The media outlet Sekrt Firmy reported that Artem Metelev, the Chairman of the State Duma’s Youth Policy Committee, says lawmakers will debate the bill before the end of 2025.

Metelev said that Russian bookmakers should hand over a “percentage of their income” to help pay for “the prevention of gambling addiction.”

Russian Bookmakers Could Face New Tax Laws

The proposal, if accepted as-is, would place the Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI) in charge of collecting the tax.

Lawmakers want to use the funds raised to pay for anti-gambling advertisement campaigns on popular social media platforms.

It also aims to fund the development of novel gambling treatment methods and training for healthcare professionals.

The new proposal also contains clauses on new, stricter punishments for illegal online casino promoters.

The committee wants to hike maximum fines for promoting gambling from their existing cap of 2,000 rubles ($25) to 7 million rubles ($88,049).

Under the proposals, courts will have the power to identify “systematic violators.” Such repeat offenders will be subject to criminal liability.

Gambling Addiction Worsening, Lawmaker Claims

Metelev claims that about 3 million people in Russia currently suffer from gambling addiction-related conditions.

He added that lawmakers have identified several high-risk groups, including young people, who, the lawmakers say, “lose billions of rubles on online betting sites and illegal casino platforms.”

Metelev explained that addiction often leads to tragic consequences, including death.

The committee also wants the Ministry of Health to develop an improved system for gambling prevention and treatment.

Lawmakers want the ERAI to coordinate anti-addiction work efforts with permit-holding bookmakers.

The ERAI regulates Russia’s five legal casinos in all four of its special gambling zones. It is also the only body in the country with the right to issue operating permits.

The Central Bank and the country’s top anti-money laundering agency, meanwhile, have begun a crackdown on cash and card mules and shell companies.

Illegal online casino operators use these mules and firms (known as “droppers” in Russia) to launder funds. The bank thinks that operators typically target teenagers and people in their early 20s in their search for new mules.

Earlier this month, a high-profile far-right vigilante group claimed to have helped police and other law enforcement agencies shut down an underground Siberian casino that catered to migrants.

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Today, 39 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized sports betting, and nearly one in four adults has a sports betting account. That number jumps to roughly half of all men aged 18 to 49. In 2024, US adults wagered approximately $150 billion on sports.

Sports betting’s rise in popularity has generated substantial tax revenue, but it has also fueled a sharp increase in gambling addiction and problem gambling symptoms. One gambling regulator recently cautioned that the US market is becoming “a highway without speed limits.”

A common misconception is that sports betting is less addictive than casino gambling. That’s often attributed to a perceived element of skill or knowledge. However, research suggests that this is not the case; sports betting can be as addictive, especially with the rise of live betting, where outcomes are often resolved in seconds.

Key Statistics on Problem Gambling

The American Gaming Association reports that 21% of adults placed a sports bet in 2024. It also reports that 85% of sports bettors acknowledge the effectiveness of the responsible gambling tools provided.

Despite these tools, problem gambling is on the rise. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, about 2.5 million US adults meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem. Another five to eight million experience mild to moderate symptoms.

While these numbers are not separated between sports betting and casino gambling, a poll by Siena College Research Institute and St. Bonaventure University’s Jandoli School of Communication reveals troubling behaviors among online sports bettors:

• 52% have “chased” a bet.
• 37% have felt ashamed after losing.
• 20% lost money, which they couldn’t afford.
• 20% have lied about the extent of their sports betting
• 34% know someone with an online sports betting problem
• 23% had had someone express concern about their betting, but only 9% ever sought help with problem gambling.

Treatment providers report a clear demographic trend. Birches Health reports an “ alarming influx of young male bettors across the US seeking assistance for serious gambling problems.” Elliott Rapaport, founder of Birches Health, notes that even people in states without legalized sports betting easily find ways to bet.

Traditionally, that’s been due to illegal offshore platforms. However, recently, event prediction platforms like Kalshi have given access to “sports betting” to many outside legal jurisdiction.

