this year.

Excluding the impact of the revised agreement, Playtech’s B2B revenue was up 3% year-on-year. Playtech maintained the joint venture is “ideally placed to deliver significant value” for the group in the mid-term.

“Our revised agreement with Caliente Interactive, which completed in March, sets both parties up for continued success in the future,” Playtech CEO Mor Weizer said. “Caliente Interactive paid its first dividends in the second half of the year following a period of strong performance.”

Caliente impact clear to see with B2B decline

Taking a closer look at H1 data, the biggest B2B decline came in Latin America – on the back of the revised Caliente agreement – with revenue in this market falling 32% to €87.7 million.

UK B2B revenue dipped 3% to €64.2 million. Playtech reported growth across new and existing licensees but absorbed a decline in revenue from an operator continuing to insource their self-service betting terminals.

There was better news in Europe, however, where revenue climbed 4% to €102 million. The supplier said this was primarily driven by strengths in Poland, Spain and Switzerland. It added that it continues to scale its product offering across European markets. Rest of world revenue increased 27% to €6.6 million.

Playtech also saw growth in the US and Canada, with revenue jumping 64% to €21.8 million. In the US, revenue more than doubled, due to a combination of increased wallet share with existing licensees and the impact of successful launches with new operators in 2024.

The group went live during the year with several major brands including DraftKings, FanDuel and Delaware North.

Playtech returns to B2B focus with Snaitech sale

H1 also saw Playtech complete the sale of Snaitech to Flutter Entertainment in a deal worth approximately €2.3 billion. This lined up with the supplier’s switch in strategy to become a pure-play B2B supplier.

Also forming part of this new approach was the sale of HappyBet, which went through on 28 May. The German-facing brand was sold to Pferdewetten AG subsidiary NetX Betting, just two months after Playtech began the sale process.

UK affordability regs hit Playtech H1 B2C revenue

As a result of these sales, Playtech H1 B2C revenue totalled €41 million, down 17% year-on-year. As HappyBet was disposed of part-way through H1, Playtech only drew €7.8 million from the business.

The remaining €33.2 million of B2C revenue came from Sun Bingo and other B2C activity. This was 17% lower than the previous year, with Playtech blaming increased regulation including financial vulnerability verifications in the UK. This, it said, resulted in a drop in overall player activity.

While Wiezer said recognised revenue was down, he talked up what he saw as a “strong” performance in H1. He said Playtech transitioning “back to its roots” as a predominantly pure-play B2B business will be of value in the long term.

“We continue to see significant growth opportunities in the market for Playtech,” he said. “I am confident that the combination of our market-leading technology and talented people puts us in a strong position to deliver on this exciting potential.”

Earnings-wise, Playtech reported €12.9 million in EBITDA, which was 87% short of €99.3 million in 2024. However, adjusted EBITDA came in at €91.6 million. Although 16% less than the previous year, this was in line with expectations.

Pre-tax loss for the period hit €58.8 million, while after tax, loss from continuing operations stood at €78.1 million. However, when including €1.65 billion in profit from continuing operations – namely the Snaitech sale – this left a healthy bottom line net profit of €1.58 billion, compared to just €5.9 million in 2024.

But when adjusting this bottom line to discount one-off items, including selling Snaitech to Flutter, net profit was €93.1 million, marginally ahead of €92.3 million last year.

What can we expect for Playtech in H2?

In terms of the rest of the year, Playtech said it has had a “solid” start to H2 with normal seasonality.

It has plans to increase investment for growth in both the US and Brazil. However, it flagged certain headwinds in Brazil and Colombia. In its May trading statement, Playtech highlighted Brazil’s transition to a regulated market, as well as Colombia introducing a temporary VAT charge.

Despite this, it remains on track to deliver FY 2025 adjusted EBITDA ahead of expectations. As such, it has retained its guidance of between €250 million and €300 million for the full year.

“These results show the strong start Playtech is making in its transition back to its roots as a predominantly pure-play B2B business,” Weizer said.

“I’m very pleased we have reported earnings ahead of expectations from earlier in the year, reflecting the strong performance across our key markets.”

Momentum now powers the National Lottery operations across 43,500 retailers in the UK. Scientific Games said the switch represented the largest technology conversion in global lottery industry history.

Allwyn sought to replace the lottery’s legacy 2009 central gaming system, integrating several new systems across multiple suppliers. This saw 43,500 retailer terminals converted to the software ahead of a full rollout of Scientific Games’ WAVE terminals in August.

The tech upgrade took place between 2-4 August, with National Lottery systems shutting down completely to allow for the transition. Scientific Games completed the switch overnight, with almost all retailers resuming ticket sales soon thereafter. Allwyn and Scientific Games then partnered to deliver additional technical support to remaining retailers, with this process now complete.

Anchored by Scientific Games’ central lottery gaming system, Momentum includes several value-add products such as the Gem suite of enterprise, Salesforce, claims and licensing applications. Momentum is also used to power lotteries across North America, Europe and Oceania.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver the National Lottery that the UK deserves,” Allwyn CEO Andria Vidler said of the shift.

“We’ve made unprecedented and much-needed changes. These are moving us closer to achieving our vision for the National Lottery, restoring its magic and significantly increasing its positive impact on lives across the UK.”

Further improvements ahead for National Lottery

The tech upgrade is just one of the changes Allwyn has planned for the National Lottery. It is also switching up the lottery’s digital offering, with upgrades set to be rolled out in due course.

Scientific Games has committed to supporting Allwyn with its National Lottery plans. Early in 2024, in line with Allwyn assuming control of the lottery, the supplier opened a new logistics facility in Warrington in the UK to serve National Lottery retailers.

“We continue to be impressed with the smooth execution of this large-scale, collaborative project with Allwyn UK,” Scientific Games CEO Patrick McHugh said.

“A network of more than 43,000 terminals was switched from the legacy system to the new Scientific Games systems, with retailers nationally selling two hours ahead of the planned cut-over schedule.

“Our global technology teams are inspired as we have a number of systems conversions actively under way.”

Allwyn’s Vidler added: “These major upgrades will allow us to deliver on our promise to bring new, exciting games; a better player experience; and our commitment to double returns to good causes by the end of the 10-year licence.

“We’re very grateful to our players, our retailers and our partners, stakeholders and colleagues for their ongoing support. We look forward to working with Scientific Games to deliver the further upgrades to the National Lottery’s digital channels.”

Regulatory action still a possibility over delays

However, while Allwyn remains committed to further upgrades, it could be penalised over delays to this process.

Great Britain’s Gambling Commission is said to be weighing up regulatory action over failure to deliver on promises made during its successful bid for the fourth National Lottery licence. According to The Times, the regulator is concerned that Allwyn has not met certain contractual milestones since securing the licence.

Among the mooted changes are reduced ticket prices for National Lottery draws from £2 to £1. This has yet to be implemented despite Allwyn pledging to do so prior to securing the licence.

A statement sent to iGB by Allwyn in July said of the delay: “Due to the delay to the technical cutover, we have missed a contractual milestone in the Enabling Agreement.

“We continue to work together with the Gambling Commission on the impact of this missed milestone under the terms of the Enabling Agreement. The Gambling Commission is still investigating what, if any, enforcement action might be taken against Allwyn in relation to the missed milestone.”

The commission said it would not comment on individual cases before any decisions are made.

Speaking alongside Reeves at Intralot’s Capital Markets Day in London Monday, current Intralot CEO Nikolaos Nikolakopoulos said the combined group had ambitions to launch one or two B2C products in a new market every year, once the merger completes.  

Intralot to launch B2C in new market every year

In at least one case, Nikolakopoulos said the group would operate a joint venture with a local media company to leverage its brand and reach within the market. Nikolakopoulos did not say which market or media brand the operator would partner with, but he said the strength of the group’s brand “would make a difference”.  

On Bally’s presence in the UK, Reeves said Bally’s was the number two brand for iGaming in the market, with a 14% share of the total market. Today the operator also maintains a small presence in Spain, although the UK remains 94% of its total revenue split.  

“We’re very UK dominant. [But] this combination [with Intralot] allows us to spread out our revenue. It’s good and bad being UK dominant, you know? You might say you’re too concentrated. [But] regulation means that you end up with a stable, reliable business,” he told analysts and investors.  

“We have six million players in our database and one million monthly unique players. That means that we actually have a relatively low spend per player, but that makes it sustainable forever.”  

UK online stake limits improved Bally’s retention efforts

Retention, Reeves said, was a particular strength for Bally’s, thanks to the operator’s efforts to adapt to increased regulation in the UK.  

Bally’s adapted its offering to provide players more chances to win on online slots but at lower multiples, like at 10x of their stake. Implemented as a response to online slots stake limits enforced in April, he said enabling players to win more often had improved the overall customer experience.  

“We’ve seen that boost customer attention. And hence boost revenue, because players don’t have as many bad experiences,” Reeves said.  

“Igaming growth was driven by return to play optimisation strategies. We actually adjusted what we paid back to players more because of regulation. 

“We’re always thinking about what is the right environment for customers to engage with. Also, normal organic market growth has occurred, boosting our revenue, and our active user base has increased. It makes sense given we’re retaining customers better.”  

Combined Intralot Bally’s group eyes €200 billion global TAM

Nikolakopoulos told the audience he expected the group to see a “significant upside [from] the monetisation of player data and the retention of players”.  

In its FY2024 results, Bally’s International Interactive reported €709 million in run-rate revenue, alongside a 40% adjusted EBITDA margin. Reeves also said the Bally’s business had maintained a consistent CAGR of 10% since 2019. 

As a combined group, Intralot expects the UK and Spain’s iGaming market to have a cumulative TAM of €14 billion by 2029.  

Globally, it forecasts a TAM of €200 billion by 2029 across iGaming, online sports betting and its existing lottery services.

Intralot Bally’s merger to complete by end of year 

Intralot announced its €2.7bn acquisition of the Bally’s International interactive business in July, noting the deal would likely close by Q4 of this year.  

The aim of the combination is to create a global iGaming and lottery leader with €1.1 billion in annual revenues. The new combined group will be listed on the Athens Stock Exchange and operate B2C and B2B lottery operations in a vast number of markets globally.  

The group will also benefit from an agreement in place with Bally’s International which will see it gain a share of the business’ profits, once it becomes profitable. 

“We’re maintaining exposure to the US without taking on the downside risk, which is significantly valuable,” Reeves said during the presentation. The group expects to launch its own iGaming product in the US, utilising Intralot’s relationships and expertise as a B2B lottery provider in the market.  

Its bullish B2C expansion plan also includes the potential for M&A, in acquiring local brands.  

“Although it’s not a primary focus to go after M&A, we think that there could be some selective acquisitions because of the fragmentation that you see across the European B2B and B2C gaming space,” Reeves added.  

Revenue in the three months to 30 June 2025 amounted to €2.27 billion ($2.66 billion), data from Allwyn showed. This was clear of €2.15 billion in Q2 last year, while the 6% increase was in line with overall growth seen in Q1 of 2025.

Meanwhile, revenue from gaming activities, referred to by Allwyn as gross gaming revenue (GGR), also climbed 6% year-on-year to €2.19 billion. Of this, 42% was attributed to digital operations, up 16% from the previous year.

“I am very pleased to report another quarter of strong financial performance following our strong first quarter, reflecting continued successful execution of our growth strategies,” Chvatal said. “Total revenue increased 6% year-on-year in the second quarter on a reported basis. This is in line with our growth rate in the first quarter, and 9% year-on-year excluding a one-off benefit to GGR in the comparative period.

“This excellent performance reflected our focus on growth in the digital channel, alongside the dedication of our teams across markets to enhancing the customer proposition and the player experience. As always, we delivered this growth while maintaining our commitment to player safety and upholding our responsibilities to all stakeholders.”

UK GGR tops €1.09 billion in Q2

Breaking down its Q2 performance, Allwyn said numerical lotteries drew the most GGR at €1.22 billion, up 8% from last year.

Instant lotteries GGR climbed 3% to €355 million, while iGaming was up 13% to €191 million and video lottery terminal (VLT) and casino GGR 5% to €231 million. The only decline came in sports betting, with GGR in this sector dipping 2% to €185 million.

Geographically, the UK continued to lead the way. This has been the case since Allwyn took control of the UK National Lottery in February 2024. For Q2, GGR in the UK reached €1.09 billion, up 7% year-on-year.

Detailing this growth, Allwyn highlighted the performance of EuroMillions, which benefited from favourable jackpot cycles and successful promotion events. Online instant win games also saw growth, helped by new game launches and increased player activity. It added that unusually high levels of prize payouts in the comparative period supported top-line growth.

“We remained focused on the ongoing execution of our plans to transform the UK National Lottery,” Allwyn said. “This included upgrading legacy technology infrastructure that has long constrained new product development and innovation, to support future commercial initiatives and the further enhancement of the customer proposition.”

