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UK Gambling Firms Accused of Exaggerating Scale of Black Market Betting

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UK Gambling Firms Accused of Exaggerating Scale of Black Market Betting
UK Gambling Firms Accused of Exaggerating Scale of Black Market BettingReading Time: 3 minutes

 

UK Gambling firms have been accused of concocting a “dodgy dossier” to exaggerate the scale of black market betting, in an attempt to influence an upcoming government review expected to result in tougher regulation.

Gambling industry figures recently seized on a report claiming that 200,000 people in the UK spend £1.4bn on black market sites every year, warning that tougher regulation could drive more people into the arms of “unscrupulous” operators.

But in a letter to a cross-party group of MPs examining gambling-related harm, the Gambling Commission’s chief executive, Neil McArthur, delivered a withering assessment of the report.

The boss of the gambling regulator said the report, written by consultancy PwC, was “not consistent with the intelligence picture” and did not distinguish between real consumers using black market sites and bots or other automated systems.

He said the report should be treated cautiously, adding that it lacked any evidence to show an increase in illicit betting.

“We know that licensed operators and their trade bodies are concerned about the impact of the illegal market, but our own evidence suggests that the impact may be being exaggerated,” he said.

McArthur said black market concerns should be kept in proportion “despite … reports from consultants paid for by the industry, and should not distract from the need to continue to drive up standards and make gambling safer in the regulated market.”

Such direct criticism from the regulator will be a blow for the industry lobby group, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which has repeatedly referred to the report to back its arguments against stricter regulations.

The government is considering a range of measures that could involve limiting stakes on online virtual slot machines, or forcing web-based casinos to carry out thorough affordability checks if customers deposit a certain amount per month.

McArthur dismissed BGC’s suggestion that such measures could fuel a surge in black market operations.

“In any event, we are not convinced by the argument that suggests that raising standards in the licensed market will prompt consumers to gamble with illegal operators,” he said.

The Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who chairs the MPs’ group that receive the letter, said: “The online gambling industry talks up the threat of the black market in an attempt to resist regulation and protect its profits, but trying to hijack the debate by manufacturing dodgy dossiers of information to further their own ends is an incredibly transparent tactic and will not be any kind of excuse to hold down standards.”

The BGC and several of the UK’s major betting companies, which commissioned the report, refused a request to provide a copy.

But the Guardian has since obtained both a draft version, dated April 2019, and a final version, dated July 2019.

The two appear identical except that the final version removed a reference to the three firms that commissioned it, Ladbrokes owner GVC, William Hill and The Stars Group, which owned SkyBet and has since merged with Paddy Power owner Flutter.

Matt Zarb-Cousin, a former adviser to Jeremy Corbyn who runs the campaign group Clean Up Gambling, said: “The gambling industry has been quoting from this report as it attempts to drive a race to the bottom in regulation. Having finally seen the contents, it’s clear why it was reluctant to make this report available for public scrutiny.”

A BGC spokesperson said countries with tougher regulation than the UK had bigger black market problems.

“We have repeatedly called on the government to use the online harms bill to crack down on access to these sites, and we would support financial service providers being obliged to block black market transactions,” he said.


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: UK Gambling Firms Accused of Exaggerating Scale of Black Market Betting

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Scientific Games Builds on Digital Lottery Momentum with Key Executive Hires

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Company Continues Investment in Globally Expanding Digital Lottery Business

Scientific Games, the world’s largest lottery games company, is bolstering its digital leadership team with the appointment of two seasoned executives, underscoring its continued investment in its globally expanding digital business.

 

Keshav Pitani joins Scientific Games as Senior Vice President, Digital Games, bringing extensive experience in content, product development and innovation. He previously served for seven years as Senior Director of Product Development for Bally Technologies until its acquisition by Scientific Games Corporation in 2014.

Laura Higgins has been named Vice President, Customer Success & Strategy for the Company’s global digital team. She brings more than 20 years of experience in e-commerce, general management, strategy, product, marketing and finance from leading companies such as Procter & Gamble, Shutterfly, Albertsons and Gartner.

“Our Digital team is experiencing strong momentum and we’re building an adaptable organization with a clear focus on the future,” said Matt Lynch, President, Digital for Scientific Games. “We are thrilled to welcome top-tier digital experts like Keshav Pitani and Laura Higgins. Their addition to our team reflects our continued investment in innovation, which is key to long-term sustainability for our lottery customers worldwide through consumer-centric digital programs.”

Pitani will lead Scientific Games’ digital games and SG Content Hub strategy, leveraging his expertise across digital game studios and partnerships to drive innovation and growth. A proven leader in managing creative and technology teams, Pitani has a strong background in developing game studios, delivering omnichannel content and designing scalable platforms. His prior accomplishments include playing a critical product strategy role in Scientific Games Corporation’s 2022 launch of Light & Wonder and the company’s successful entry into the U.S. and Canadian video lottery markets. Pitani has successfully launched creative digital and retail product verticals, designed a real-time AI product for high-speed casino play activity, and developed the satellite communication sub-system used in Boeing 737s and 747s.