That has led to several state regulators engaging in legal battles with Kalshi. While the platform has been successful so far, a recent questioning by a federal judge in a case against Maryland could pose a threat to Kalshi’s sports event prediction market.

The Cultural Halo Effect and Hidden Risks of Sports Betting

Sports undoubtedly hold a special cultural significance in the US, often seen as a wholesome pastime and bonding activity. This cultural approval extends to sports betting. It creates a halo effect that frames the activity as a less hazardous form of gambling compared to casino games.

Many people don’t consider sports betting as gambling, or at least not as risky. That’s tied to the notion of sports being something culturally ingrained and celebrated. Additionally, many bettors’ perception of their knowledge about the sport or game creates the illusion of control. That’s a belief that the individual’s skills or expertise can influence the outcome of an event.

This perception dangerously downplays the addiction risks linked to sports betting. Casino games, slots in particular, have long been associated with addictive triggers. However, the evolving nature of sports betting is adopting similar elements. The rise of mobile access and in-play (live) betting in particular mirrors the rapid feedback of casino games.

A revealing statistic from the poll by Siena College Research Institute and St. Bonaventure University’s Jandoli School shows that 86% of sports bettors think they can make money from sports betting. That’s an increase from the 80% in 2024. Don Levy, Siena College Research Institute’s director, highlights the mindset of sports bettors (especially young men) that the activity is harmless entertainment (a UK Gambling Commission survey also supports that):

“Bettors, overwhelmingly young men, say online betting is fun, interesting and exciting and 54% of them place bets at least once or twice a week. Nearly 80% benefitted from promotions in which they were awarded money for participation and while most think they can make money gambling, only 30% say in hindsight they’ve won more than lost.”

Parlays and Live Bets: The Most Dangerous Forms of Sports Betting?

Recent research highlights specific bet types driving higher risk behavior.

A study, conducted in collaboration with researchers from the UK and Australia and Kindred Group’s Unibet brand, analyzed anonymized behavioral data from 100,000 UK online gamblers to identify which products most strongly correlate with markers of potential harm.

The study identified six behaviors associated with problem gambling. Then, they used a scale from 0 to 1.0 to measure the connection between the type of gambling and those behaviors. A score of 0 means no correlation. Meanwhile, a score of 1.0 shows that every gambler using that product exhibited those behaviors.

The most at-risk gambling product was slots, with a score of 0.34. That was unsurprising to researchers as slots have a rapid event frequency. Notably, the research found that parlay bets also pose a significant risk. That was especially the case for in-play “combo” parlays, which took the second spot with a score of 0.22.

These parlays, also known as round robins, require users to bet on a large number of mini parlays simultaneously. That increases the chances of getting some return in exchange for a higher wager.

This study focuses on the UK, and its direct applicability to the US market is uncertain. However, research shows that parlays and live bets are among the most popular bet types in the US.

According to Birches Health, 70% of all bets on the NFL and NBA on FanDuel in 2023 were parlays. On a state level, parlays accounted for 32.2% of sports betting handle and 72.5% of gross revenue in September 2024 in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, research from Statista shows that live bets are the most popular type of bet.

Is Sports Betting Less Addictive Than Casino Gambling?

While the Kindred study reveals that slots pose the highest threat, research is increasingly debunking the idea that sports betting is safer.

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, problem gambling rates among sports bettors are at least twice as high as those of other gamblers. That rate is even higher for those placing sports bets online.

The New Jersey Gambling Prevalence Study, conducted by the Rutgers University Center for Gambling Studies, further highlights behavioral differences between sports bettors and other gamblers.

The study found that sports bettors are more likely to exhibit signs of problem gambling. Also, they bet on a greater number of outcomes than others (nine vs. five). The study also revealed “alarming results” regarding mental health problems.

Sports bettors were significantly more likely to use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs. They reported 10 times higher rates of attempting suicide than other gamblers. Other mental health problems include being 10 times more likely to pay for sex or have unprotected sex with strangers than non-sports bettors.