This improvement work continued post-Q2, with Allwyn announcing several developments. Above all was a major tech upgrade, where, from 2-4 August, Allwyn carried out wide-scale changes across the lottery retail network. This included launching new terminal software and moving onto a new platform.

Alongside this, Allwyn committed to installing thousands of new lottery terminals over the coming weeks. In total, over 30,000 Wave terminals will be placed in the premises of retail partners that currently use Allwyn’s existing machines.

Allwyn reports growth in all regions

Elsewhere, Allwyn said its Greece and Cyprus market saw good growth in Q2, with GGR rising 5% to €583 million. This, it expanded, was supported by the online channel, where GGR increased 9%. It added that growth in the physical retail channel remained “solid” at 3%.

Allwyn also saw a 4% increase in GGR in Austria to €403 million. Here, GGR from numerical lotteries was 6% higher and instant lotteries 10%, while online GGR climbed 7%.

“The strong performance in numerical lotteries was supported by favourable jackpot cycles in the main national game, Lotto, as well as multi-national jackpot game, EuroMillions,” the operator said.

Finally, GGR in the Czech Republic, where Allwyn originated, reached €133 million. This was 9% higher than the previous year, with growth higher than in any other region. Allwyn noted “strong” growth across all major product lines, including numerical lotteries (12%).

Away from GGR, Allwyn reported €54 million in revenue from its Technology and Content segment in North America. This was 7% lower than Q2 last year, with the group putting these numbers down to lower incentive compensation fees owing to unfavourable cycles for multi-state jackpot games, Powerball and Mega Millions.

Earnings increase in Q2

Allwyn did not publish a full breakdown of its finances. However, it did offer an insight into its earnings for Q2. Net revenue for the period climbed 6% to €994 million, although operating EBITDA slipped 8% to €301 million.

However, Allwyn noted €61 million worth of adjustments to EBITDA. These included the add-back of certain non-cash amounts relating to the acquisition of its interest in Instant Win Gaming (IWG). Allwyn took a majority stake in IWG in February 2024.

After applying these adjustments, this left an adjusted EBITDA of €362 million, up 6% year-on-year. In addition, adjusted EBITDA margin improved from 36.1% to 36.4%.

As for H1, total revenue increased by 6% to €4.52 billion, with GGR also 6% higher at €4.34 billion. Net revenue also climbed 5% year-on-year to €2.00 billion.

Operating EBITDA dropped 5% to €612 million. However, after applying adjustments, this left €728 million in adjusted EBITDA, an increase of 4% from the previous year.

“Overall, I am very pleased with our continued progress,” Chvatal said. “I believe we’re well-placed for the remainder of 2025 and the next chapters of our growth story.”

Allwyn continues working to improve player experience

On this note, Allwyn has announced several other developments to support its expansion strategy. Alongside its UK-focused activity with improvements to the National Lottery, it made several M&A moves.

The first came in Q1, with Allwyn agreeing to acquire a 51% majority stake in Logflex MT Holding Limited, the owner of online sports betting and gaming group Novibet. Allwyn will pay an initial €217 million, with up to €110 million also due depending on performance of the business.

More recently, just after the end of Q2, Allwyn announced the sale of land-based casino assets in Germany and Australia. It also acquired the remaining minority stake in Greece- and Cyprus-facing online operator, Stoiximan.

This, Allwyn said, supports its increasingly digital-focused strategy. In relation to this, Allwyn appointed Kresimir Spajic as CEO of its new Allwyn Digital business, with a remit to lead its global digital expansion. Spajic began his new role on 1 September.

Just prior to releasing its Q2 results, news also broke of KKCG selling a 4.27% stake in Allwyn International to another Czech investment fund, J&T Arch Investment. The sale, Allwyn said, will allow more investors to support the group moving forward. KKCG will retain a majority 95.73% stake in Allwyn, held via Allwyn AG.

The deal valued Allwyn’s share capital at €11.20 billion.

Attendees and speakers pushed back against her speech, insisting the sector’s growth directly conflicted with efforts to reduce gambling harms. Peers for Gambling Reform hosted the event with Lord Foster of Bath chairing.

Reform campaigners and charities, gambling harm researchers and people with lived experience made up most of the audience.

In her speech, which opened the conference on Wednesday, Twycross said her biggest challenge when making policy decisions was striking “the right balance between” opposing views on gambling reform and ensuring the UK sector is supported. 

“It is a big responsibility, but I do want to continue with reforms that will improve consumer protection while supporting the sector that makes an important economic societal contribution,” she said.  

“I know most of you don’t think this is possible, but I am going to be open with you about the approach we are taking as a government,” she continued.  

Statutory levy governance to ensure ‘smooth transition’ to new system 

Speaking on the statutory levy, Twycross thanked many of those in attendance for their role in the levy’s implementation. “I think it is going to make a considerable difference,” she said.  

“The three responsible commissioners in England will naturally take time to set up structures to allow funding to flow effectively.  

“Although the relevant commissioners are leading the decision making, where appropriate we want to make sure that we maintain expertise and provision of service for those who need it most, ensuring a smooth transition to the new system and avoiding a cliff-edge improvision,” she added. 

An independent body will oversee the levy’s implementation and ensure appropriate distribution of funding. Twycross said the “clear governance structure will look objectively at how the levy is working and hold the commissioners to account”.  

The Baroness told the audience an independent and impartial process will decide where to spend the funding. This is a top priority for DCMS, she said.  

Levy board will identify and stamp out conflicts of interest in research funding 

Researchers raised concerns at an April parliamentary health committee hearing about GambleAware funding industry-influenced research.

Speaking during the committee session, Sam Chamberlain, professor of psychiatry at the University of Southampton, said: “There’s been a lack of funding from our trusted funding bodies. In pragmatic terms, the industry has been giving cash to one massive charity that then has been handing out that money to various organisations. [But] I’m not saying that all of that work is invalid.” 

On this, Twycross told the audience: “Independence is as important to me as it is to you.  

“When I took on this role it was made really clear to me one of the greatest challenges you face in using research, was concerns over whether research was funded by organisations with clear vested interests and those couldn’t be trusted. 

“So I have been assured that robust processes will be in place to identify and manage any conflicts of interest, including ensuring there is no influence rising as a result of the previous funding arrangements [under the voluntary levy].” 

In April the government implemented the statutory levy and the Gambling Commission released a breakdown of rates based on an operator’s licence. Operators could face licence revocation if they do not adhere to levy requirements.

Paddy Power aims to utilise the one-year agreement to leverage the NFL within its sport betting portfolio.

The Irish bookmaker also becomes the official NFL free-to-play game partner in the UK and Ireland, launching its new game Paddy Power NFL Showdown.

Paddy Power NFL Showdown will give customers the opportunity to predict match results through a number of quick-fire questions, with weekly jackpots on offer. Players will also enter a season-long leaderboard to win even more exclusive prizes.

The deal was announced on Wednesday, with the NFL season set to get underway Thursday when the reigning champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, host the Dallas Cowboys.

The agreement will also include promotional activity for Paddy Power across NFL digital channels, as well as access to footage rights.

Additionally, there will be Paddy Power activations at all UK and Ireland games, with three contests to be played in London this season and another at Croke Park in Dublin.

With the NFL’s popularity rapidly increasing in the UK and Ireland, Paddy Power’s managing director of marketing, Michelle Spillane, feels this is the right time for such a deal.

“NFL as a sport is reaching new heights across the UK&I and, with the first ever game taking place in Ireland at the end of the month, there felt like no better time to come on board,” Spillane said.

“We can’t wait to enhance the fan experience around the Dublin and London games with events, activations and the usual Paddy mischief.”

Paddy Power fanzone for first NFL game in Ireland

The game at Croke Park between the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers on 28 September will mark the first NFL regular season game ever held in Ireland.

For those unable to get tickets for the game, Paddy Power will sponsor a fanzone at The Camden, a sports bar in Dublin, between 26 and 28 September.

Henry Hodgson, the NFL’s UK and Ireland general manager, said: “We are delighted to partner with Paddy Power as the NFL’s official sports betting partner in the UK and Ireland.

“Their innovative approach to fan engagement and their passion for sports entertainment aligns with our goals as we continue to grow the game across the region.”

The paid-for advert for the Blackjack 21: Blackjackist game appeared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on 2 April. It stated “No annoying notifications. No purchases. Just. Good. Old. Blackjack”.

However, an academic researcher in game regulation raised a complaint with the ASA over the ad. As they understood the game contained in-game purchases, including random-item purchasing, they challenged whether the ad was misleading.

In response, KamaGames said the “no purchases” reference meant players could enjoy the full game experience without making a purchase. It stated that as players receive in-game chips through gameplay and daily gifts, purchases were optional and not essential.

KamaGames also said that the game did not feature loot boxes or random-item purchasing mechanisms. CAP guidance requires games of this nature to make clear the presence of such purchases “if material to consumer decisions”. As KamaGames said the game did not fall into this category, it was unnecessary to take such steps.

The developer added that it had withdrawn the advert following the complaint.

ASA upholds complaint against KamaGames advert

Ruling on the case, the ASA ultimately sided with the complainant. It said the advert’s claim that “no purchases” were required to play was not wholly true.

“We considered the presentation of the claim, which appeared together with the claims ‘No annoying notifications’ and ‘Just. Good. Old. Blackjack’, reinforced the impression the game did not contain any in-app purchases and was purely focused on gameplay,” the ASA said.

The ASA did acknowledge the process of using virtual currency in the game and that it was not necessary for players to purchase this in order to play. It also noted a Google Play Store page stating that the game contained in-game purchases, including random items.

However, the ASA referred back to the “no purchases” claim. It said this gave the impression the game did not include any purchases whatsoever, regardless of whether they were needed to play the game.

“Because the ad did not make clear that the game contained in-game purchases, including random-item purchases, we concluded that the ad was misleading,” the ASA said.

As such, the advert was found in breach of CAP Code (Edition 12) rule 3.1, which refers to “misleading advertising”. The ASA said the advert should not appear again in its current form. It also said that KamaGames must not mislead customers of in-game purchases in the future.

ASA closes non-UK ‘loophole’ in CAP Code

The ruling comes after the ASA announced a change to the CAP Code, closing a “loophole” for operators headquartered outside the UK.

Previously, operators with a non-UK registered address were not covered by certain rules in the CAP code. However, from 1 September this year, operators subject to licensing conditions that require compliance with the CAP Code face the same rules as businesses located in the UK.

All UK-licensed operators must ensure communications on websites, apps and cross-border platforms meet the relevant criteria, regardless of where they are registered. Rules will also apply to content on websites with a “.uk” top-level domain and paid-for marketing communications from or by marketers targeting players in the UK.

Flutter Entertainment, Bet365 and Entain are among the major licensed companies that are registered in jurisdictions outside of the UK.

The study, which was compiled by Social Finance and Sherbert Research, was released by GambleAware on Tuesday. Research was recorded from two surveys.

One recorded data from 634 youngsters across a number of schools based in the South West, South East and West Midlands. The second survey recorded results from 2,100 11-17 year olds. GambleAware said this report “was nationally representative of this demographic across GB”.

A quarter of the children included in the second survey said they had been tempted to spend money on gambling after viewing such advertising, while 36% of boys aged between 16 and 17 recalled they had already gambled after observing a celebrity either promoting or taking part in gambling.

Over half of the second survey’s respondents said they felt they had no control over the amount of gambling content they viewed online, while 78% of children agreed “nobody under the age of 18 should be exposed to content and advertising about gambling”.

Meanwhile the initial research found 87% of children and young people surveyed had been exposed to gambling content online, with 16% viewing gambling advertising from content creators on platforms such as Twitch, TikTok and YouTube.

Majority of children want celebrity gambling ads banned

Around 67% of respondents to the larger survey agreed famous individuals, celebrities and influencers should be banned from promoting gambling.

Some 16% had observed content creators sharing links and sign-up codes for gambling, while 14% reported seeing creators sharing tips on how to gamble.

GambleAware believes the government should look to further restrict gambling advertising and online content in the short term, while wider regulations are put in place.

“Digital technology has transformed how children and young people consume content, with mobile phone ownership widespread and many spending hours daily on social media,” GambleAware CEO Zoe Osmond added.

“Social media platforms and influencers now play a pivotal role in shaping attitudes and behaviours and this research shows that some are playing a part in encouraging young people to gamble.”

GambleAware appoints transition CEO to oversee closure

In response to the survey’s findings, GambleAware called upon regulators, the government and the Advertising Standards Authority to take urgent action and “catch up with the digital age”.

“It is unacceptable that children’s environments continue to be flooded with age-restricted content,” Osmond said.

