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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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SYNOT Games Partners with WIN2

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SYNOT Games, a leading content and solutions provider in the iGaming industry, has announced a new partnership with WIN2 in Romania, further expanding its presence in regulated markets.

As part of this collaboration, 134 SYNOT Games titles are now available on WIN2, including top-performing titles like Skull Bonanza, 27 Joker Fruits and Amazons’ Wonders. The integration was made possible through Crowd Entertainment, a trusted content aggregator with whom WIN2 recently initiated cooperation. This three-way partnership has enabled a smooth and efficient rollout of SYNOT Games’ content, setting the foundation for further expansion.

This launch marks a significant step forward for both companies, ensuring WIN2’s players gain access to SYNOT Games’ diverse and engaging portfolio, known for its striking visuals, smooth gameplay and mobile-first design.

WIN2 has also expressed a strong interest in making all SYNOT Games’ certified titles available soon, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to delivering quality, variety and regulated entertainment to its user base.

“We are excited to welcome WIN2 as a new partner and to bring our games to their growing player community,” said Martina Krajčí, CCO at SYNOT Games.

“This cooperation reflects our continued focus on expanding our footprint across trusted and certified platforms, and we look forward to a successful journey together.”

Dragoș Mămăligă, Deputy Director at WIN2, said: “Adding SYNOT Games to our portfolio means expanding our offering with proven, high-quality content that players love. We are thrilled to provide our players with access to such a wide and dynamic portfolio and are already working towards making even more titles available soon.”

The post SYNOT Games Partners with WIN2 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Creedroomz Introduces Cashout Blackjack

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Creedroomz has launched Cashout Blackjack, a new version of its popular Live Blackjack game designed to redefine player engagement. This major update features a groundbreaking Side Bet Gamble mechanic, a completely redesigned UI and other key enhancements that deliver a new standard of excitement.

The Side Bet Gamble is an industry-first feature that gives players total control over their side bet winnings. Unlike traditional bonus rounds that are passive or tied to specific game events, this optional decision occurs only for players who have won a side bet, right at the end of the round after the last dealer card has been dealt. Players are given a choice: Gamble their winnings for a chance to double their payout, or Skip and keep their original amount. This high-stakes, real-time decision point transforms every win into an exhilarating risk-reward moment.

Cashout Blackjack also includes a suite of powerful updates:

Sleek New UI: A fully redesigned interface built for seamless usability on all devices.

Rebalanced Side Bets: Payouts have been rebalanced to make side bets more compelling and rewarding.

Auto-stand applied on hard / non-splitable scores of 17, 18, 19 and 20.

The new Cashout Blackjack, complete with the Side Bet Gamble feature, is now available to all Creedroomz partners. This launch underscores Creedroomz’s strategic vision to provide partners with groundbreaking tools that ensure they remain at the forefront of the competitive iGaming market.

The post Creedroomz Introduces Cashout Blackjack appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BC.GAME to Showcase at SBC Summit 2025 in Lisbon

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BC.GAME, the award-winning online gaming platform, is going to participate in SBC Summit 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal, one of the most influential global events for the iGaming and sports betting industry. The company will welcome visitors at Booth F350, presenting its latest innovations, compliance strategies and regional growth plans.

Europe remains one of the fastest-expanding iGaming regions, with Portugal standing out as a market that combines strong revenue growth with a well-structured regulatory environment. Lisbon has increasingly become a hub for industry dialogue, connecting European operators with global partners. At this year’s summit, BC.GAME will highlight how it aligns with Europe’s evolving compliance standards while delivering engaging experiences for its worldwide community.

At Booth F350, BC.GAME will showcase how it is tailoring its platform to meet the expectations of both regulators and players in Europe. This includes:

• Compliance-first approach to match European regulatory standards.

• Localisation efforts for Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking communities, bridging Europe with Latin American markets.

• Community-driven features that enhance user experience across regulated environments.

BC.GAME views Lisbon not only as an entry point into Europe but also as a strategic bridge to Portuguese-speaking regions in Latin America and Africa. By emphasizing compliance, localisation and innovation, the company aims to expand its presence across multiple continents.

BC.GAME’s Head of Affiliates said: “SBC Summit 2025 is the ideal venue to showcase our vision and connect with partners across Europe and beyond. We invite everyone to visit us at Booth F350, where we will present the next steps of our global growth journey.”

The post BC.GAME to Showcase at SBC Summit 2025 in Lisbon appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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