The illusion of control among sports bettors also encourages bettors to chase losses more frequently. Going back to the Sienna College poll, 52% said they’ve chased losses (58% among young males, 18-24).

Meanwhile, research in British Columbia revealed that, on average, gamblers returned more slowly after a loss across most game types. That indicates a lower tendency to chase losses compared to sports bettors.

The post Sports Betting Addiction Surges in the US: The Halo Effect and Hidden Risks appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Strategic Partnerships to Tackle Gambling Risks

On May 22, the EEEP signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Organization for Quality Assurance in Health. The partnership aims to help prevent and treat gambling addiction.

The agreement establishes a framework to raise public awareness, identify risk points, and provide support to individuals at risk. It also includes training of professionals to deliver psychological support and rehabilitation services to those with gambling addiction.

The memorandum has a duration of three years, and a joint Coordinating Committee will oversee its operation.

On May 29, the EEEP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Greek Center for Cinema, Audiovisual Media, and Creation (EKKOMED, also known as Creative Greece).

The goal of the second partnership is to promote and strengthen the Greek digital gaming industry, supporting innovation and the sustainability of the digital ecosystem.

The collaboration emphasizes protecting society and vulnerable social groups from behaviors that could lead to problem gambling. Furthermore, it aims to align game development with national and European regulations, consolidating the Greek industry as a regional hub.

The partners announced that they will prepare an annual operational plan in the coming days. It will include specific actions, timelines, and responsibilities.

Greek Gaming Commission to Establish a Gambling Observatory

The two new partnerships were announced about a month after the Greek regulator unveiled plans to establish a Gambling Observatory, following a feasibility study conducted in collaboration with expert scientists.

The Observatory will utilize technologies such as Big Data Analytics, AI, and Blockchain to monitor gambling trends, support research, and inform public policy.

A core role of the Observatory is to protect vulnerable groups, address gambling addiction, and improve the overall transparency and sustainability of the legal Greek gambling market.

EEEP says that effective management of the collected data will be crucial for ensuring regulatory compliance. It will also promote responsible gambling, conduct market analysis, and prevent fraud.

EPIPSY Study Shows Signs of Concern

EEEP’s actions towards addressing problem gambling come amid recent survey data.

A new study by Greece’s Mental Health Research Institute (EPIPSY) suggested that 36% of first-year high school students in the country had gambled for money in 2024.

The study notes that the number is 13% higher than the average for the 36 European countries examined. Another point of note from the survey is that 7% of Greek teenagers show problem gambling signs.

The study discovered that unhealthy habits are on the rise among the country’s adolescents. Thirteen percent of 16-year-olds say they’ve tried an illegal drug at least once. Meanwhile, 92% say they can access alcohol without problem.

Smoking, particularly e-cigarettes and vapes, is on the rise, with usage climbing from 43% in 2019 to 54% in 2024.

Growing Focus on Youth Gambling Across Europe

The EEEP’s recent initiatives come amid broader European efforts to address increased exposure of adolescents to gambling. 

Earlier this year, the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group launched a project to address rising online gambling and associated risks among young people. It seeks to counter that through policy and increasing awareness. The council warns that online gambling products are addictive, with profound effects on mental health and development.

In Spain, the government is in the process of introducing tighter ID check rules in the country’s regulated online and land-based gambling sectors. The goal is for nobody under 18 to gain access to gambling.

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Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers

David Lucchese, executive vice president of sales, marketing and digital of Everi Holdings, has been named as the president of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers.

The Las Vegas non-profit international trade association, which represents manufacturers and suppliers of electronic gaming devices, lotteries, systems, table games, welcome Lucchese on a two-year term which began on January 12, 2021.