“Consistent exposure to influencer-driven gambling content contributes to the normalisation of gambling among school-aged children and we know that early exposure to gambling at a younger age can lead young people to have a higher risk of experiencing gambling harm later in life.”

Osmond is in her final month as GambleAware CEO, with the charity last week announcing the appointment of Anna Hargrave from 30 September as transition CEO to oversee its closure.

In July, GambleAware confirmed it will wind down operations and transfer its responsibilities to the British government by March 2026. The move comes after the introduction of a new statutory levy earlier this year.

From that point, all services previously overseen by the charity will be taken on by the government and newly appointed commissioners in England, Scotland and Wales, reflecting the UK’s renewed strategy for addressing gambling harm.

The CAP Code, the shortened name for the Code of Non-Broadcast Advertising and Direct and Promotional Marketing, covers activities in the UK. It is enforced by the Committee of Advertising Practice and regulated by the ASA.

From 1 September this year, operators subject to licensing conditions that require compliance with the CAP Code will face the same rules as businesses located in the UK.

This means all UK-licensed operators must ensure communications on websites, apps and cross-border platforms meet the relevant criteria, regardless of where they are registered. Rules also apply to content on websites with a “.uk” top-level domain and paid-for marketing communications from or by marketers targeting players in the UK.

Previously, operators with a non-UK registered address were not covered by certain regulations in the CAP code. This primarily related to non-paid-for marketing communications targeted at UK consumers, including on social media.

Flutter Entertainment, Bet365 and Entain are among the major licensed companies that are registered in jurisdictions outside of the UK. Many UK-facing operators have their businesses registered in either Gibraltar or Malta.

ASA pledges to protect consumers

Announcing the amendment on Monday, the ASA said this change will provide greater protection to players in the UK and will improve “regulatory consistency” within the market.

“In practice, this extension brings into scope social media marketing posts from licensed gambling operators targeting UK consumers, regardless of where the operator is based,” the ASA said.

“The change ensures that such ads are subject to the same rules and standards as those from UK-registered operators, supporting consumer protection and regulatory consistency.

The ASA said the Gambling Commission’s licensing conditions required compliance with the CAP Code.

While new rules are already in place, the CAP has invited comments and feedback on the impact of the remit extension. This will run for a period of three months, until 1 December, ahead of a formal review of the change.

The change will only apply to those within the gambling sector. It does not consider the amendment will extend the code to other categories of advertisers without a UK-registered address.

‘Overdue’ change in advertising rules

Dr Raffaello Rossi, senior lecturer in marketing at University of Bristol, welcomed the change in a post on his LinkedIn. Rossi lobbied for the change, as well as others in gambling advertising rules. He said it is an “important, though long overdue” step to improve consumer protection.

“We highlighted this massive loophole – that gambling brands could simply move their registered office abroad and thereby completely bypass UK social media advertising regulations – in several letters and meetings with the ASA over the past two years,” he said.

“This is an important – though long overdue – step for consumer protection and regulatory consistency.”

Alexander and 10 others, including former GVC chairman Lee Feldman, have been charged with offences between 2011 and 2018, ranging from conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent evasion of income tax.

Additionally, Robert Hoskin, Entain’s chief governance officer between 2020 and 2023, has been charged with perverting the course of justice in February 2024.

The charges were announced on Thursday by the CPS and relate to the historic activities of GVC, now called Entain, in Turkey between 2011 and 2018.

In November 2023, Entain announced it had reached a deferred prosecution agreement with the CPS, in which it would pay a financial penalty of £585 million ($790.6 million) after an investigation by the HMRC.

In the CPS’ statement, HMRC’s director of its fraud investigation service Richard Las said it has been a “complex and international investigation”.

“These are serious charges that relate to conspiracy to defraud, bribery, cheating the public revenue, evasion of income tax and perverting the course of justice among others,” Las said.

Who else has been charged?

Those charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to bribe include Richard Cooper, GVC’s CFO until 2016, and the company’s former group director of trading, James Humberstone.

Scott Masterston faces the same two charges, along with counts of fraudulent trading, cheating the public revenue, and acting as a company director while an undischarged bankrupt. Masterton is director of e-Technologies Global, which is currently in the process of liquidation.

Payments provider Ilixium’s co-founder and CEO, Richard Raubitscheck-Smith, is accused of both conspiracy offences, while Raubitscheck-Smith’s fellow co-founder and director Alexander MacAngus faces a single charge of conspiracy to defraud.

It’s understood Ilixium are not a defendant in the case.

Also charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to bribe are Conexus director Robert Dowling, Inteliqo Limited’s financial director Raymond Smart and Caroline Patricia Roe, who is listed as a director of Loki Europe, Harliboo Limited and Valhalo.

Roe also faces additional charges of fraudulent trading and fraudulent evasion of income tax.

Entain’s historic activities in Turkey

In July 2019, GVC denied media reports it was continuing to profit from its former Turkey-facing subsidiary Headlong Limited, which it owned between 2011 and 2017.

GVC claimed all ties were severed when it divested the business in November 2017, selling the business to Ropso Malta Limited for a performance-related earn-out of up to €150 million ($175 million).

Nonetheless, HMRC sought additional information from GVC, before widening its investigation so that it covered “potential corporate offending” in 2020.

Following its rebrand to Entain, the company then conceded there may have been historical misconduct involving former third-party suppliers and group employees.

In December 2023, Entain received approval for its £585 million financial penalty for its historical activities in Turkey, with the penalty relating to alleged offences under Section 7 of the Bribery Act.

Alongside the financial penalty, Entain also agreed to make a charitable donation of £20 million, while also contributing £10 million to CPS and HMRC costs.

Just days after the agreement with the CPS was approved, Entain CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen resigned from her role with immediate effect, although her departure was unrelated to the financial penalty.

Conspiracy charges carry maximum 10-year terms

The maximum penalty for both the charges of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to bribe is 10 years and/or an unlimited fine.

In February, the Financial Times reported both Alexander and former GVC chairman Feldman had launched legal action against Entain, as well as the law firm Addleshaw Goddard, which represented the company in the Turkey case.

According to the Financial Times, Alexander and Feldman were suing Entain and Addleshaw Goddard for sharing “privileged information” with investigators.

In a March interview with BettingJobs, Alexander stated he would not return to the gambling sector after 24 years in the sector.

Hargrave will take on the role after Zoë Osmond steps down as CEO on 30 September. She will head up day-to-day operations and lead the managed closure of the organisation.

In July, GambleAware announced it will halt all activities and transition its work to the British government by the end of March 2026. This followed the introduction of a new statutory levy earlier this year.

All work historically delivered by the charity will transition to the government and new commissioners across England, Scotland and Wales. This will be in line with the fresh approach to tackling gambling harm in the UK.

GambleAware said Hargrave becoming transition CEO, and indeed Osmond stepping back from her role, reflects a shift within the charity from “strategic oversight to operational delivery”.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank Zoë for her demonstrable and steadfast leadership,” GambleAware Chair of Trustees Andy Boucher said. “I also want to welcome and congratulate Anna on her new role.

“Over the next several months we have some important delivery and legacy ambitions. I am very confident that under Anna’s leadership we will achieve the positive ending for the charity we are all working towards.

“With a renewed focus on handover activity until the end of March 2026 we will continue to ensure there is a smooth transition to the new statutory system to address gambling harm across Great Britain.”

Hargrave set for ‘critical’ role in GambleAware transition

Hargrave will be no stranger to life at GambleAware. She has served as chief commissioning and strategy officer, as well as deputy CEO, since November 2021.

Prior to this, Hargrave held numerous senior roles across the NHS. This included almost four years with NHS South Warwickshire, spending time as chief strategy officer and chief transformation officer.

“The final six months are critical for the smooth transfer and transition to the new system,” Hargrave said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the new commissioners as they get to grips with their new responsibilities within the statutory system and will work with them to ensure their efforts build upon the current system’s achievements and insights to ensure learnings are carried forward.”

Osmond will exit GambleAware after seven years with the charity. She has worked as CEO since 2021, leading the organisation through several major developments, including the recommissioning of the National Gambling Support.

“It has been a huge privilege to lead and work at GambleAware over the past seven years,” Osmond said. “The sector has undergone significant transformation during this time and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, particularly our commitment to embedding the voices of the lived experience community at the heart of everything we do.

“Few charities can truly say they’ve delivered on their founding mission, but GambleAware and the exceptional team behind it have played a pivotal role in reframing gambling harms as a public health issue and helped to shape the foundations of the new gambling harms prevention and treatment system.

“I’m delighted that Anna will be taking the reins for the next critical period, leading the charity through the completion of its transition to the new system.”

KKCG will take away €500 million in total proceeds from the sale. The deal was structured as a sale of equity in Allwyn by KKCG’s wholly owned subsidiary Allwyn AG. It will retain a majority 95.73% stake in Allwyn, held via Allwyn AG.

The sale, Allwyn said, will allow more investors to support the business moving forward. J&T Arch is a qualified investor fund on Prague’s Stock Exchange, with a net asset value of approximately €5.6 billion.

KKCG gives investors a stake in Allwyn’s rapid growth

Allwyn originates in the Czech Republic, starting out as Sazka Group. This business previously operated the Czech national lottery and was under state control. KKCG acquired a majority state in 2011.

This was followed by a joint venture with EMMA Capital, another Czech investment business, and expansion into Greece via OPAP, Italy through Lottoitalia and Austria with Austrian Lotteries. KKCG later bought EMMA Capital’s 25% stake in Sazka Group.

Under its sole control KKCG later acquired a majority stake in Casinos Austria, rebranded to Allwyn in 2022 then secured the UK’s fourth National Lottery licence, taking control in February 2024.

KKCG founder Komárek: Stake sale a ‘significant step’

Plans for a public listing have twice been set out, then shelved, with a UK listing scuppered by Brexit and plans for a New York Stock Exchange float shelved due to market volatility. However Allwyn has always said this represents a delay to its listing plans, rather than a cancellation.

Enabling more investors to get involved with the business will allow them to benefit from the group’s growth trajectory, KKCG founder and Allwyn chair Karel Komárek said.

“This is another significant step for Allwyn,” Komárek said. “It demonstrates the positive impact of KKCG’s vision and support for the business and investor confidence in Allwyn’s successful growth-led strategy.

“I see many opportunities ahead for significant and sustainable value creation for Allwyn. I’m delighted that a wider range of investors can now join us on that journey.”

J&T talks up growth prospects

Patrik Tkáč, co-founder of the J&T financial group, also talked up the deal. He said it is the culmination of years of relationship with KKCG’s Komárek.

“J&T Arch’s entry into Allwyn is the culmination of many years of business relations with Karel Komárek,” Tkáč said. “With his team, he has built an international entertainment platform out of a domestic player. This is another great story of a leading Czech entrepreneur’s business and the opportunity for our investors to participate in its future growth.”

Adam Tomis, member of J&T Arch’s investment committee, added: “Allwyn’s geographical footprint as the operator of national lotteries makes it unique. Our portfolio thus gains an investment in a sector characterised by strong market positions, resilience to economic cycles and high conversion of profits into free cash flow.

“Allwyn is in an excellent position to continue expanding and growing.”

Another major development at Allwyn

The sale represents the latest step in Allwyn’s ongoing growth and expansion plan. In July, Allwyn International announced the sale of its land-based casino assets in Germany and Australia. It has also acquired the remaining minority stake in Greece- and Cyprus-facing online operator Stoiximan.

This came after Allwyn in January agreed to acquire a 51% stake in Logflex MT Holding, the owner of Novibet. Allwyn hopes to complete the purchase of the holding in the online operator before the end of 2025.

Meanwhile, in August Allwyn appointed Kresimir Spajic as CEO of Allwyn Digital to lead its global digital expansion. With its new digital business, Allwyn hopes to evolve in a more digitally led way and provide bettors with engaging experiences.

In addition, Allwyn also recently detailed plans for a new lottery terminal rollout in the UK. It has pledged to install more than 30,000 Waves terminals at retail locations across the UK. Thousands of machine are set to be installed over the coming weeks.

The statutory levy came into effect on 6 April this year, having been proposed during the previous government’s Gambling Act white paper in 2023. It has replaced the previous voluntary system, with the commission overseeing the collection of funds.

Operators will face varying rates, based on GGY. These depend on the types of gambling offered by an operator and whether they are online or land-based. Levy rates will range from 0.1%, primarily covering land-based activity, up to 1.1% for operations offering online casino.

For almost all licensees, the statutory levy will be based on regulatory returns data from July 2024 to March 2025, multiplied by one and one-third. The exception is society lottery licences, with this to be based on data from to 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

The new levy will thereafter be invoiced on an annual basis, on 1 September, based on the activity from the previous financial year. Payment across all licensees will be due, in full, by 1 October each year.

