Welsh Senedd backs greyhound racing ban set for 2027 rollout
Wales’ parliament, the Senedd, has voted in favour of legislation that will prohibit greyhound racing, citing concerns around animal welfare.
‘Let us block the bookies!’ Council wants more powers to stop the spread of gambling venues
Councillors and local charities are calling for changes to gambling laws, arguing that current regulations make it difficult to prevent the expansion of betting shops and gaming venues on high streets.
Black Market Profiting During Cheltenham as Criminal Operators Target Racing’s Biggest Week
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that the illegal gambling market could have made significant gains during the Cheltenham Festival, with estimates suggesting up to £60 million may have been wagered with unlicensed operators across the four-day event, roughly £2 million per race. Britain’s total annual horse racing betting turnover is estimated at […]
Betsson Expands Canadian Footprint with Rhino Entertainment Acquisition
Swedish iGaming operator Betsson AB has agreed to purchase the Canadian consumer-facing operations of Rhino Entertainment Group in a deal valued at €64.5 million (approximately $74.3 million). The acquisition represents a strategic step for Betsson as it seeks to strengthen its position in North America’s fast-growing online gambling market. Under the agreement, Betsson will take […]
AI and Gambling: Chatbots Pointing Users to Unlicensed Online Casinos Across Europe
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how people search for information online, but it is also creating new challenges for the online gambling sector. A recent investigation by Investigate Europe found that several AI-powered chatbots operating in Europe are directing users toward unlicensed online casinos. In certain cases, the systems even suggested ways to bypass safeguards […]
Vegas Gambler and Whistleblower RJ Cipriani Files $150M Lawsuit Against Hollywood Executive
Professional gambler and self-described “fixer” R. J. Cipriani has launched a new legal battle, this time targeting Hollywood rather than the casino industry. Cipriani has filed a $150 million breach-of-contract and fraud lawsuit against Jeff Shell, the president of Paramount Skydance. The case centres on allegations that Shell failed to pay Cipriani for crisis-management work […]
UKGC cautions on-course bookmakers ahead of Cheltenham Festival over suspicious betting activity
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a reminder to on-course bookmakers operating during the Cheltenham Festival to remain alert to potential suspicious betting activity and to uphold their licensing obligations. Ahead of the annual racing meeting, the regulator urged licence holders to stay vigilant while handling high volumes of cash and to ensure appropriate […]
BGC unveils DEI principles for UK betting industry
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has introduced a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Statement of Principles designed to strengthen fair and inclusive workplaces across the regulated UK betting and gaming sector. The initiative was announced ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March and outlines shared commitments for BGC members to support respect, […]
Stoke City posts £60m profit after bet365 demerger, but underlying losses increase
Stoke City reported a pre-tax profit of roughly £60m for the financial year ending 31 May 2025, largely due to £90.5m in intragroup loans from former owner bet365 being written off. According to financial statements submitted to Companies House, the Championship club recorded an operating loss of £29.5m. This represents a slight increase compared with […]
Google revises policies on alcohol, prescription drugs, gambling and government services
Google has announced a series of updates affecting both Google Ads and Google Merchant Centre policies. The changes span multiple areas, including alcohol subscriptions, prescription drug billing models, gambling regulations, and advertising rules around government documents and services. Google Merchant Centre’s physical goods subscriptions policy is being expanded to formally cover alcohol products, such as […]
Nationwide figures highlight concerns over heavy gambling among a minority of UK customers
Newly released figures from Nationwide Building Society point to rising gambling activity among its customers, with the top 10% of bettors now wagering an average of £745 each month. The data has prompted fresh warnings about the risks facing a small but vulnerable segment of the population. The building society reported that gambling transactions climbed […]
IAmConfident secures almost £20,000 in National Lottery funding
Nearly £20,000 in funding has been awarded to IAmConfident through the The National Lottery Community Fund. The Poole-based charity, which supports women in developing confidence, resilience and positive mental health, has received £19,996 to grow its services. Established in 2019 by Hayley Stephens, IAmConfident was created after she identified a broader community need while managing […]
Isle of Wight fraudster stole £13,000 for gambling addiction
An Isle of Wight carer has admitted defrauding his three vulnerable uncles of more than £13,000 to support his gambling habit and clear outstanding debts. Jack Nicholson, of South Street, Ryde, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Tuesday, February 24. The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and theft from the […]
ComeOn! unveils World Cup ad campaign featuring Jeremy Piven
The flagship brand of the ComeOn Group has revealed a brand-new television campaign ahead of the 2026 World Cup, representing the company’s largest coordinated multi-market brand push to date. The campaign marks the return of Emmy Award-winning actor Jeremy Piven, following a successful 2025 partnership that secured a nomination for Sweden’s respected 100-wattaren award, which […]
Wales Gambling Helpline to launch in April: how to get support
A new service designed to address gambling-related harm is set to launch in Wales this April. The Wales Gambling Helpline will officially begin operating on April 1, providing advice, emotional support and referrals to treatment for people affected by gambling harm, as well as for families and loved ones impacted by someone else’s gambling. Alongside […]
BBC Pulls Online Story Following Backlash Over Care Home Fraud Case
The BBC has taken down an online article after criticism that it appeared to frame a former care home manager as a victim, despite his conviction for stealing £250,000 from residents to fund a gambling addiction. The piece focused on Ben Howard, who was sentenced in 2024 to three years and four months in prison […]