Stating the he is looking “forward to working with the entire AGEM leadership team and our member companies,” Lucchese is focused on ensuring that the voices of AGEM’s worldwide members are heard on important political, regulatory, problem gambling and other matters

“AGEM is very pleased to welcome David Lucchese as our president for the next two years,” said Marcus Prater, executive director of AGEM. “His vast experience and deep understanding of the issues facing gaming suppliers will serve him well as we navigate a difficult path brought on by the pandemic.

“We will forge ahead under his leadership and the overall gaming industry will emerge from this in a better position by working together to promote a spirit of cooperation championed by Dave, the AGEM Officers, and our member companies.”

Kaizen Gaming

Kaizen Gaming has named Claus Jansson as head of affiliate marketing and media buying, with the group focused on a strategic approach for local and international growth.

Jansson’s primary responsibility will be overseeing the firm’s strategic local and international expansion plans for its flagship Betano and Stoiximan brands, and will report directly to company CMO Panos Konstantopoulos.

Κonstantopoulos stated: “We are very pleased to welcome Claus to Kaizen Gaming family and highly confident that he has the full potential to thrive in communicating the company’s great dynamics and values, while developing new, innovative ideas.

“His expertise and extensive experience in our industry offers great value to our company and could be no less than a testament of our growth; we are looking forward to further enhancing our Affiliate Marketing strategic positioning across all markets of operation under his guidance.”

FanDuel 

FanDuel Group has appointed Andrew Sneyd as senior vice president of brand, bringing more than 20 years of global marketing experience, specifically in the Fortune 100 consumer packaged goods and technology sector.

He will take ownership of creative and brand strategy, consumer insight, product marketing, team and league marketing, press relations, integrated campaigning, and creative operations. He will report to FanDuel Group CMO Mike Raffensperger, effective immediately.

“We are amidst a pivotal moment in history where, as a brand, we have the opportunity to make a true impact both for our customers and industry at large,” noted Raffensperger.

“Andrew’s expertise with iconic brands will be invaluable as we continue to drive transformational impact and give sports fans the best experience possible.”

Bragg Gaming Group

Bragg Gaming Group has confirmed the appointment of former Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp chair Paul Godfrey to its board of directors with immediate effect.

According to the firm, Godfrey’s experience in the Canadian gaming industry will prove valuable as the government moves forward with its recently announced proposed federal legalization of single-event sports betting. He will guide Bragg’s strategy in this evolving market.

Adam Arviv, CEO of Bragg, commented: “Paul’s extensive experience in the media, gaming and sports worlds will be invaluable as we move forward with our rapid growth plans. We’re extremely pleased to have him join the championship team that we’re building and look forward to his guidance.”

Sazka Group

Justin King CBE has become the latest British business figurehead to join Sazka Group’s bid to ‘refresh and revitalise’ the National Lottery.

The former Sainsbury’s CEO will sit on the company’s ‘advisory board’ to provide counsel to Sir Keith Mills’ bid team, which is competing to win the government’s fourth National Lottery tender.

King will play a pivotal role in developing Sazka’s business strategy on how a revamped National Lottery can recover from the unprecedented COVID impacts.

Mill explained: “Justin King is one of the UK’s leading experts in the retail sector. He has a track record of turning around businesses, which will only strengthen our efforts to make the British public fall back in love with the National Lottery.

“With Justin on board, we will present a plan that modernises retail channels to ensure that not a single National Lottery player or retailer is left behind.

“Justin’s experience will also be of huge benefit for our transition plans which must be submitted to the Gambling Commission as part of our bid. Over the next few weeks, I look forward to welcoming more experts to our team, who will help us to share our vision for the National Lottery as the fourth licence competition progresses.”

The post Part 52 | On the move: Recruitment round-up appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Rabbit Entertainment

Gaming operator Rabbit Entertainment, recently awarded the Rising Star in Casino gong at this month’s SBC Awards, has appointed Tal Zamstein as chief executive with immediate effect.

Joining from German operator Löwen Play, Zamstein plans to invest in infrastructure, expand in key markets, and continue to focus on “achieving operational excellence in a regulated environment”.