Those that do not comply, the commission said in a detailed report on the statutory levy, could face losing their operating licence in Britain.

“Payment of the statutory levy is a licence requirement,” the regulator said. “Therefore, non-payment, or late payment of the statutory levy could result in operating licence revocation, unless the Gambling Commission is satisfied that this is due to administrative error.”

The regulator added it will invoice operators separately for British and non-British leviable activity. However, licensees must notify the commission of any errors on calculation related to this before the 1 October payment deadline.  

Voluntary payments will not contribute to statutory levy

Meanwhile, the commission’s report sought to address any confusion over the existing voluntary levy. It said licensees are no longer required to make annual financial contributions to research, prevention and treatment.

Operators can still make voluntary contributions to bodies involved with this line of work. However, it would not count towards their statutory levy, with the statutory levy invoice remaining payable in full.

This ties in with GambleAware’s recent announcement that it will halt all activities by the end of March 2026. GambleAware will transition its work to the British government, as a direct consequence of the new statutory levy.

GambleAware has been supportive of the levy since it was proposed in the white paper. However, with voluntary funding now a thing of the past, the organisation will lose out on funds it previously drew from the industry.

The government hopes the new approach will raise £100 million ($135 million) for gambling-related harm prevention.

Stakeholders have warned the statutory levy needs a robust regulatory framework behind it. In May, Better Change founder Victoria Reed said in an iGB op-ed there must be a fair and unbiased process to determine how levy funding is spent.

“Without this, we run the risk of not only misusing public funds but losing the experience and progress made through decades of work to prevent harm,” she said.

In total, over 30,000 Wave lottery terminals will be placed with retail partners that currently use Allwyn’s existing machines.

Allwyn commenced the rollout earlier this year, with over 8,000 retailers already receiving new Wave terminals. The majority of these partners, Allwyn said, were retailers running Compact Lottery Terminals (CLTs).

However, Allwyn will now move to the next phase of the improvement project following a recent major tech upgrade. From 2-4 August, Allwyn carried out wide-scale changes across the National Lottery retail network. This included launching new terminal software and moving onto a new platform.

This upgrade took National Lottery services – across retail and online – offline from 11pm on 2 August to late morning on 4 August. Once back online, retailers that already had the Wave machines installed switched to the new terminals, while others have been using the new software on existing machine, ahead of receiving their new terminals.

Allwyn pledges thousands of installs per week

With the update complete, Allwyn has been overseeing the delivery and installation of Wave terminals with retail partners nationwide. This process began on 11 August, focusing on the replacement of legacy Altura machines. By the end of August, nearly 4,000 retailers will have had their Altura terminals replaced with Wave machines.

Then, from September, Allwyn will aim to install thousands of Wave machines each week at retailers across the UK. The operator did not state when it expects to complete the entire rollout.

The new Wave terminals feature a high-speed processor for faster transactions, a larger and tilt-adjustable LCD screen, wireless 1D barcode and 2D code scanners and a play slip reader. Retailers also have access to additional functionality including enhanced reporting features.

Allwyn Director of Operations Jenny Blogg said this represents further “generational change” for the UK’s National Lottery.

“We have invested more than £350 million ($471 million) in a comprehensive plan to transform the National Lottery, substantially improving its operations and technology,” Blogg said. “These will support exciting plans we have for new games, a better player experience and a commitment to double returns to good causes.

“Over the coming months, our team will be delivering and installing thousands of Wave machines every week. We understand the importance of this new technology in enhancing the in-store experience for both retailers and their customers.”

Allwyn building for the future

Confirmation of the rollout is the latest major announcement out of Allwyn in recent weeks.

In July, Allwyn International announced the sale of its land-based casino assets in Germany and Australia. It has also acquired the remaining minority stake in Greece- and Cyprus-facing online operator Stoiximan.

Meanwhile, in August Allwyn appointed Kresimir Spajic as CEO of Allwyn Digital to lead its global digital expansion. Spajic will start his new role on 1 September, with responsibility for advancing iGaming, sportsbook and digital product capabilities.

With its new Allwyn Digital business, the company hopes to evolve in a more digitally led way and provide bettors with engaging experiences.

Incidentally, this followed digital growth at Allwyn in Q1. For the first three months of 2025, group revenue climbed 6% to €2.24 billion, driven by digital growth. In total, digital revenue jumped 15% and represented 39% of all gross gaming revenue for Q1.

Also in recent weeks, Allwyn entered a new €2.15 billion senior facilities agreement with a syndicate of international banks. Allwyn will use this to refinance an existing syndicated bank, support ongoing growth plans and for general corporate purposes.

Headquartered in Cyprus, ProgressPlay owns 134 gambling websites including Acedbet.com, Casinomite.com and Playmagical.com. It holds a licence in Great Britain, as well as in Ireland and Malta.

Detailing the case, the commission said ProgressPlay had breached several licence conditions. It had also failed to comply with certain social responsibility code and ordinary code provisions. Breaches took place between August 2021 and August 2024.

As such, it was ordered to pay the fine and handed a formal warning by the commission. It will also undergo a third-party audit to ensure it effectively implements AML and social responsibility policies, procedures and controls.

What did ProgressPlay do wrong?

Setting out some of the AML failings in the case, the regulator said ProgressPlay had failed to conduct an appropriate money laundering and terrorist financing (MLTF) risk assessment. It also did not implement suitable controls to minimise the risk of MLTF.

ProgressPlay was also found to have not considered all risks associated with its business. As such, the commission said it had failed to take a “sufficiently risk-based approach” to AML.

In addition, the regulator said ProgressPlay did not sufficiently scrutinise transactions carried out during the course of customer relationships. This included verifying the source of funds to ensure transactions were consistent with the understanding of a customer, their business activities and risk profile.

Failings with customer interaction at ProgressPlay

As for social responsibility failures, these included not having in place sufficient systems and processes to monitor customer activity when opening an account. The commission said this meant early identification of potential gambling-related harm or implementing appropriate interventions was at risk.

The regulator also noted issues with ProgressPlay’s customer interactions policy. It said this did not properly address requirements set out in the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP).

In addition, concerns were raised over how ProgressPlay carried out interactions and actions with individual customers. This included the continued risk of gambling harm and if further action was needed.

Specifically, ProgressPlay breached paragraphs one, two and three of licence condition 12.1.1 on AML, covering the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing. It also breached licence condition 12.1.2, referencing AML measures on operators based in foreign jurisdictions.

On top of this, the commission flagged failings of paragraphs one, four, nine and 12 of social responsibility code provision 3.4.3 for customer interaction. This was also considered a breach of licence conditions.

In addition, the regulator said ProgressPlay failed to adequately consider ordinary code provision 2.1.2 paragraph one and OCP 2.1.1 paragraph two, covering AML.

Commission hits out at ‘unacceptable’ failures

This is the second occasion on which ProgressPlay has faced enforcement action. In May 2022, it was ordered to pay £175,718, again for social responsibility and AML failures.

“Failure to meet AML obligations, along with the gaps identified in its social responsibility processes, are unacceptable,” said John Pierce, director of enforcement and intelligence at the commission.

“Gambling businesses must have robust policies and procedures in place to protect consumers. They must ensure appropriate anti-money laundering controls are maintained. These measures must be actively implemented and regularly tested to confirm their effectiveness.

“Operators should be in no doubt: repeated regulatory breaches will result in increasingly severe enforcement action. We urge all operators to examine the failings identified in this case and take proactive steps to strengthen their own systems and controls.”

ProgressPlay accepts fine as part of ‘transformation’

Responding to the announcement, ProgressPlay said it accepted the fine. It said the case relates to historical activity and has made changes to its processes since the breaches took place.

ProgressPlay said it now operates with a dedicated responsible gambling and AML team, supported by an independent monitoring team.

“Rather than simply remediating past findings, we’ve invested £1.5 million in player protection technology and better AML handling,” ProgressPlay CEO Itai Lowenstein said. “This transformation goes far beyond compliance, it’s fundamentally changed how we understand and serve our customers.”

“We moved to Leeds sometime in 2010 and that was the one thing that, without a doubt, transformed the company,” says former SBG CTO Andy Burton. “I said it had to be no more than 10 minutes from the train station as we really wanted to be able to tap into that talent pool of people who could commute. So we moved into our first office in Leeds at Wellington Place.” 

Burton recalls a conversation he had at the time with SBG CEO Richard Flint about bringing platform development in-house. OpenBet was powering both the back-end and front-end of the SBG offering, but Burton says he knew early on that they needed to take control of the product’s front-end.  

“We didn’t have any people that could do that at that point because the tech team really was a bunch of infrastructure-type people and service management. There wasn’t any development capability at that point. It was all outsourced,” he recalls.  

Sky Bet taps Orange’s development team 

Burton was SBG’s technical director during the period. Upon moving the 150-strong SBG team to Leeds, he tapped into product specialists he had worked with at French mobile provider Orange between 2004 and 2008.  

“[We started with] half a dozen really great technologists, engineers, architects et cetera. It was really small scale when we got started. We didn’t call them product owners at the time, but business owners,” he explains. 

“At Orange they’d done a lot of web development and mobile development and I had managed that team. The ethos was always ‘we don’t need loads and loads of people, we just need really good people and let them get on with it.’  

“We didn’t hire anybody from a betting and gaming background. [We knew] frankly the smart people would learn from working really closely with people in trading or gaming operations.” 

In those initial stages, Burton chose to focus on building a scalable in-house platform for SBG’s Super 6 prediction game over the core gaming product. Super 6, a first-of-its-kind free-to-play prediction game, supercharged SBG to success after becoming hugely popular thanks to its tie-in with Sky Sports.  

“Every Saturday a few tweaks [were made to Super 6] and a few more features [were added]. The business owners really understood the value of how important that was, so we went from there,” Burton says.  

The next step was shifting the core Sky Vegas and betting products onto an in-house platform. Burton believes SBG was the first operator to completely own its front-end. 

Spotify tribes model and maintaining agility  

Burton cites Conor Grant as an integral player in the shift to an in-house front-end, coming into the business and understanding the value of owning its front-end. Grant was one of very few to have joined the business in its early days with industry experience. In 2010 he was hired as SBG head of sportsbook product management after spending three years as head of online for Boyle Sports.  

“We didn’t see ourselves as a sports betting or a gaming company. We saw ourselves as a technology company,” Grant tells iGB. “That allowed us to appeal to technologists and we were bringing in some of the best that the north of England could offer.”  

With that tech-first culture came ways of working borrowed from pioneering companies like Spotify. Grant cites the Spotify tribes model as a core principle for the business’ success. The approach sought to empower staff across the organisation, from product to marketing and beyond, helping them remain agile through extensive growth while carrying out thousands of releases a year. Grant reveals Sky Bet made around 30,000 releases in 2020.  

Another huge asset for SBG was the £800 million acquisition by private equity powerhouse CVC Capital Partners in 2014, which helped fund the expansion of back-end and product teams.  

While these elements powered SBG’s initial growth phase, Burton believes SBG’s ability to pivot and lead in certain areas helped maintain continued gains. One such area was responsible gambling. “To be part of Sky we had to maintain that reputation of the Sky brand,” he says.  

By the time SBG was sold to Stars Group, it had scaled up its tech team to about 800 people, over a nine-year period.  

Replicating the Sky Bet model 

Today Sky Bet is lauded as a blueprint for success across the sector. When the US opened its doors to online sports betting in 2018, the phrase “Sky Bet model” was widely uttered by execs and M&A strategists as many sought to imitate the operator’s deep-rooted integration with Sky Sports and its lasting legacy in the UK sports and gambling sectors.

In 2019 Fox Bet even launched a Super 6-style prediction offering to drive customer acquisition efforts in the US.

But no one was able to successfully replicate Sky Bet’s media strategy across the pond and brands like Fox Bet and Barstool Sports fell flat, failing to engage the core audience of sports lovers.  

Meanwhile in the UK, a much more mature and product-focused market, the onus for SBG’s peers has been on copying SBG’s unique technical strategy, which many agree was the force behind its dominance in the market.  

In June, reports that Flutter was putting over 200 roles at risk across its UK operations emerged. Racing Post reported many of the redundancies would come from Flutter’s tech and product team at its Wellington Place headquarters in Leeds, many of which were brought over from Sky Bet when Flutter bought the business in 2020.  

The decision follows its migration of SBG onto the Flutter Edge central platform, marking the end of an era for SBG’s legacy platform.  

From SBG to FBG: Fanatics leveraging Leeds’ talent pool 

But as they say, “one man’s loss is another’s gain” and a host of competing operators have reached out to these ex-SBG and Flutter folk to offer them roles elsewhere. Grant is among those leveraging Flutter’s outgoing technologists as he seeks to expand his 40-strong team at US-facing betting and casino operator Fanatic’s tech hub in Leeds. 

