This Week's Sports Betting Update

Hello, we’ve taken a look at what’s new, trending and being talked about in the sports betting world this week. Grab a coffee, take five minutes and we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know.

One big story?

BGC hails decline in problem gambling rates across the UK

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) is full of praise for operators within the UK gambling industry after new data from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) showed rates of problem gamblers had fallen to just 0.2%.

This data is based on a sample of 4,001 adults aged 16 and over and the outcome is a much-needed boost ahead of the UK government’s gambling industry white paper.

Michael Dugher, CEO, BGC, believes the government should consider this decline when defining new regulation. Dugher added the latest data reinforces his view that reform should be focused largely on the most at-risk players, pushing back at the alarmist demands of anti-gambling prohibitionists.

Click here to read more thoughts from Dugher, who explains the importance this survey should have on the upcoming white paper.

What you need to know

Commercial

• ???? Danish iGaming affiliate business Better Collective has sealed a new partnership with Goal.com, enabling it to provide unique sports betting content across Goal’s English, Spanish and Portuguese-speaking domains. James Lamon, senior vice president of content and operations at Goal’s owner, Footballco, says the deal will offer an enhanced calibre of data analysis and tips to enhance users’ football betting experience. More
• ?? International Game Technology (IGT) posted its FY22 results, which were in line with expectations, despite a fall within its core Global Lottery segment. IGT cut overheads across its business, in line with its strategy. In addition, group revenue was up year-on-year, underpinned largely by its PlayDigital and Global Gaming divisions. More
• ???? NeoGames has teamed up with Intralot do Brasil to unveil LotoMinas, the inaugural iGaming and sports betting solution for the Brazilian state-backed lottery, Loteria Mineira. NeoGames’ entry to the Brazilian market is a long-term move, underpinned by its subsidiaries, BtoBet and Aspire Global, which the firm acquired in 2022. More
• ???? The US state of New Hampshire posted all-time highs for sports betting revenue in January. Gross gaming revenue jumped to $12.3 million, which equates to a 54% year-on-year rise. It’s also a 48% month-on-month rise on December 2022. It comfortably surpassed the previous all-time high of $9.1m set in October 2022. More

Regulation

GambleAware has handed out ￡2m in funding to ten UK-based organisations specialising in the long-term support of individuals recovering from problem gambling. The money has been issued through its Aftercare Funding Programme (AFP), with each organisation hand-picked by a panel of experts. Smaller and new organisations could claim up to ￡150,000, while larger, well-established firms could claim ￡350,000 to enhance their work. More

Technology

Evo Casino’s underlying live dealer casino technology has powered the launch of Grosvenor Casino’s new Live Casino Studio. Featuring a 50-strong team of dealers and hosts, Grosvenor’s new Live Casino Studio will initially feature two 24/7 roulette tables and five 24/7 blackjack tables. The new service will also don the firm’s new brand identity, established in recent months. More

People news

SuperBet Group announces Hans-Holger Albrecht as its new chairman

Romania-based Superbet Group has confirmed the appointment of its new chairman, Hans-Holger Albrecht. The move is all part of Superbet’s grand plan to seek public listing, underpinning its future growth plans worldwide.

Albrecht, who has substantial board-level and senior experience, brings a lot to the table for Superbet. He is the former CEO of music streaming platform Deezer and remains chairman of digital real estate portal Scout24 Group.

Click here to get the thoughts of Albrecht and the exciting opportunity that awaits both him and Superbet as it embarks on continued expansion plans.

This week's talking point

Is the UK Gambling Commission fit for purpose?

That’s the question on the lips of Racing Post reporter Jonathan Harding, with the UKGC coming in for substantial criticism over the creation of a questionable regulatory environment. The commission has been hammered for penalising bookmakers that fail to deploy deeply unpopular affordability checks across their customer bases.

Harding says the UKGC has also been accused of “acting well beyond its remit” by prioritising a public health agenda at the expense of thousands of punters forced to disclose sensitive financial information before being allowed to spend their money as they see fit.

Although the commission has shown gumption to fine multiple operators for regulatory failings, there is a growing feeling that it is not ensuring the UK’s gambling industry is safe and fair for all.

In fact, everyday bettors increasingly feel like they’re getting a raw deal from the UKGC. Not only is it ushering through intrusive affordability checks, but it’s also failed to protect customers from flawed operators, with the collapse of Football Index the most recent case in point.

Click here to read more about why analysts and advisors fear the UKGC has formed a moral antagonism to betting as a pastime.

This week's insight

How will a new independent regulator for football affect its relationship with the betting industry?

A new white paper exploring the prospects for reform in the UK’s football industry has raised a string of concerns within the sport. Although it doesn’t strictly address football’s relationship with the gambling industry, the paper does state that clubs should work harder to reduce harm at all levels.

Any new independent regulator for British football will need clubs to present good basic financial practices and safeguard their core assets from harm.

With a regulator likely to push the sport towards a more sustainable course, it’s possible that gambling shirt sponsorship deals could be one of the first partnerships to bite the dust. Last year reports suggested English football clubs were mulling over a voluntary ban on such sponsorships.

Click here to learn more about the possible outcome of independent regulation on a sport that’s closely linked to gambling.

Enjoy this email? If so, let us know what you would like to hear more (or less) about here. We value your feedback to provide the most informative weekly newsletter in the industry.?

Was this forwarded to you by a friend or colleague? Sign up here to get your own copy of the news that matters sent to your inbox every week.