Archive | September, 2020

UKGC threatens to ban HVC/VIP schemes if new High Value Customers guidance is not followed

The Gambling Commission has today (30 September 2020) published: its Response to consultation on strengthening controls on how licensees incentivise high spending customers and its High Value Customers Industry Guidance that will come into effect on 31 October 2020, each of which you can download below. In the case of the HVC Industry Guidance downloadable […]

UKGC publishes guidance on controlling the gambling-related ads consumers see on Facebook

The Gambling Commission has published guidance for consumers entitled “Controlling the gambling-related ads you see on Facebook” (that you can download below. Announcing publication of the guidance on its website, the Commission has said: The Gambling Commission has partnered with Facebook to create guidance aimed at limiting the number of gambling-related adverts users see on […]

20% reduction in unintentional advertising by Europe’s major gambling brands on IPR infringing websites

All holders of UK gambling operating licences are obliged to comply with Operating Licence condition 16.1.1 (Responsible placement of digital adverts) that provides as follows: 1 Licensees must: (a) ensure that they do not place digital advertisements on websites providing unauthorised access to copyrighted content; (b) take all reasonable steps to ensure that third parties […]

BGC Game Design Code of Conduct introduces safer gambling changes to online game design

The Betting & Gaming Council has today (25 September 2020) unveiled changes to online game design, involving slower spin speeds, more checks on players and improved access to safer gambling information. This follows (but takes account of certain matters raised in) the Gambling Commission’s consultation on online slots game design and reverse withdrawals that closed […]

Hospitality sector response to the Chancellor’s Winter Economy Plan

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has today (24 September 2020) made a speech in Parliament (that you can download below), unveiling the UK government’s Winter Economy Plan, intended to protect jobs and support businesses over the coming months. Of particular relevance for the UK hospitality sector are the following elements of his speech: with […]

EGBA continues work to unite EU gambling regulations under one banner

In June 2016, David Clifton was quoted in World Online Gambling Report as saying “In Europe, mutual recognition of gambling licences issued in EU Member States is now a long lost dream. Cooperation rather than harmonisation seems to be the way forward”.  The pan-European trade body, the European Gaming & Betting Association (“EGBA”) is nevertheless […]

Licensing consequences of insolvency demand prompt action by landlords and insolvency practitioners alike

Following on from her “Cumulative success in the remote licensing sphere” posting earlier this month, Suzanne Davies reveals another of her recent licensing successes, that will be of particular interest to (a) landlords and (b) insolvency practitioners who are appointed as a Liquidator or Administrator or who are working on a CVA alongside an operator […]

Call for evidence on loot boxes in video games

Ahead of its forthcoming review of the Gambling Act 2005 and as foreshadowed in June 2020, the UK Government has launched a call for evidence (that you can download below) on the impact of loot boxes in video games, to examine concerns that they may encourage or lead to problem gambling. Its accompanying DCMS press […]

Flutter Entertainment & Tom Watson tie-up provokes further comment

Comments by David Clifton feature in an EGR Intel article published today and entitled “Does Flutter’s Tom Watson tie-up make sense?” Commenting on the recruitment by Flutter Entertainment of former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson as an adviser with a focus on responsible gambling, David is quoted as follows: I regard Watson’s appointment by Flutter […]

Second wave of coronavirus results in imposition of fresh restrictions

The Prime Minister has today (22 September 2020) made a statement on coronavirus to the House of Commons (that you can download below), in which he announced new measures within England to address the fast-increasing speed of the second wave of infection, adding that the devolved administrations will be taking similar steps. Measures intended to […]