Fanatics (FBG) is operated on a fully remote basis, but it maintains a number of core functions at its Leeds base. Grant, who acts as president of gaming for FBG, says the office is home to part of the trading business as well as casino, operations and wider technical staffers. Plans to scale the team significantly are currently under discussion. It is looking to increase its current workforce in Leeds by 10% and move into new office space at Richmond House.  

“I know the market particularly well. There is a huge amount of talent in this area, in the north of England, with specific sector knowledge. My experience of technologists is they want to be working in fast-paced environments where they’re constantly releasing, being intellectually challenged and stimulated, and we tick those boxes by some distance in the way we operate. We’re a very lean organisation,” Grant says. 

“A number of us think this is a really good strategy for us to build and develop at scale.” 

Sky Bet’s Leeds legacy

He agrees Sky Bet built a foundation for sector talent in the city, but he acknowledges the rich history of digital transformation predating SBG in Leeds, including Orange and part of the NHS’ digital business.  

“Tom Reardon, the ex-chief executive of Leeds City Council was really instrumental in trying to attract businesses to Leeds, but Sky Bet played a big role in that because we were excellent at raising the profile of the city,” Grant added. “A lot of the great people who came to Sky Bet went and then spread their wings.”

SBG certainly left its mark on Leeds and key personnel moved on to lead tech teams at Evoke. Former SBG head of technology Paul McCormick is Flutter’s UK&I CTO today, while Rik Barker, ex-gaming director and then CTO for SBG, today is group CITO across Evoke’s portfolio of brands. Another group of tech specialists from SBG started cloud digital transformation consultancy Infinity Works, which was acquired by Accenture in 2021.  

“It’s gone full circle,” Burton concludes. “[Grant] was part of that cycle the first time around, where we hired loads of great tech people in Leeds and they’re thinking there’s an opportunity now with loads of people leaving Flutter, so let’s hire them.” 

Arizona targets unlicensed website

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has issued cease-and-desist orders to four unlicensed and unregulated gambling operators.

The operators are accused of offering access to illegal online platforms, including sweepstakes casino-style models and event wagering sportsbook betting options.

Fliff Online Gambling and Thrillzz Mobile Gambling have been flagged for event wagering. The ADG also identified BettySweeps Casino and Pulsz Casino as offering sweepstakes options to players.

“Unlicensed operators operating outside the law and without regulatory safeguards pose serious risks to consumer protection and financial security across the state, undermining the integrity of Arizona’s regulated gaming industry,” the ADG said.

Kambi pens betting deal with Oneida Indian Nation

Kambi Group has signed a long-term sports betting partnership with the Oneida Indian Nation.

Kambi will provide its retail sportsbook solution to Turning Stone Enterprises’ three locations in upstate New York. The solution will replace the current offering from a third-party sports betting supplier.

Turning Stone Enterprises is the parent organisation for all business operations of the Oneida Indian Nation. Its venues include Turning Stone Resort Casino, YBR Casino & Sportsbook and Point Place Casino.

Werner Becher, CEO of Kambi, said: “Oneida has a proven track record of offering best-in-class gaming experiences and we look forward to working with them to ensure they have an unparalleled sportsbook offering for years to come.”

RubyPlay partners second Ondiss brand in Argentina

In South America, RubyPlay has expanded its presence in Argentina by partnering with Ondiss-powered Casino Club.

RubyPlay content is now available to Casino Club users. Titles include Volcano Rising SE, Zeus Rush Fever Deluxe and Elephant Stampede.

The deal follows the launch of RubyPlay with Ondiss-powered Casino Magic last year.

Eyal Loz, chief product officer at RubyPlay, said: “This launch with Casino Club reflects our deep commitment to Argentina’s vibrant iGaming market.”

Parimatch nets Manchester United deal

Parimatch has entered a new partnership with English Premier League football club Manchester United.

According to Insider Sport, Parimatch branding will feature on LED perimeter boards at every home match. This began with the match against Arsenal on Sunday.

Parimatch will also work with United on a series of fan-focused regional campaigns. These will include VIP matchday tickets and interactive fan competitions.

Betway Scores announces first global ambassador

Betway Group-owned Betway Scores has named Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano as its first global ambassador.

Romano will offer updates, behind-the-scenes insights and commentary via the Betway Scores app. A Betway Scores spokesperson said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Fabrizio as our first global ambassador. His reputation for accurate information from the football world is second to none. He’ll bring tremendous value to our users.”

Betway Scores offers fans access to live scores, results, fixtures and other sports content.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced the action on Sunday following weeks of pushback on proposed changes to gambling tax rates in the UK.

Four scheduled race meetings – at Carlisle, Kempton Park, Lingfield Park and Uttoxeter – will not take place on the day. The BHA said they will be moved to an alternate date, with details to be announced in due course.

On the same day, owners, trainers and jockeys will join senior racing leaders for a major campaign event at Westminster. It will be the first time the industry will refuse to race in modern history.

The strike action forms part of the BHA’s “Axe The Racing Tax” campaign against potential changes in racing tax. The government has proposed replacing three online betting tax rates with a single rate.

Current rates consist of the Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) tax at 21% of operator profit, General Betting Duty (GBD) tax at 15% of profit, and Pool Betting Duty (PBD) at 15% of net stake receipts.

The government has not yet said what the fixed rate will be across all verticals, but an update to its consultation on consolidating the rates is expected during its autumn budget.

Many stakeholders have expressed concerns that the rate could be increased in line with remote gaming duty as all three rates are consolidated. They have urged the government to rethink the update.

Tax changes could hit horse racing for £330 million

The BHA has been open in its criticism of the proposals. It said betting operators are likely to seek to offset any tax rises through increasing prices, cutting bonuses and reducing advertising and marketing budgets.

The organisation said such a change in policy could cost the racing industry £330 million ($447 million) in the first five years after implementation. In addition, the BHA said up to 2,752 jobs could be lost in the first year alone.

The BHA has already put forward an alternate proposal that it said would help protect the racing industry, calling for a separate tax rate for racing.

The organisation noted that the sector already has a unique tax in the Horserace Betting Levy. Racing’s dependence on revenue from betting is also already recognised in the tax system. The BHA also flagged how the sport is taxed at a lower rate than online games.

“We have decided to take the unprecedented decision to cancel our planned racing fixtures on 10 September to highlight to government the serious consequences of the treasury’s tax proposals which threaten the very future of our sport,” BHA CEO Brant Dunshea said.

“British Racing is already in a precarious financial position. Research has shown that a tax rise on racing could be catastrophic for the sport and the thousands of jobs that rely on it in towns and communities across the country.

“We haven’t taken this decision lightly. In doing, so we are urging the government to rethink this tax proposal to protect the future of our sport which is a cherished part of Britain’s heritage and culture.

“Our message to government is clear: axe the racing tax and back British racing.”

BGC concerned over planned action

However, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has expressed concerns over plans to move fixtures. In a statement, the BGC said this decision was taken without consulting operators, whose support for the funding of the sport is “mission critical”.

“We are concerned that futile political gestures will only antagonise the government and frustrate punters instead of delivering a solution to a shared challenge facing both racing and betting,” the BGC said.

Racing puts on a united front

The BHA is not alone in hitting back against the proposed changes. It has garnered support from other major industry bodies including The Jockey Club, Arena Racing Company and the National Trainers Federation.

Jim Mullen, CEO at The Jockey Club, said: “We hope this pause for reflection will enable the government to truly understand the economic impact of horse racing and its cultural significance to communities across the UK, as well as the world-class racing festivals we host.”

Arena Racing Company CEO Martin Cruddace added: “We have always been taxed and regulated differently. It is imperative for our future that we continue to be so. If the government wants Britain to be a world leader in online casino and a world pauper in a sport at the heart of its culture, then tax harmonisation will achieve that aim.”

And Paul Johnson, CEO of the National Trainers Federation, said: “British Racing cannot survive on reputation alone and we call on the government to set an enlightened tax regime that will allow the sport to thrive before we reach the point of no return.”

The former prime minister and chancellor has thrown his weight behind a proposal to hike gambling duty to 50% of GGR in Great Britain. Only his proposal, and the evidence he puts forward to support it, doesn’t really hold up to scrutiny. 

Right to the Source is debating the GB gambling tax hike on Apple Podcasts

GB gambling tax hike: What do the reformers actually want?

Ultimately, Brown is pitching gambling as a solution to child poverty. Considering gambling is regularly decried as the cause of poverty by the anti-industry lobby, that’s quite the volte-face.

And how can people match up treating gambling as a golden goose with calls for new restrictions designed to reduce gambling revenue in Great Britain?

With Bruford, co-host of The Gambling Files podcast, joining to pick apart Gordon Brown’s claims, it gets interesting. And where else will you hear about launching a competing magazine to Runner’s World as part of the conversation?

As promised in our last episode, Robin and Ed also talk about gambling in South Korea and the scope for Canadian provinces joining Alberta and Ontario in liberalising their lottery monopolies. 

We’ll be taking a break in the coming week, but that leaves you lots of time to listen to this week’s discussion!

Total GGY for the three months to 30 June was £1.49 billion ($2.02 billion), according to data from the Gambling Commission. This surpassed the £1.46 billion reported in Q2 last year and also beat Q1 this year by 3%.

The increase in GGY was in addition to a rise in the total number of bets and spins. This was 6% higher year-on-year at 26.1 billion for the three-month period.

However, average monthly active accounts in Q2 fell 10% compared to last year. The commission said there was an average of 12.7 million monthly active accounts during the period.

Online slots GGY reaches record £745 million in Q2

The majority of GGY was attributed to online slots in Q2 as it hit £745 million, an increase of 14% from last year and a new quarterly record.

This was powered by an all-time high number of spins in the quarter, which were up 8% to 24.4 billion. Meanwhile, average monthly active accounts remained stable at 4.4 million.

The record figures come despite the introduction of new online slot stake limits at the start of Q2. As of 9 April, players aged 25 or over could wager a maximum of £5 per spin. This limit is set lower – at £2 – for users under the age of 25.

This was among the first major measures to come out of the government’s Gambling Act white paper. Published in April 2023, this set out a series of proposals to update regulation in the British market.

Other findings included shorter playing sessions among consumers. The number of sessions lasting more than one hour was 9% less than last year, while the average session length decreased by one minute to 16 minutes. In total, 5% of sessions lasted more than one hour, down from 6% in 2024.

The commission noted that several operators have refined their session length methodology during the quarter. This, it said, impacted the average session length metrics.

Real event betting GGY dips 9%

Away from online slots, real event betting GGY was down 9% to £570 million. The number of bets here also slipped 7% year-on-year, while average monthly active accounts fell 16%.

Declines within the real event betting sector were primarily due to the absence of a major sports event compared to the Euros, which started in Q2 last year.

Elsewhere, GGY from other online gaming, including table games, topped £145 million, a drop of 9% from last year. Online poker GGY was also 21% lower at £11 million for the quarter, while virtual betting GGY slipped 12% to £9 million. Esports betting GGY also dropped 7% to £4 million.

Land-based GGY dips 5%

The commission also published data for land-based betting, covering approximately 90% of Britain’s market. Here, GGY was 5% lower year-on-year at £552 million.

Breaking down this market, machine GGY dropped 3% to £281 million, over-the-counter GGY fell 12% to £148 million, and self-service betting terminal GGY edged down by 2% to £122 million.

The fall in GGY was accompanied by a drop in player activity with total bets and spins down 3% to 3.2 billion. Machine sessions amounted to 24 million, with the number of sessions over one hour at 600,450.

This trend could be reversed as the year progresses as operators implement additional gaming machines as per the recent land-based reforms, passed into law in July by the government.

Reported net gaming revenue for the 12 months to 30 June hit £795.4 million ($1.08 billion), the group revealed. This cleared the previous year by 8% and was in line with preliminary figures published in July.

Underlying like-for-like net gaming revenue also climbed 11% to £795.3 million. This figure removes the impact of new club openings, closures, foreign exchange movements and discontinued operations.

Revenue growth was apparent across all four core segments of the group. While these rises were accompanied by higher costs, revenue grew at such a rate that both operating and net profit increased year-on-year, with the latter up 272%.

Rank saw further uplift within its digital business. Total revenue for the year was £235.7 million, up 10%, while average revenue per customer jumped 18%.

In the UK, online revenue grew 12% to £208.8m, with double-digit rises across Grosvenor (22%) and Mecca (11%). Rank’s other brands operating on the proprietary technology platform declined 5% but are expected to return to growth in 2026.

UK regulation impact reaches £1 million in Q4 of Rank’s FY

Rank, however, acknowledged the impact of changing regulation on its online business. The statutory levy for research prevention and treatment of problem gambling was introduced from April 2025 in the UK, with this rising from the existing voluntary rate of 0.1% to 1.1%. A maximum staking limit for online slots play of £5, and £2 for consumers aged under 25, was also implemented in April 2025.