Zamstein said: “I’m delighted to be taking over as CEO of Rabbit Entertainment and look forward to the challenge of helping build on the company’s strategy reshape to release further potential, including capitalising on the certification in Germany and as the winner of best Rising Star in Casino at the prestigious SBC Awards.

“The business is entering a new phase and I have identified a number of actions necessary to further strengthen the company’s position.

“Both Lapalingo and Lord Lucky have universal appeal that will help our business go from strength-to-strength and I look forward to building on that legacy further with a focused multi-brand strategy in our key markets.”

National Council on Problem Gambling

Lia Nower, JD, PhD, Rutgers University professor and director of its Center for Gambling Studies, has joined the board of directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling. She is currently chair of the NCPG Research Committee and has served on several other committees.

Nower has co-authored several policy initiatives, including models for self-exclusion, responsible gambling programs, and problem gambling treatment service integration into state systems. She co-authored the Pathways Model and the Gambling Pathways Questionnaire, which are used internationally in research and treatment and currently heads the team evaluating play-by-play data for internet gambling and sports wagering in the state of New Jersey.

“The National Council on Problem Gambling works closely with our board of directors to advance policies and programs that assist people and families affected by problem gambling,” noted Keith Whyte, executive director of NCPG.

“We are excited that Lia Nower will be joining our board. Her expertise will help NCPG be more effective in an environment where gambling is expanding rapidly throughout the country.”

Nuvei

Payment tech firm Nuvei has announced the addition of of Neil Erlick to the executive leadership team, who will join on January 5, 2021 and will report to Philip Fayer, Nuvei’s chairman and CEO.

Erlick will serve as chief corporate development officer, where he will focus on strategic business development in key industry verticals, corporate partnerships, as well as enhancing the company’s overall growth in the US regulated gaming market.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Neil to Nuvei. As a passionate and talented digital payments industry executive, he brings a tremendous level of depth and knowledge in numerous verticals including igaming, regulated gambling and sports betting,” stated Fayer.

“With over 20 years of experience serving complex markets, we believe that Neil’s expertise will provide incredible value as we continue to strengthen our leadership team.”

BMM Testlabs 

BMM Testlabs, a gaming testing laboratory and product certification consultancy, has confirmed the appointment of Navin Goel as its new chief operations officer.

Goel will join BMM’s executive leadership team from Aristocrat Technologies, where he formally led the firm’s global tech support operations for all casino management and distribution units as the company’s senior vice president of technology.

“Navin is uniquely qualified to evolve and guide our global operations going forward. His industry experience, breadth of knowledge, and proven leadership make him very well-suited to advance BMM’s strategic initiatives,” commented Martin Storm, BMM Testlabs CEO.

“I am pleased to welcome Navin to our growing executive management team, and I know that he will be a great fit in our values-driven culture and leadership team.”

The post Part 51 | On the move: Recruitment round-up appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The revelation comes as cities throughout the nation launch initiatives aimed at eliminating youth gambling.

Per a report from the South Korean news platform OhMyNews, the Korea Institute for Gambling Problem Prevention and Treatment has conducted a nationwide survey on youth gambling.

The institute spoke to 13,368 students at 605 schools nationwide, and 4.3% of interviewees admitted to having gambled at least once.

The survey’s authors also found that 19.1% of the children they spoke to said they were now gambling habitually (for a period of six months or more).

Almost half of these habitual gamblers said they used someone else’s name when placing bets. And a quarter said they had also placed bets using proxy betting services.

These services include live streamers who gamble using virtual currency on online slot machines, placing bets on behalf of their viewers.

The survey’s authors noted that proxy betting rates are particularly high among middle schoolers.

South Korean Gambling Concerns Grow

The institute suggested that youth gambling addiction rates have risen in recent years, with an estimated 8.5% of minors admitted to having gambling addictions in 2019.

In 2022, that rose to 10.2%, with experts adding that this number likely rose above the 15% mark for the first time in 2022.

