British Bookmakers Agree To Limit Advertising

An explosion in betting ads on British TV is raising social concerns the country’s biggest bookmakers have promised to address through formation of a self-policing agency. A range of...

Published September 22, 2014

Ranks Sounds Out Belfast on Casino

British gaming giant Rank Group is talking to officials in Belfast to gauge their support for a casino in the Northern Ireland capital. It’s strictly a proposal at this...

Published September 22, 2014

Tallying the War Against Russia’s Underground

When the Kremlin banished casinos and slot parlors from Russia’s major cities five years ago (a former casino in Moscow now up for lease at left), the industry went...

Published September 15, 2014

Gala’s Bingo Clubs for Sale

Britain’s Gala Coral Group wants to sell its 135 bingo clubs, the largest portfolio in the country. The deal could fetch more than £250 million and clear the way...

Published September 8, 2014

Crimea Casinos Could Be Tough Sell

Russian President Vladimir Putin (l.) is pushing for the Crimea to be designated the country’s fifth legal gaming zone. The Kremlin needs something to revive the annexed province’s ailing...

Published August 25, 2014

Rank Group Revenues Hit £707 Million

British casino and bingo giant Rank Group posted a strong second half to achieve revenues topping £700 million in the latest financial year. Things are expected to get better,...

Published August 25, 2014

Ho Bidding for Barcelona Casino

Macau casino tycoon Lawrence Ho (l.) is looking to expand into Europe with a bid for a resort casino at Barcelona’s proposed BCN World tourism and residential complex. A...

Published August 18, 2014

Cyprus Casino Comes Into View

The government of Cyprus has developed a regulatory outline for casino legalization on the Mediterranean island nation. The license could be awarded within a year, with requirements include a...

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England’s FA Institutes Total Betting Ban

World football’s match-fixing scandals have left England relatively unscathed, and the country’s top regulatory body, the Football Association, aims to keep it that way. Starting with the new season,...

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A UK First: Rewards Right at the Machine

British casino operator Aspers has introduced a new loyalty program that rewards players with credits delivered directly to the gaming device. It’s called Freeplay Xtra, and it’s never been...

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Ritz Club, Player Settle £5 Million Dispute

After accusing a high roller of bouncing a £5 million check and suing him in the UK’s High Court, London’s exclusive Ritz Club now says it was all a...

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Svenska Spel of Sweden Adopts Responsible Gaming Practice

The Swedish online gaming company, Svenska Spel, has ditched its player promotions and bonus enticements for responsible gaming.

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Caesars, Hard Rock Join Barcelona Bidding

Caesars Entertainment, Hard Rock International and Macau’s Lawrence Ho have submitted bids to develop resort casinos for Barcelona’s planned BCN World (l.). News reports said “several” bids were received...

Published August 4, 2014

Labour Proposes UK Betting Levy

With online gambling in Britain facing a regulatory overhaul and tax increase, the opposition Labour Party shadow Culture Secretary Harriet Harman (l.) is calling for a levy on all...

Published August 4, 2014

Putin Signs Crimea Casino Bill

The prospect of casinos in the Crimea and Sochi is moving closer to reality now that Russian President Vladimir Putin (l.) has signed the legalization bill. Both economies are...

Published July 28, 2014

Holland Casino Soon To Be History

The government of the Netherlands is breaking up its casino monopoly and opening the market to competition. Lotteries and online gambling also will be put out for bid.

Published July 21, 2014

EC Sets Out Social Responsibility Code

The European Commission has issued a number of recommendations to guide Member States in developing policies to protect online gambling consumers. The proposals, which are non-binding, stress social responsibility...

Published July 21, 2014

Casinos OK’d for Crimea, Sochi

Russian lawmakers have approved a bill to bring casinos to economically struggling Crimea and Sochi, site of the recent Winter Olympics (l.). The Crimea zone, expected to be centered...

Published July 14, 2014

Cigarette-Style Warnings on the Way?

The European Commission plans to urge EU Member States to require online gambling ads to carry warning labels about problem gambling. The EU executive also wants some forms of...

Published July 14, 2014

Illegal Greece: €5 Billion a Year

Black market gambling in Greece is huge and economically damaging, says at least one government agency. Volumes in the licensed market, meanwhile, have declined by more than a third...

Published July 14, 2014