“The impact on digital profitability in the final quarter of the year (April to June 2025) has been around £1 million,” Rank said. “We therefore expect the annualised impact to be in the region of £4 million going forwards.”

Away from the UK, digital performance in Spain was flat. The group said it was hampered by platform capacity constraints which started in its Q2. This restricted its ability to deliver regular big prize bingo rooms to YoBingo customers.

Meanwhile, plans to launch in Portugal have taken longer than expected. However, Rank has secured platform certification from the country’s regulator, with a licence due to follow in the coming weeks.

Commenting on the online segment as a whole, O’Reilly said: “Our online business is tracking to the expected 8%-12% revenue growth rate as we drive the benefits of our proprietary technology and develop seamless cross-channel experiences for customers.”

Grosvenor leads the way with double-digit growth

Taking a closer look at growth patterns in 2025, Rank’s Grosvenor venues business led the way. Not only did it generate the most revenue at £378.4 million but it also saw the highest percentage of growth, reporting a 14% rise.

Some £117.5 million came from London venues, up 9%, while rest of UK revenue increased 17% to £260.9 million. Rank noted a 3% increase in visitor numbers, while spend per visit was also 11% higher than the previous year.

“Revenue growth is the result of the significant and targeted investments that we have made in our venues, an improved product offering, improvements to customer risk management and our people and culture,” Rank said. “They are an encouraging prelude to the growth that we anticipate as a result of the land-based casino reforms.”

The UK-facing Mecca bingo venues business also recorded revenue increase, with this rising 5% to £140.3 million. Visitor numbers were flat year-on-year but Rank noted a 5% rise in spend per visit among players.

Mainstage bingo remained the primary driver of visits, although Rank said the installation of new terminals from Light & Wonder helped push gaming machine revenue at the venues up 9%. Again, it said the recent reforms will likely increase machine revenue further in 2026.

“Gaming machine revenues were up 9% and now account for 41% of Mecca’s net gaming revenue,” Rank said. “There is plenty of scope for further growth, particularly with Gambling Act reforms still to come.”

Rank’s other venues business, Spanish-facing Enracha, posted a 9% increase in like-for-like revenue to £40.9 million. These venues, which feature bingo, sports betting and gaming machines, reported a 3% rise in visitors and 6% jump in spend per visit.

“The strongest performance came from those venues which recently enjoyed targeted investment,” Rank said. “In H1, we completed the refurbishment of our Seville venue, which saw 4% growth in visits and 14% growth in revenue over the course of the year.”

UK legislative reform to drive more growth

CEO John O’Reilly welcomed the results. He said revenue growth and profit were both ahead of expectations, while increases within both its online and land-based businesses were the result of investments to improve customer experience.

“We are growing profitability and have a strong net cash position,” he said. “This will enable both continued investment and progressive dividend returns for our shareholders.”

O’Reilly also cast an eye towards Rank’s 2026 financial year, which commenced in July. This coincided with the UK Parliament passing long-awaited reforms aimed at modernising the land-based gambling industry.

Among the land-based casino reforms were measures to increase the number of gaming machines within a venue. Another change enables converted casinos (not regulated by the 2005 Gambling Act) to offer betting via self-service betting terminals (SSBTs). 

Rank has wasted little time in taking advantage of the reforms. Work is ongoing to install more terminals across its UK estate. The group is also seeking to introduce sports betting at its venues for the first time.

All this, O’Reilly said, will likely lead to more growth in 2026. He commented: “With the long-awaited legislative reforms for casinos now delivered, the group is at an exciting inflection point.

“The Grosvenor business will benefit from the higher gaming machine allocations and the introduction of sports betting, which will better meet existing customer needs and increase the attractiveness of casinos to a broader base of consumers. Our bingo businesses continue to strengthen as we invest in the quality and value of the customer offering.

“We have a very strong road map of opportunity to build further success for the Rank Group over the coming years.”

Net profit tops £44.6 million in FY25

Looking to spending, both cost of sales and operating expenses were higher year-on-year at Rank. However, the revenue increase offset these rises, allowing operating profit to improve by 128% to £60 million.

After net financing charges, pre-tax profit hit £53.9 million, up 248%. Rank paid £9.3 million in tax, meaning it ended the year with a net profit of £44.6 million, some 248% more than last year.

“I would like to recognise the exceptional work of my colleagues across the group whose unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding customer service continues to be the cornerstone of our financial performance,” O’Reilly said.

‘Businesses will go’ if UK tax rate increases, says O’Reilly

During the Thursday earnings call, O’Reilly urged the government to tread carefully over the potential gambling tax changes proposed in the UK.

The Treasury has proposed replacing the current three-rate system for remote gambling with a single remote gambling tax. If approved, this would be called the Remote Betting & Gaming Duty.

The Institute for Public Policy Research has also called for an increase in tax. It suggested raising remote gaming duty from 21% to 50%, as well as significantly increasing other retail tax rates.

O’Reilly told analysts Rank already pays high taxes in the market – approximately £189 million in total in FY25 – which equates to around £4 of every £5 it generates.

“I don’t moan about the tax we pay as this is the type of business we are in,” he said. “But the margins for tax are not significant. Any increase has the potential to move a business from being profitable to not profitable. As such, businesses will go and competition in the market will decrease, which is not good for the consumer. I think the Treasury understands this.

“We have put our thoughts to Treasury. My preference is to not have online tax tied into a single tax. The higher the tax rate, the harder it is to compete with the bigger players and that’s bad news for the consumer.”

The DoT’s raw bank transaction data highlights a number of valuable trends, including that older players are more loyal and on average play with 1.25 operators, versus under-50s with 1.32.  

As shown in the first graphic below, over-50s accounted for 9.5% of the sampled gambling population (5,139 users), while those under 50 made up 90.5% of the surveyed group (48,824 users).  

Overall U50s deposited and withdrew more during the quarter than those over 50. Net spend, calculated as deposits minus withdrawals, was 18.6% among the over-50s in the reported period. Looking at gross deposits, over-50s deposited 7.6% less overall.

Annual salary calculations show over-50s earn slightly more, with an average salary of £37,380, compared to £32,780 for U50s.

DoT data explores withdrawal and depositing habits

Digging into the data, DoT compared notable spending behaviours, including average deposit and withdrawal amounts across both age groups.  

It shows that over-50s typically spend slightly less than the younger generations, with an average monthly net spend per user of £5, versus £7, as highlighted in the fifth slide above.

During the period, under-50s deposited a gross amount of £3,230,332, accounting for 91.1% of all deposits. The older demographic deposited a total of £314,059, which was 8.9% of total deposits.

During the period, the over-50s withdrew 73.4% of the deposits made during the three-month period, meanwhile under-50s withdrew 69.8% of their deposits (slide 6).

Overall withdrawal amounts during the period across all over-50s users sampled was £230,403, compared to £2,253,682 for the under-50s.

Which demographic is more brand loyal?

According to the data, which analysed player activity across more than 300 licensed gambling brands in the UK, Boomers and Gen X-ers (the over-50s) were slightly more loyal than younger players.

Overall, over-50s regularly played across 132 UK gambling brands, where the younger demographic used up to 203 brands (slide 7).

The older group on average played on average with 4.8% fewer operators per user. In total the demographic played with 1.25 brands per user, compared to 1.32 per user across the younger demographic.

But are operators leveraging this more loyal demographic and targeting older players in the same way they are marketing to the younger generations?  

“Younger users might respond better to variety and choice messaging, while older users might prefer stability and trust-focused messaging,” noted DoT founder Charles Cohen.  

Cohen said the data showed older players displayed a lower tendency to shop around for different gambling experiences, and potentially had more conservative gambling behaviours.

Operator usage data: who’s playing with which brands?

When looking at operator usage data between the under- and over-50s, Tombola topped the list as the most popular brand among the older group, with 16.4% playing with the brand. This is compared to a 9.5% population average.

Notably the data also includes card transactions made via retail operators.

Slide 8 above shows Betfred was second on the list (13.5% of total over-50s), then 32Red (11.9%), Buzz Bingo (10.7%) and Jackpotjoy (10.1%).

Comparatively, under-50s players favoured Monopoly Casino (94.1%), Bet365 (93.6%), Paddy Power (93.1%), Unibet (92.6%) and Betfair (92%).

The top 20 ranked operators by player spend accounted for 66.1% of total losses for the period (£760,019), while the remaining operators made up 33.9% of total losses overall (£389,583), according to slide 11.

“This operator usage data complements the spending patterns we already identified, showing that older gamblers not only spend differently but also demonstrate different platform engagement behaviours – they tend to be more concentrated in their operator choices while younger gamblers spread their activity across more platforms,” Cohen concluded.

DoT’s previous analysis explored player churn via bank transaction data, considering how many brands payers in the UK typically gamble with.

Revenue for the six months to 30 June amounted to £887.8 million ($1.12 billion), ahead of the £862 million reported in H1 last year. This is in line with forecasts published in a trading update in July.

Detailing its performance on Wednesday, Evoke noted double-digit growth in its international arm was the standout highlight in H1. Revenue here was 13% higher than last year and accounted for 33.7% of overall revenue.

In contrast, its UK and Ireland online segment, Evoke’s primary source of revenue, saw a 0.7% revenue decline year-on-year. Retail revenue was also down 2.4% during the half year to £336.2 million.

Evoke highlighted tough Euros comps from last year and said a lack of major sporting events in the period impacted its performance.

This was noticeable across both online and retail performance in UK&I. However, Evoke noted differing trends by brand within this division. William Hill reported growth during the half, helping push overall gaming revenue up 4.4%. On the other hand, 888 reported a decline, due to what Evoke described as a “more disciplined marketing approach”.

There was a significant improvement in reported EBITDA, which more than trebled year-on-year to £141.3 million. In addition, adjusted EBITDA was 43.6% higher during the half.

Evoke remained at a statutory net loss but improvements in revenue and earnings meant this was more than halved from last year’s total.

Euro 2024 skews year-on-year comparisons

UK&I retail painted a similar picture to online, with revenue down 2.4% to £252.2 million, partly due to tough year-on-year Euros comps.

Evoke also made reference to “challenging conditions on the high street”, as the total number of William Hill shops fell 2.2% to 1,302 by the end of the half.

The group was, however, able to make improvements to its retail estate in the UK&I. It completed the rollout of 5,000 gaming machines in March, helping to drive group gaming revenue up 7% in Q2.

Speaking on the call, Evoke CEO Per Widerström revealed gross win per machine was 15% more than in Q3 of last year, with the new rollout drawing in more customers. He added that further machine enhancements are planned for H2, with additional legacy machines to be replaced.

“We are confident that our retail stores can continue to survive tough high street conditions in the UK and Ireland,” he said. “We will monitor profitability closely cross our network.”

Romania tax impact to be minimal

Away from the UK&I, international was the only business segment to report overall growth, with revenue up 13.% to £299.4 million. Across Europe Evoke noted double-digit growth in Italy and Denmark, while Romania showed triple-digit growth following the acquisition of Winner last year. Its other core international market, Spain, saw revenue rise 6%.

However, growth was offset slightly by reduced revenues from “optimised markets”. Evoke put this down to switching focus to profitability and cash generation, including exiting the US B2C business.

Within this sector, Evoke made reference to gambling tax in Romania. While it has been helped in the country through its purchase of Winner, a recent tax increase could hamper this progress, Evoke CEO Per Widerström said during the earnings call.

While Widerström described this rise as “unwelcome”, he said it will likely only have minimal impact on the group, given its recent growth in the country.

“It was unwelcome, but we are well placed with higher scale to continue growth with profitability in Romania,” he said. “We will only see an impact in the lower to mid-single digits, and likely not until next year.”

Evoke cautious on possible UK tax increase

Evoke also made reference to the possible increase of tax in the UK. Earlier in 2025, the Treasury proposed replacing the current three-rate system for remote gambling with a single remote gambling tax, called the Remote Betting & Gaming Duty.

The Institute for Public Policy Research has also called for an increase in tax. It suggested raising remote gaming duty from 21% to 50%, and machine games duty from 20% to 50% of operator profit. This would go along with increasing general betting duty from 15% to 25%.

Evoke CFO Sean Wilkins was cautious in his response during the company’s earning’s call on Wednesday. He acknowledged that while no decision had been made by the government, he advised officials to tread carefully in terms of how they approach a potential rise.

“We understand the government does need some cash, and the gaming industry an easy target,” he said. “We are following a wait-and-see pattern. If you increase tax beyond a certain point, this leads to black market growth. This would then lead to lower tax take and zero player protection, which is against the objective of government. This has been evidenced in the Netherlands,” Wilkins told analysts.