Government agencies, led by the Ministry of Education, have responded by declaring 12 – 18 May National Youth Gambling Protection Week.

Central and local government organs around the country have marked the week with various events.

These include workshops for children, with experts, former gambling addicts, and parents invited to speak.

They are also holding various musical performance events to raise awareness. Schools, meanwhile, will host lectures from school police officers and academics who specialize in paediatrics.

Younger Citizens Increasingly Drawn to Betting Sites

Yonhap reported that the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency has launched an annual anti-youth gambling drive.

The agency has partnered with Busan Metropolitan City, the city’s Office of Education, and the Korea Gambling Problem Prevention and Treatment Center.

The parties will launch regular campaigns to raise awareness and encourage various social groups to protect young people from gambling addiction.

Elsewhere, North Gyeongsang Province’s Education Department has launched a new training program to help school teachers join the fight against youth gambling addiction.

News1 added that the department has begun training 50 elementary and middle school teachers in the province.

The training sessions will create a province-wide gambling prevention “professionals” network.

Teachers will attend eight weeks of gambling prevention sessions. North Gyeongsang intends to train 50 new “professionals” every year.

Im Jong-sik, the North Gyeongsang Superintendent of Education, said: “Gambling is not just a problem for schools. It has become an issue for society as a whole. We will ensure that students grow up in a safe environment. We will provide continuous preventive education and a network of support systems.”

Earlier this month, the National Police Agency began an intensive crackdown on illegal gambling activities at hold ‘em pubs: venues that offer gambling-like experiences.

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The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) announced its Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF) drive earlier this week. It stated that it will support four educational programs, prioritizing its commitment to tackling gambling-related risks.

The VPF: What It Does and How It’s Funded

First established in 2021, the VPF is partly financed by the supplementary charge placed on gaming operators who offer higher-risk gambling products. These funds are allocated to programs targeting harm prevention and education, particularly centered around protecting vulnerable gamblers.

Its remit includes financing support initiatives that focus on healthcare professionals, students, athletes, and individuals with low literacy levels or intellectual disabilities. Each program is tailored to its desired audience, which the KSA claims will create lasting behavioral changes.

At the forefront of the KSA’s itinerary is the planned expansion of its digital e-learning modules devised by Dutch addiction service Jellinek and training provider GGZ Ecademy. This involves active collaborations with frontline health workers, such as doctors and psychologists, to help identify signs of gambling addiction in patients earlier.

The directive was unveiled at a well-attended webinar, explaining how the new funding will promote the program across the Netherlands’ healthcare networks. By equipping healthcare professionals with the attributes to recognize gambling-related harm earlier, the KSA believes they can prevent the problem from escalating. 

KSA to Use an Assortment of Targeted Programs to Avert Problem Gambling

The action plan will also mean schools will play a larger role in the regulator’s prevention efforts. Entitled “Helder op School” (Clear at School), the KSA program has been developed closely with the Trimbos Institute, which now includes education modules on the dangers associated with gambling.

New materials will be distributed among teaching staff and at parental information meetings to highlight the growing risks children face. The ultimate objective is to educate both students and their guardians simultaneously.

Additionally, the Association of Contract Players (VVCS) will ramp up its integrations with footballers. This directive will see increased funds applied to train recovering addicts to deliver peer-to-peer awareness sessions and distribute flyers about self-exclusion methods and digital tools like Gamban.

Designed to offer opportunities for earlier intervention, the KSA plans also to roll out the VVCS initiative across youth clubs and academies nationwide.

Finally, the KSA will fund a new project to further engage with people with cognitive impairments using its digital platform, Steffie.nl. Scheduled for completion in autumn 2025, its four gambling educational units will provide simplified tutoring on topics including “What is Gambling?” and “Recognising gambling games.”

While regulators such as the Secretary of Prizes and Betting Secretariat (SPA) in Brazil attempt to balance public safety and industry growth, the KSA’s latest initiative signals that they believe education will be the first line of defense.

