Public despair over UK's proposed affordability checks

ONE BIG STORY

Freedom of Information request uncovers public despair over UK’s proposed affordability checks

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) conducted a brief survey which closed in February 2021, focusing on gambling harm prevention. The results of the 12,000-strong responses were never formally published, with only a brief round-up of the results included in the UKGC’s consultation on affordability checks last year.

However, industry analysts, Regulus Partners, have finally got their hands on the full results following a recent Freedom of Information request – and it makes for fascinating reading.

Of the 12,066 responses to the question about bookmakers accessing more information on their financial affairs by way of an affordability check, over 48% said they’d be “very uncomfortable” doing so. In fact, only a quarter (25.53%) said they would be “comfortable” or “very comfortable”.

Almost 42% of 11,989 respondents said they’d refuse to provide information if their preferred bookmaker asked for more data to determine whether their gambling was affordable. Only 13.99% of respondents said they’d provide the necessary data.

Click here to find out if the data raises serious questions about the consumer appetite for financial risk checks in the British gambling industry.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

COMMERCIAL

• LeoVegas Group, owned by MGM Resorts International, has moved to purchase the assets of Tipico Group’s US-licensed online sportsbook and casino platforms. The acquisition gives LeoVegas access to a proprietary sportsbook solution across its international markets and brands. More ?
• Microbetting sportsbook, Betr, has been granted a sports betting licence in the state of Maryland. The state’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission granted the proposal, on the condition of a successful controlled demonstration pre-launch. More ?
• The Peruvian ministry of foreign trade and tourism has granted a licence to Betsson, allowing its Betsson and Betsafe brands to operate a regulated sports betting service in Peru. It’s the latest in a line of targeted Latin American markets for Betsson, having secured licences to operate in Argentina (Buenos Aires City) and Colombia (Cordoba). More ?
• Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has confirmed the Juroszek family has strengthened its shareholding in the company to 25.06%. The Polish family purchased new shares through multiple controlled entities, as SkyCity offloaded its 10.5% stake in the award-winning sportsbook and iGaming technology group. More

REGULATION

• Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has slapped a ￡37,498 fine on the Folkspel Lottery after allowing an underage player to gamble. The regulator received tip-offs regarding a televised lottery show, Bingolotto, which appeared to allow a minor to participate in one of its gameshows last December. More

TECHNOLOGY

• Negotiations remain ongoing over the domestic media rights for the top flight of French football, Ligue 1. With BeIN Sports, DAZN and Amazon Prime all said to be in discussions over a deal, the French Professional Football League (LFP) is also rumoured to be developing its own direct-to-consumer streaming platform. L’Equipe has estimated the service could yield over ￡438m in revenue per season. More

PEOPLE NEWS

Charlotte Emery named Entain’s new Chief Marketing Officer

Entain has a new chief marketing officer following the appointment of William Hill’s former chief brand officer, Charlotte Emery.

Emery announced her new post via LinkedIn, after starting her London-based role in June. Emery has been involved in the gambling sector since 2018, working as global marketing director and latterly chief brand officer for William Hill, before departing in January.

Emery proudly played a role in navigating William Hill through the challenging Covid pandemic, as well as its ￡2.9 billion sale to Caesars Entertainment.

Click here to get the thoughts of Emery on her time at William Hill and the opportunity that exists at Entain UK.

THIS WEEKS TALKING POINT

Upcoming Gambling Survey for Great Britain will be more thorough than its “outmoded” predecessor

Andrew Rhodes, chief executive of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has said the upcoming Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) will be more thorough than its predecessor which relied on “outmoded” methodology.

In the coming weeks, the GSGB is set for publication in full, usurping the NHS Health Surveys. During initial tests last year, the new methodology found the problem gambling rate was 2.5%, an eight-fold rise on previous official statistics.

While Professor Patrick Sturgis described the new methodology as “exemplary” in all areas for the revamped GSGB, critics already fear it substantially overstates the true level of gambling harm within the British population.

Rhodes has already intimated that the upcoming GSGB will result in headlines about the problem gambling rate being higher than expected.

Click here to find out what senior executives of Betfred and Evoke feel about the pathway to financial risk checks.

THIS WEEKS INSIGHT

India’s iGaming industry left untouched following the 53rd Goods and Services Tax Council

India’s iGaming industry left the 53rd Goods and Services Tax Council empty-handed after the meeting gave no oxygen to regulating the sector.

The hearing, hosted by Nirmala Sitharaman, left the 28% GST levy imposed on wagers on online games in play, with no indication of a re-evaluation. The tax, implemented nationwide in October 2023, was hiked from 18% to 28% by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet.

The 28% GST is charged on every player deposit, no matter whether it’s related to horseracing betting or online casino gaming.

The restrictive tax policy has already driven the likes of Super Group – the parent company of Betway – out of the market. Meanwhile, Flutter Entertainment, which owns the Junglee online Rummy room, is also weighing up its options.

Click here to find out more about a report from Ernst & Young in partnership with the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, which reveals that most companies are struggling to stay afloat in the Indian market due to the tax burden on revenues.