“Our expectation is to see a balanced approach between the requirement to get more cash and protecting the regulated market.”

Bottom-line improvements in H1

In addition to total revenue growth, Evoke was able to reduce costs across several areas. This was partly due to its exit from the US, with this helping to save on both sales and operating expenses.

The lower cost of sales meant gross profit increased 5.8% to £592.8 million. Meanwhile, savings across operating costs, marketing expenses and exceptional items resulted in an operating profit of £39.1 million. This was in contrast to last year’s £67.2 million loss, prior to the US exit.

Adjusted EBITDA for the half jumped 43.6% to £165.9 million. Financial expenses increased, but the revenue rise and overall cost reduction allowed pre-tax loss to decline from £147 million to £77.7 million.

Evoke paid £13 million in tax, meaning it ended the half with a net loss of £64.7 million, compared to last year’s £143.2 million loss.

Evoke CEO talks up ‘substantial strategic progress’

Widerström was positive about H1. He highlighted the group’s ongoing “transformation and operational reset” and the impact of certain initiatives on overall performance.

“We’re seeing clear evidence of the transformation and operational reset we’ve undertaken, with the group delivering continued revenue growth, significantly improved profitability and meaningful deleveraging during the first half of the year,” Widerström said.

He said its “improved financial performance” was the result of continued and substantial strategic progress, including “focusing resources on core markets and executing a short-term turnaround, while investing in building stronger capabilities”.

“Having delivered four consecutive quarters of growth, we are well positioned to drive continued progress, supported by our leading market positions, established brands, outstanding products and a clear customer proposition,” Widerström said.

High hopes for FY at Evoke

Looking ahead to Q3, Evoke said its performance so far in the quarter is in line with plans. As such, its revenue growth target for the full year remains in the range of 5% to 9%.

Evoke said momentum is accelerating in H2, helped by strong revenue drivers including new product launches and brand enhancements. This, it added, will likely help to improve profitability during the second half, with support from additional operational efficiencies.

The group also remains on track to deliver full-year guidance of an adjusted EBITDA margin of at least 20%.

“The acceleration in Q2 performance, together with a strong pipeline of product enhancements and operational efficiency initiatives, underpins our confidence of improved growth in H2,” Widerström added.

Reporting its H1 results on Tuesday, this is the first time the London-listed operator provided a breakdown of topline earnings excluding US operations. In this case, group NGR (not counting BetMGM) was up 3% (6% cc) to £2.6 billion.  

Online NGR grew 14% including US and 8% excluding US, while retail NGR remained flat.  

While growth slowed in some online markets like Australia (-7% YoY) and Poland (+2%), group revenue was buoyed by a surprising performance in Spain (+39%), thanks to an effort Entain CEO Stella David described as “awakening a sleeping giant”.  

This, David said, was down to an executive team reshuffle in Spain last year and a reviving of the Bwin brand in the market through a targeted marketing campaign. David said she was confident Bwin could return to a podium position in Spain.  

Mikel López de Torre, former JDigital chairman and digital director for Entain’s Spanish JV Sportium, joined Entain as head of Iberia in June 2024 to lead the Bwin and Party brands across Spain.  

Meanwhile, Entain’s core UK and Ireland (UK&I) segment “outperformed the market”, the operator said, as revenue grew 21% in the six-month period.  

David put this down to growth across volume of players and increased player value. She told analysts once again that product improvements like increased app speeds and a new bet builder offering had positively impacted its performance in the UK.  

Retail remains sluggish, UKGC reviewing AGCs’ impact on operators  

Meanwhile, the UK&I retail business remained flat as revenue decreased 2% compared to last year.  

Despite continued revenue decline across UK retail, CFO Rob Wood told analysts during the earnings call he was happy with the segment’s performance and it had improved slightly in Q2 compared to the first quarter.  

He said there was a continued uptick since “sluggish numbers in Q3 last year” that had coincided with an acceleration in online revenue.  

Wood previously blamed Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) for stealing market share from retail gaming operations in Q1, but he said on Tuesday the Gambling Commission was taking “a much closer look” at these AGCs.  

Despite slowed revenue growth, he said retail was still positively contributing to online growth. “It’s a pleasurable business for us to run and a really valuable asset,” Wood said.  

“UK retail [employee engagement] scores have never been better and turnover has never been lower.”  

Poland woes down to increased competition on iGaming hopes 

Turning back to online, Entain H1 8% CEE growth was powered by a 14% uptick for NGR in Croatia, but was impacted by flat revenue in Poland.  

When asked what had set Entain back in Poland, David said the market had become increasingly competitive as the sector prepared for potential iGaming regulation. She said heavy bonusing and a tax on winnings had resulted in a challenging period. This was further exacerbated by the prospects of legal iGaming disappearing for now.  

David said the operator would not run a race to the bottom by competing aggressively in the short term. “Poland is a long-term attractive market,” she added.  

Wood said although revenue here dipped, EBITDA in Poland had increased. “Sometimes you have to decide between topline and EBITDA and we’re actually growing EBITDA year-on-year.” He said only two operators were profitable in the market and Entain was number one on the list.  

Entain H1: Brazil ‘on track’ for full-year expectations

Entain’s Brazil business marked its first six months of operation with a 21% year-on-year uptick in NGR. David said that, while the business launched on day one of the market (1 January), the journey had “not always been plain sailing”.  

Compliance efforts had proved a mammoth task as players of the Sportingbet brand had to be re-registered to meet regulatory requirements. David said the operator had seen strong results from the Club World Cup tournament with record player activity and turnover reported.  

While the market is highly competitive, Wood said it was on track to meet expectations for the full year.  

AUSTRAC mediation under way 

Prior to questions from analysts commencing during the call, David addressed the elephant in the room – Entain’s ongoing legal proceedings with Australia’s AUSTRAC. 

Proceedings were initiated in December over “serious and systematic” non-compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) laws at Entain.  

David described a £50 million balance-sheet provision (about AU$100 million) as an accounting measure rather than a specific provision allocated as a potential penalty.

“The provision is purely accounting driven,” she said. Mediation between the two parties commenced in July and is still in motion, David noted.  

There will be no update on the proceedings until discussions have concluded, she added.  

AUSTRAC documents filed in April said the two parties were required to attend a mediation before 4 August and, if the matter is not resolved by then, Entain would need to file its defence by 12 September. 

How much cash will Entain receive from BetMGM this year?  

Cash flow was a hot topic during the Entain H1 analyst call, as Wood noted BetMGM’s plans to return cash to its parents this year, upon reaching a positive EBITDA of $150 million.  

As of the end of H1, adjusted cash flow for Entain sat at £80 million, compared to a deficit of £35 million last year. This is expected to be “broadly flat” for the year.  

When pressed on what the returns from BetMGM could look like in 2025, Wood said nothing had yet been agreed with the JV, but he hinted the amount could easily be calculated by taking BetMGM’s EBITDA guidance for 2025 and deducting its capex, then dividing by two and converting to GBP.  

“To give a feel for it, we came into the year with a good amount of cash on the balance sheet. We’ll probably want to leave a reasonable amount for year-end as well in order to allow for working capital cycles and so on,” Wood said of Entain’s cash flow plans for the year.

Underlying EBITDA across the group hit £583 million in H1, up 11% from last year. Meanwhile, gross profit rose 3% to £1.6 billion.

Locke took on his new role at NAGRA in July, having served as vice president since 2024. He is also the chief operating officer of compliance for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

During the conference, Locke joined Jamie Wall, senior manager international regulatory partnerships at Britain’s Gambling Commission, for a special podcast. The session covered the link-up between NAGRA and the Gambling Commission and what benefits this offers to both organisations and the wider market.

“Over the past five or six years in North America, we have seen this explosive modernisation and evolution of the gambling sector,” Locke said. “Regulators across the continent have quickly identified that world has gotten smaller very quickly.”

Locke also pointed to growing interest in UK- and Europe-based events in betting markets across North America. He said linking up with the commission and other regulators across Europe would help improve integrity within the sector.

“We’re seeing events in the UK and rest of Europe that our markets in North America are betting on,” he said. “So, when we have those integrity alerts coming in, we all need to come together. The UK may have their integrity team looking at the same thing, but we can act far more efficiently and quickly if we’re co-ordinated in those efforts.”

As to why NAGRA elected to work with the commission, Locke said the association had been seeking partners that are “leaders in regulation”. Such relationships, he said, would help to evolve regulation in the fast-changing North American market.

NAGRA keen to share best practices

On this, Locke called for greater collaboration between European and North American regulators to better address shared concerns related to gambling.

While he ruled out the possibility of a “universally applied regulatory model” for regulators on both continents to follow, he said the greater the commonality between regulation, the easier it will be for both regulators and operators.

“What I’ve learnt through my involvement with NAGRA is there are so many small differences between each state that sometimes make it challenging to achieve a certain level of co-ordination,” he said

“We need to find a way for more seamless regulatory services in integrated markets. We should have high standards but make it easy for operators to understand what requirements are.”

Locke even spoke about the possibility of regulators and associations sharing models with each other. This, he said, would allow bodies to learn from those that have succeeded in tackling certain issues.

“The more we can do that, the more time it will save jurisdictions,” he said. “I don’t think there is any pride of ownership in any of these models. They are all keen to share and for other regulators to make it right for their own context.”

Las Vegas ‘too expensive’ for tourists

The US gambling haven of Las Vegas is becoming “too expensive” for tourists, according to a new poll.

Some 87.9% of over 15,000 respondents said the Nevada city is not affordable for tourists. In contrast, just 6.6% said it was not too expensive, while 5.5% were undecided.

Conducted by Las Vegas Locally, the poll, published on X, also drew comments suggesting the problem is deeper than simple affordability for tourists. Several comments said locals can also no longer afford to visit the famous Strip.

Concerns raised included minimum bets of $25 on tables, the price of food and drinks and rising hotel room costs.

Betano scores extension with Sporting CP

Betano has signed an extension to its partnership with Portuguese football club Sporting CP.

The new deal runs for four years, through to the end of the 2028-29 season. Betano, a brand of Kaizen Gaming, will remain the club’s premium sponsor and work with Sporting on various activations and initiatives.

The agreement covers Sporting’s A and B teams. Betano branding will continue to appear on the front of Sporting playing jerseys.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Sporting Clube de Portugal,” Kaizen Chief Commercial Officer Julio Iglesias said. “Over the years, we have built a solid relationship based on trust and shared ambition.”

Gaming Corps doubles monthly production with expanded agreement

Gaming Corps is to double its monthly game output under an expanded deal with an unnamed operator.

The widened remote game server (RGS) agreement is effective immediately. Gaming Corps said the partnership is with a “a major global iGaming group” and will deliver two new titles per month.

Swedish-based Gaming Corps added that the partnership forms part of its broader strategic partnership with major shareholder Denwena Limited. This, it added, has led to increased production demands for original content.

Gaming Corps CEO Juha Kauppinen said: “Our close collaboration with Denwena gives us the opportunity to write completely new chapters in our journey.”

CT Interactive eyes Argentina with Ondiss deal

CT Interactive has announced a strategic partnership with Argentine online casino platform provider Ondiss.

CT Interactive’s titles have been integrated into the Ondiss platform. This will expand the company’s reach within the regulated iGaming market in Argentina.

The deal builds on an existing retail relationship with Ondiss, covering the Casino & Hotel Casino Magic in Neuquén.

“Partnering with Ondiss marks a pivotal step in our Latin America strategy,” CT Interactive Chief Operating Officer Martin Ivanov said. “This collaboration allows us to strengthen our footprint in one of the most promising markets in the region.”

Incentive Games enters UK with Jumpman Gaming

Incentive Games is to launch real-money content in the UK through a link-up with Jumpman Gaming.

The deal will see content from the provider’s Incentive Studios division added to Jumpman-owned platforms. Jumpman operates a number of online casino and bingo sites.

The announcement comes after Incentive Games secured a licence from Britain’s Gambling Commission in March this year.

Ahmed Baker, chief commercial officer at Incentive Games, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Jumpman Gaming as our first UK operator, marking a major step forward in Incentive Games’ real-money expansion. Their reach and unique white-label model give us access to a wide network of brands, making this a powerful launchpad.”

The dispute originated in the two companies’ native Georgia but spilled over into the UK after Aviator LLC initiated proceedings in late 2024. However, Spribe struck the first blow with a counterclaim, filed in April, which resulted in Judge Anthony Mann issuing an interim injunction on 31 July to block Aviator LLC from launching a competing crash game in the UK market.

Spribe founder David Natroshvili claimed the interim injunction shows the UK court supports the supplier’s position.

“Spribe created the Aviator crash game in 2018 and is the sole owner of the game globally,” Natroshvili said. “We will continue to take all necessary steps globally to protect Spribe, our partners and players from any third parties who seek to undermine or infringe our rights.”