The post Four New Projects Funded by KSA to Tackle Dutch Problem Gambling appeared first on CasinoBeats.

However, the gambling charity added that it is also “concerned about the transition period” between now and when the levy is implemented, as it wants to make sure services and support are provided to those that need it “without disruption”.

GamCare’s comments come from its published response to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s consultation on the proposed statutory levy on the gambling industry featured in the UK government’s white paper, which was published in April.

The now-closed consultation sought stakeholder’s opinions on the levy’s structure, which aims to raise £100m per year by 2027 for gambling research, education and treatment across England, Scotland and Wales, proposing a one per cent fee on gross gambling yield for online operators, with land-based betting shops and casinos paying around 0.4 per cent.

With approval from the DCMS and Treasury, the UK Gambling Commission will distribute funding to the NHS, which will take the principal role of ‘main commissioner of treatment‘.

However, the government is proposing that research, prevention and treatment will have individual commissioners. 

• UK Research and Innovation will be the research commissioner – 10-20 per cent of funding for the Gambling Research Programme establishment.
• NHS will be the treatment commissioner – 15-30 per cent of funding to help with prevention, early intervention and education.
• Commissioner for prevention is yet to be picked – 40-60 per cent of funding for treatment and support services.

Within its response to the statutory levy proposal, GamCare stated that it was “pleased” with the levy, but added that while multiple commissioners mean “targeted funding”, overlapping between the three areas means there needs to be a “clear direction” to reduce long-term gambling harms.

The charity said in a statement: “We’re pleased that this new system provides the long-term funding security for organisations across Great Britain working hard to reduce gambling-related harms. 

“Having multiple commissioners means targeted funding, but there is a lot of overlap between research, prevention and treatment that can’t be ignored.

“We are recommending that the government implements a National Strategy that unites the three new commissioners with the shared ambition to set a clear direction to reduce gambling harms in the long term.”

A Levy Board (including the Department for Health and Social Care and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) and an informal Advisory Group (experts from the third sector, research community and with a lived experience background) will also provide support on the distribution of levy funds and how they should be spent.

On this aspect, GamCare noted: “We have a long history of embedding and learning from lived experience, as does much of the third sector. When work is co-produced with lived experience it helps to reduce barriers to treatment and makes interventions more effective. 

“Therefore, it is vital that the expertise of people with lived experience of gambling-related harm is central to decision making for the levy – helping to inform and improve service provision in the third sector.”

GamCare also echoed the thoughts of Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew that the transition to the statutory levy must not cause any disruption to the current support services being provided to those who need it most.

The charity added that if executed correctly, the levy can help provide a “generational shift in the gambling harms sector”.

“We are also concerned about the transition period between now and the implementation of the statutory levy. We want to ensure that services are available and working so that people who need support get it at the right time and without disruption.

“Last year, our National Gambling Helpline received 44,049 calls, and 9,009 people attended structured treatment or an Extended Brief Intervention. Each of the individuals contacting us deserve the highest quality and most accessible care during the transition.

“The statutory levy represents a generational shift in the gambling harms sector. If it’s done right, the levy is an opportunity to bring together research, prevention and treatment, helping to prevent gambling harms and providing the best care for people who need it.”

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The commission is part of the New York State’s Responsible Play Partnership with the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports as well as the New York Council on Problem Gambling, the latter of which launched the self-exclusion improvements. 

The voluntary self-exclusion support programme aims to assist individuals who know they have a gambling problem by directing them to resources to exclude themselves from in-state gambling activities.

The new updates will bring more information and services to those individuals who voluntarily self-exclude at licensed gaming facilities in the state.

NYCPG staff will now be available to explain the self-exclusion process in plain language to players, connect them to a problem gambling treatment provider, provide information on counselling, peer support and recovery services, as well as assist with completing voluntary self-exclusion forms including notarization.

