We regularly write articles for industry and legal journals & magazines, including commentaries for Online Gambling Lawyer & iGaming Business, a monthly “Licensing Expert” piece for SBC News and a fortnightly page for Pub & Bar and, with their permission, are reproducing them on our website, together with our own news items and reports on topical issues affecting the leisure and gambling industries.

Children’s exposure to TV gambling and alcohol ads declines – but that’s not the full story

As reported by us here, in February 2019 the Advertising Standards Agency published data from 2008 to 2016 looking at children’s exposure to age-restricted ads. The ASA has now published an updated report, incorporating information from 2018. It shows a decline, since 2013, in children’s exposure to TV ads for alcohol and gambling. You can download the […]

Consultation commences on the regulation of gambling in Northern Ireland

The Gambling Act 2005 applies to all parts of the UK with the exception of Northern Ireland, where gambling is regulated under the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. One consequence of this is that no land-based casinos are entitled to open in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Department for Communities has now […]

Consultation on society lottery consultation launched

The Gambling Commission has today launched a consultation on society lottery reform that runs until 12 March 2020. This arises from: a June 2018 DCMS consultation on proposed changes to the amount of money that society lotteries can raise for good causes and the Government’s announcement of the outcome of that consultation in July 2019. […]

Review of Gambling Act 2005 confirmed in today’s Queen’s Speech background briefing notes

Today’s Queen’s Speech December 2019 – background briefing notes (that can be downloaded below) contain the following reference to a forthcoming review of the Gambling Act 2005: Online Harms “My ministers will develop legislation to improve internet safety for all.” The Government will carry out a review of the Gambling Act, with a particular focus on tackling issues around […]

Gambling Commission launches new online service for personal licence holders

The Gambling Commission has announced the launch of what it describes as “a new online and mobile-friendly service which allows personal gambling licences to be managed and administered far quicker than before”. The new service, available on the Commission’s website, allows personal licence holders to quickly change personal details, report key events linked to their licence, and […]

Limit-setting appears appears to be an effective responsible gambling tool

An interesting article within the current edition of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking entitled “The effects of voluntary deposit limit-setting on long-term online gambling expenditure” (by Michael Auer, Niklas Hopfgartner and Mark D Griffiths) concludes that limit-setting appears to be an effective responsible gambling tool. The article – published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc, publishers – can be accessed online here. The abstract […]

David Clifton to present “Regulatory Round-Up – UK, Sweden, Italy” at iGB Affiliate London

David Clifton will be presenting a “Regulatory Round-Up – UK, Sweden, Italy” session at 11.45am on Thursday 6 February 2020 at the iGB Affiliate London Exhibition and Conference – a must-attend event for gambling affiliates and operators alike – being held at ExCel London during ICE week between 5 and 8 February 2020 (details below): 5 February – Pre-registration […]

Gambling Commission publishes new RET licence condition reminder

The UK Gambling Commission has published in its latest e-bulletin a reminder to its licence-holders that, as originally reported by us on 2 August 2019, with effect from 1 January 2020 the annual financial contribution made by licensees for gambling research, prevention and treatment (as required by the LCCP SR code 3.1.1) must be made solely […]

Fireside chat with Brigid Simmonds, Chairman of the BGC: 22 January 2020

David Clifton will be conducting a “fireside chat” with Betting and Gambling Council Chairman, Brigid Simmonds, at KnowNow’s third annual Social Responsibility for Gambling Operators conference taking place at Prospero House 241 Borough High Street, London SE1 1GA on Wednesday 22 January 2020. This should serve to provide a fascinating insight into the BGC’s plans for 2020, […]

Protecting consumers and ensuring gambling advertising is responsible

An interesting article about gambling advertising by Dr Mark Griffiths appears in the Winter 2019 edition of Online Gambling Focus, published by the European Gaming & Betting Association. It is introduced as follows by Maarten Haijer, the Secretary General of EGBA: With several countries adopting new measures related to gambling advertising over the past year, it […]