The ruling means Spribe does not face any competition from a “copycat” title launched by Aviator LLC ahead of a trial. Sources close to the case suggest the trial will start either late next year or early 2027 and is likely to last a number of weeks.

Aviator LLC is looking to highlight that Spribe was required to give an undertaking to provide compensation if the interim injunction was later found to be wrongfully granted. However, this is normal and expected under UK civil procedure. It is used as a safeguard to balance the fact that interim injunctions are granted before a full trial where complete arguments are heard.

Aviator LLC claims it was not planning on launching a crash game

Spribe’s response to the ruling has been widely shared in industry media. It centres around Aviator LLC intending to release its “copycat” crash game in the UK under the Aviator brand and engaging in what Spribe claims are “promotional communications” targeting Spribe’s UK customers.

“This copycat game is not authorised by Spribe,” the supplier said. “It blatantly infringes the copyright works which Spribe owns in its game and seeks to misappropriate the goodwill which Spribe has created in its Aviator brand.”

This necessitated the interim injunction to “prevent the clear risk of reputational and financial damage” from Aviator LLC, Spribe added.

Aviator LLC said it does not intend to launch a competing crash game in the UK, although it continues to assert its ownership over the Aviator-branded crash game.

No GB licence for Aviator LLC … yet

As first reported by Law360, Aviator LLC’s argument against the interim injunction focused on the improbability of it applying for a licence before the case went to trial.

Aviator’s Malta-based subsidiary of Aviator Studio Holding Limited (Malta) has not yet applied for a Gambling Commission licence and argued the process would not be completed before the IP trial.

“The restriction imposed on Aviator LLC aligns with the fact that Aviator had already decided it was not going to launch a game in the UK anyway, nor will its licensee at this time,” the company said.

“The judge accepted the evidence presented by Aviator LLC confirming that the licensing process typically takes around a year,” it continued. “No such licence has been applied for, and no company has yet been formed for that purpose. It is therefore highly likely that the trial will conclude before any licence application is processed, rendering the interim injunction commercially irrelevant.”

However, Aviator LLC did point out that there was nothing to stop it from applying for a Gambling Commission licence ahead of the trial.

More details on the case

In its statement, Aviator LLC also looked to highlight several elements rejected from Spribe’s counterclaim by Judge Mann.

It claims Spribe also requested that Aviator LLC be blocked from: 

• Offering and/or promoting the Aviator Studio crash game to UK consumers.
• Distributing any emails or press releases in the UK.
• Making any statements – public or private – asserting Aviator LLC’s ownership of the Aviator IP.
• Stating that Spribe isn’t the rightful owner of said IP.
• Posting any of the above-mentioned statements on the aviator.studio website.

Sources close to the case wouldn’t comment on the specifics of the claim but said Judge Mann believed the supplier was adequately projected by the interim injunction. The judge’s full written decision is expected to be published later this week.

Spribe is represented by Benet Brandreth KC and Christopher Hall of 11 South Square, instructed by Bird & Bird in the case. Aviator LLC is represented by Simon Malynicz KC and Gwilym Harbottle of Hogarth Chambers, instructed by Allen Overy Shearman Sterling.

Georgian IP dispute spills over into other markets

The ongoing dispute began in Spribe and Aviator LLC’s home country of Georgia. It became widely known after the Court of the First Instance ruled in favour of Aviator LLC, the former owner of the country’s leading gambling operator Adjarabet, since acquired by Flutter. It awarded the claimant €330 million in damages and invalidated trademark registrations for the Aviator crash game.

That €330 million figure is the same amount Flutter paid to acquire Adjarabet in 2019.

Spribe launched the game in 2019 and it quickly became a hugely successful product across the world. The Aviator game is certified in more than 40 jurisdictions and played by more than 35 million players every month across more than 4,500 brands, according to the supplier.

However, the Georgian judgment, according to sources at the time, stemmed from an agreement for Adjarabet to offer the Aviator crash game in Georgia and Armenia under an exclusive agreement. 

This agreement only covered those two markets and did not stop Spribe from launching Aviator – and registering its trademark – elsewhere, sources told iGB. Furthermore, Aviator is no longer available in the Georgian market.

Aviator LLC later announced a settlement with Flutter, under which it would supply Aviator-branded crash games to the gaming giant. Flutter has been contacted for clarity on the agreement.

At the time the news broke, individuals familiar with Georgia’s legal system said the case, which Spribe continues to fight, could take up to three years to conclude. They also pointed out the First Instance judgment came after around eight months, far quicker than the usual 16-18 month turnaround for similar cases.

Aviator LLC claims to have filed similar suits in other markets, although it has not yet said where.

The UK think tank has suggested a significant uptick across the current remote gambling tax rates and gaming machines duty could raise over £3 billion ($4 billion) per year.

It recommended increasing remote gaming duty from 21% to 50%, and machine games duty from 20% to 50% of operator profit. This would go along with increasing general betting duty from 15% to 25%, “bringing other sports in line with … horse racing”, it said. Under this increase, the IPPR said the government could generate an additional £1.8 billion in 2026-27.

The proposed machine games levy increase could raise £880m, while the general betting duty rise could generate £450 million.

Such increases could be used to scrap the controversial two-child limit and benefit cap, which was introduced in 2017, the think tank added.

It believes these changes could increase fairness and reduce the complexity in gambling tax infrastructure.

“The industry benefits from unique tax advantages, including a complete exemption from VAT [sales tax] – unlike almost any other consumer-facing sector,” it added. “These reforms would ensure the industry contributes more fairly, reflecting both its profits and the social costs it creates.”

The think tank, which has a track record of influencing political debate, said its proposals targeted the “profitable parts of the gambling industry … where harms are concentrated and revenues have soared”.

According to the report, “over 60% of gambling profits come from just 5% of users, many of whom are at high risk of serious harm”.

Operators pay ‘little or no corporation tax’, says IPPR

IPPR stated that online operators pay “little or no corporation tax”, adding that “in 2021, two of the largest operators paid effective tax rates of just 3% and 4%”.

Justifying the proposal, Henry Parkes, principal economist and head of quantitative research at IPPR, said the gambling industry is highly profitable but is exempt from paying VAT and often pays no corporation tax, with many online firms based offshore.

“It is also inescapable that gambling causes serious harm, especially in its most high-stakes forms. Set against a context of stark and rising levels of child poverty, it only feels fair to ask this industry to contribute a little more.”

Black market ‘unlikely to be a major threat’

The gaming sector is already being threatened by a potential increase to UK gambling taxes as the government undergoes a consultation to consolidate the current three remote gambling tax rates into one.

The industry has warned this could be detrimental for the UK gambling sector and destroy the horse racing industry.

A YouGov survey in June reported that up to two-thirds of players could transition to the black market if costs from gambling tax increases were passed onto the consumer.

Controversially, the IPPR has said the black market is “unlikely to be a major threat” to its proposed reform to more than double gambling taxes.

However, the IPPR suggested such fears are overblown.

“Not only is there little robust evidence to suggest that stronger regulation would drive large numbers of people to the illegal market, there is even less to suggest that altering the rate of taxation will do so,” the IPPR release said.

The sector has acknowledged the black market is a significant threat to it, particularly in the face of tightening regulations, which is pushing players to frictionless options offshore.

Notably, a 2024 survey commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) estimated that up to £2.7bn is staked online with black market operators each year in the UK. The survey also found that more than one in seven gamblers recognise at least one unlicensed gambling brand.

‘Economically reckless’ says BGC

Responding to the IPPR’s proposal on Thursday the BGC said: “We completely reject the proposals by the IPPR … which will only hit ordinary punters.

“These proposals are economically reckless, factually misleading and risk driving huge numbers to the growing, unsafe, unregulated gambling black market, which doesn’t protect consumers and contributes zero tax.”

The BGC stated that its members contribute £6.8bn to the economy, generate £4bn in tax and support 109,000 jobs.

“Further tax rises … would do more harm than good — for punters, jobs, growth and public finances.”

The BGC also said it was “incorrect to suggest horseracing is taxed at a higher rate” and added it was misleading to conflate the sport’s separate levy with tax.

What can the UK learn from gambling tax hikes in Europe?

Similar changes made in neighbouring markets have indicated tax increases can have a negative impact on the sector and cause players to move to illegal offerings.

In the Netherlands, remote gambling tax was increased in January to 34.2%. Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the KSA, this week said the change had weakened player protection efforts by making it financially more difficult for providers. This has led to a decrease in GGR for the entire market.

Similarly, stakeholders in Germany have long bemoaned strict measures like online slots stakes and higher taxes, which have impacted channelisation over time.

Gordon Brown backing

The IPPR’s proposals have been backed by former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

“Thanks to IPPR’s report, we now know that taxing gambling more fairly would fully fund the first crucial step in the war we must wage against child poverty: ending the two-child limit and lifting the benefit cap,” he said.

“There are many reasons why the highly profitable betting and gaming industry should pay a fairer share towards the cost of UK’s un-met needs. Most important is that it would enable half a million children to be lifted out of poverty in this autumn’s budget, and so help to build our country for the next generation.”

Autumn tax rises

The timing of the report is particularly pertinent.

A separate think tank, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, warned this week that taxes in the UK must rise in the autumn budget if the government is to meet its self-imposed borrowing goals.

As things stand, the report said, the ruling Labour Party is set to miss its target by £41.2 billion.

Speaking to iGB this week, Hurst insists the public and national media’s perception of gambling is one of her “biggest bugbears”. She believes it is providing a voice to anti-gambling lobbyists, who will never change their minds.

“I do think that there is still a slight misconception about the industry among the broader public, which is something that the BGC is working really hard to alter,” Hurst says.

In her view, one of the BGC’s key objectives is to to inform the general public of the real state of the gambling sector, using evidence to counter the negative media discourse.

“There’s a number of ways we can do,” Hurst adds.

“Having the evidence base to counter some of the myths, misconceptions and quite frankly lies that you read in the media sometimes is really important and an important role for the BGC to play.

“But also, listening to the customers and asking their views about what it is they think about whatever myth is being peddled at that particular moment in time. So I think there is a huge role for the BGC to play, and we’re working really hard at that.”

Sector should be doing more to improve its reputation, says Hurst

But she believes the sector should be doing more to alter the public’s negative perception of gambling in the UK.

She highlights huge advancements in player protection and responsible gambling, particularly following the Gambling Act review and subsequent white paper.

“We have made significant progress, but there’s more we can do,” Hurst says. “It’s frustrating because I know how proactive and responsible the industry is.

“But as we all know, kind of good news doesn’t really sell most of the time. And so it’s trying to weave that good news story into our day-to-day comms, which is really important, which we’ve been doing and will continue to do to highlight the positive elements that the industry is doing and has done already.”

How will mandatory levy funding be spent?

Hurst believes the BGC has become a unified voice for the licensed UK gambling sector, a role the body will continue to serve by communicating with external stakeholders such as the government and the Gambling Commission.

Hurst expresses concerns over the new mandatory levy, introduced this year after being recommended in the 2023 white paper.

Specifically, she holds reservations over whether funding could be used to support anti-gambling research and education, which would be harmful for those facing gambling harms, she says.

“I think continuing to lead the way in education and awareness, where we can outside of the mandatory levy, will be really important, but a lot of it now is being taken out of our hands with the new system, so just need to be conscious and careful that that’s being delivered.”

Tax harmonisation proposals another concern

Another area of concern for Hurst, the BGC and the wider UK industry is the government’s recent announcement of plans to restructure the current online gambling tax system.

Currently, the UK has three separate tax rates for online betting. Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) taxes operators at 21% of profits, General Betting Duty (GBD) at 15% of profit and Pool Betting Duty (PBD) at 15% of net stake receipts.

The government’s new proposal will consolidate the three rates into one. Stakeholders are concerned the rate will be increased to 21% across all verticals.

A recent YouGov survey suggested nearly two-thirds of bettors surveyed would turn to unlicensed operators if the gambling tax is increased.

Hurst echoes those concerns. She says fighting those proposals will be the BGC’s biggest challenge over the next few months.

“We have been very vocal about saying [the single tax rate] would be hugely self-defeating, as it wouldn’t achieve the government’s aims of trying to raise more money, which I think is the bottom line,” Hurst continues. “It will be hugely detrimental for the customer offer, and also growing the black market.

“And [the tax change would] hugely reduce the amount of support for really important British sports, namely horse racing, but others, like rugby league, darts and snooker.”

Hurst took over as BGC CEO in September last year, joining the organisation after six and a half years as Entain’s group director of corporate affairs.

During her first year leading the BGC, the sector has faced significant change and uncertainty on the implementation of white paper reforms largely happening all at once.

The UK industry has been further hampered by media scrutiny, particularly on topics such as advertising and tax.