“Assisting those in need of help through providing care and concern is at the core of what NYCPG does, and the launch of this new program exemplifies that care and concern by breaking down barriers,” commented James Maney, Executive Director of the NYCPG.

“The new online notary services make it easier for individuals to complete remote VSE, while also connecting to one of our caring staff members who are knowledgeable about the process.”

Once an individual has voluntarily self-excluded, they will not be able to enter a gaming venue in the state, nor will they be able to take part in any gambling activity.

An OASAS 2020 Problem Gambling Prevalence Survey stated that 4.4 per cent of adults in New York are at risk of developing a gambling disorder, while an additional 0.7 per cent meet the criteria for problem gambling or a gambling disorder.

Dr Chinazo Cunningham, Commissioner of OASAS, stated: “OASAS oversees a robust system of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery services for those affected by addiction across the state, including problem gambling.

“Voluntary self-exclusion can be an effective prevention strategy to reduce gambling harms, and this new support program not only provides a way for people to complete the self-exclusion process, but also offers an opportunity to connect to OASAS local problem gambling community support services to assist in mitigating further harm.”

Robert Williams, Executive Director of the New York State Gaming Commission, added: “The Gaming Commission is committed to ensuring that licensed facilities operate in responsible and sensitive matters for those who need help.

“The New York Council on Problem Gambling’s VSE Support Program provides those individuals with the knowledge and resources to make the best decisions for their welfare.”

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This follows Ipsos UK being tasked with exploring the nature of PGSI amid a debate surrounding how best to use the index to identify and measure gambling harms. The charity also noted concern at this having not been developed as a clinical tool.

The overarching finding determined that the PGSI scale can continue to be used to estimate the potential risk of gambling harm, despite it possessing certain limitations.  

“The results of this study increase the knowledge base on the PGSI scale and confirm that it should continue to be used to estimate the potential risk of ‘problem gambling’ among large groups,” commented Steven Ginnis, Research Director at Ipsos UK.

“However, the findings suggest PGSI is unlikely to work as well on its own as a diagnostic instrument for individuals or for screening purposes. 

“We therefore recommend that PGSI users and practitioners also look beyond the broad classification groupings – not all people within a PGSI classification are at the same potential risk of harm from gambling.”

It was discovered that a “strong, consistent link” between higher PGSI scores and higher rates of psychological distress is evident. This led to a finding that it could be used as a tool when considering integrating mental health interventions into treatment plans for those that score highly.

In addition, it was found that certain PGSI questions are more likely to indicate a severe risk of harm than other questions, with Ipsos UK noting that “this raises questions about whether each PGSI item should be weighted equally when using the PGSI as a clinical or screening tool”.

However, it was recommended that the full questionnaire, which includes a set of nine questions, “should be used wherever possible”.

An alternative short-form three question offering “should only be used if there is extremely limited opportunity to interact with people being tested”.

This, it was noted, is due to this having a tendency to fail to identify some cases of problem gambling’, which it is added can understate its prevalence.

Haroon Chowdry, GambleAware Director of Evidence & Insights, explained: “The PGSI scale has long been an important tool for understanding the scale of gambling harms at both individual and population level. 

“We commissioned this independent study because we wanted to take a closer look at the features of this index, how exactly it varies and how well it captures different kinds of harm, which has not been analysed before.

“We are reassured by the findings that the PGSI generally works well as an index and can identify different levels of harm, although there are areas where the scale or how it is used may be able to be improved. 

“We hope treatment services, clinicians and policymakers will take note of the recommendations to ensure they are making the best use of this scale to help those experiencing gambling harms.” 

The study used advanced statistical methods on a dataset of over 21,000 people taken from the 2020 and 2021 waves of the Annual GB Treatment and Support Survey commissioned by GambleAware. 

The PGSI is a standardised measure of the level of gambling problems, ranging from non-problem gambling (a PGSI score of 0), low level of problems (a score of 1-2), moderate level of problems (a score of 3-7), and problem gambling (score of 8+).

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