Higgins spent most of her career identifying new growth opportunities in the consumer product goods, digital and ecommerce sectors, building and running new businesses. She has a proven track record of unlocking growth and loyalty through a deep understanding of customers and marketplaces. At Procter & Gamble, Higgins led the launch of several new consumer products as a Brand Director within Home Care. As General Manager of Category Expansion at Shutterfly, she drove new category development. Most recently, as Vice President of Shopper Engagement Platforms at Albertsons, she led a team that launched highly successful digital programs integrating retail consumer experiences and leveraging AI-powered assistant innovations.

Scientific Games is a trusted partner to more than 30 lotteries globally with iLottery solutions, including in the U.S., Canada, UK, Denmark, Germany, France and Turkey. With operations on five continents, the company provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries worldwide.

The post Scientific Games Builds on Digital Lottery Momentum with Key Executive Hires appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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The winners of the Casino Guru Awards 2025 announced: A night of celebration, integrity, and inspiration

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The Casino Guru Awards 2025 concluded in spectacular fashion last night, as nearly 150 distinguished guests gathered at the stunning Portomaso Suite, Hilton Hotel, to honor the changemakers shaping a safer and fairer future for online gambling.

From laughter echoing through the elegant venue to heartfelt applause for industry trailblazers, the atmosphere was vibrant and full of purpose. The night wasn’t just a gala, it was a statement. In her opening speech, Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Projects Director at Casino Guru, set the tone:

“The Casino Guru Awards are more than just trophies and titles. They’re a celebration of the people and companies who are truly moving the industry forward. The ones who choose to be responsible, innovative, and proactive in how they do business.”

Hosted by Martin Sepiano, the evening honored the winners in 10 categories, all evaluated through a radically transparent and values-driven process. And the winners are:

  1. iGaming Changemaker of the Year: Ebbe Groes, CEO, EveryMatrix
  2. Most Effective Handling of Complaints: Vulkan Vegas
  3. Most Transparent Casino: OnlyWin Casino
  4. Most Impactful Social Responsibility Initiative: Mindway AI
  5. Fairest General Terms & Conditions: OnlyWin Casino
  6. Fairest Bonus Policy: Wazbee Casino
  7. Best Implementation of RG Tools (Operators): L&L Europe
  8. Best Implementation of RG Tools (Providers): Mindway AI
  9. Voice of the People – Public Vote: iWild Casino
  10. Players’ Choice Casino – Public Vote: Pragmatic Play

Following the awards, the celebration continued at the glamorous Tiffany Lounge, where guests enjoyed cocktails, conversation, and music by DJ Luke Panza until late into the night.

The Awards stand apart for their credibility, with judges required to declare conflicts of interest, direct interviews with shortlisted nominees, and clear evaluation criteria. This year’s edition saw over 150,000 public votes in the “Voice of the People” category, reinforcing the Awards’ commitment to transparency and community-driven recognition.

“This night isn’t just about recognition, it’s about building momentum for lasting change,” added Sliva. “Seeing this room filled with leaders who care about integrity and fairness makes me hopeful for what’s next.”

With a powerful lineup of finalists, the Casino Guru Awards 2025 Gala reaffirmed that ethical innovation in iGaming isn’t just an ideal, it’s becoming a reality.

The post The winners of the Casino Guru Awards 2025 announced: A night of celebration, integrity, and inspiration appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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MightyTips and Boomerang Partners expand media collaboration with exclusive Andrea Pirlo interview

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MightyTips, one of the leading global football content platforms, is proud to announce the next stage of its strategic media partnership with Boomerang Partners, a prominent player in the iGaming industry, highlighted by an exclusive interview with Italian legend Andrea Pirlo.

This expanded collaboration builds on a shared commitment to delivering world-class football content and exclusive access to the gam’s iconic figures.

“Collaborating with Boomerang has allowed us to go beyond match stats and predictions”, said Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR of SEOBROTHERS. “It’s about capturing the emotional and personal side of football – what it means to the players and the fans.”

In the exclusive MightyTips interview, Pirlo spoke about pivotal career moments, his former AC Milan and Italy partners, including Paolo Maldini and Francesco Totti, and the heartbreak of the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, which he described as the most painful defeat of his career.

“Every child who wants to be a footballer dreams of winning the World Cup”, Pirlo told MightyTips. “It’s the ultimate prize, the pinnacle of success in our sport. For me, lifting that trophy was the realisation of a dream that seems almost unattainable for so many.”

With this renewed commitment, MightyTips and Boomerang Partners will continue to collaborate on original interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and compelling media projects that bring fans to football closer than ever.

The full Andrea Pirlo interview is available now on MightyTips.com.

The post MightyTips and Boomerang Partners expand media collaboration with exclusive Andrea Pirlo interview appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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