Author: David Randall

Recent research highlights a concerning “grey area” between traditional gambling and gaming with gambling characteristics, particularly affecting children and young people. The study focused on three specific demographics: children under 11, those impacted by another’s gambling habits, and those deemed vulnerable. Published on April 19, the report compiled data from interviews with children from each group, revealing a widespread exposure to gambling advertisements across online platforms. Particularly, vulnerable children reported higher instances of encountering such ads. The report stated, “The sensory nature of bright, loud and eye-catching gambling adverts and the language drew children in and misled them. Especially those…

888 Holdings recently provided a trading update, announcing a 2% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the last quarter of 2023. The company highlighted that this growth was driven by positive performances in several of its operational markets. The total revenue for the quarter was just above the forecasted range of £420 million to £430 million. In the UK and Ireland, although the overall online revenue saw a slight 1% drop quarter-over-quarter, this was mitigated by a 4% increase in gaming revenue, spurred by heightened customer activity during the Cheltenham Festival. 888 anticipates this region to…

The Danish Gambling Authority has recently criticized Mr Green for its inadequate risk assessment procedures. The authority has labeled the online gambling operator’s risk assessment as “insufficient” and has set a deadline for Mr Green to submit a revised version by June 10. Spillemyndigheden, the Danish regulator, pointed out significant shortcomings in Mr Green’s current approach, particularly noting the lack of “adequate procedures for internal controls.” The regulator emphasized that the existing procedures do not adequately define how often these internal controls should be performed, highlighting a major area of concern that needs immediate attention. In addition to improving its…

GambleAware recently shared new insights marking the first anniversary of the National Gambling Support Network, a coalition of services commissioned by GambleAware to provide support for gambling-related issues. Over the past year, individuals reaching out for treatment were contacted by member organizations within an average of 1.3 days, highlighting the responsiveness of the network which consists of 11 organizations. Significantly, the National Gambling Helpline, managed by GamCare for over 25 years, experienced a record number of contacts in January 2024, with 4,816 calls and online chats—the highest since its inception and marking the sixth record-breaking month since the start of…

Michael Gerrow is poised to take over as the new Group CFO of Catena on April 15, 2024, stepping in for the interim CFO, Erik Edeen. This significant change in leadership occurs shortly after the departure of Catena’s CEO, Michael Daly, and the nomination of Erick Flinck for the chairman position. Gerrow’s rise to CFO marks a strategic move for Catena, aiming to steer the company towards recovery after a challenging 2023. Joining Catena’s Malta operations in 2020 and currently serving as the Vice-President of Finance from Miami, Gerrow brings extensive financial expertise and a deep understanding of the company’s…

Michael Gerrow is set to take over as Catena’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from interim CFO Erik Edeen on April 15, 2024. This significant change in leadership follows closely on the heels of Michael Daly stepping down as Catena’s CEO and Erick Flinck being nominated as the new chairman. Gerrow, who originally joined the Malta-based team of Catena in 2020, is currently serving as the vice-president of finance from Miami. With his upcoming role, Gerrow will become a key figure within the group’s executive management team. His promotion occurs amid a challenging backdrop for Catena, characterized by a significant revenue…

In January, an initiative to legalize sports betting in California was abandoned after encountering strong resistance from tribal communities, despite previous adjustments aimed at garnering their support. The proposal, spearheaded by Eagle1 Acquisitions Corp, sought to give tribes exclusive rights to sports betting but faced opposition, leading to its failure. The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) highlighted this event as a cautionary tale against future legalization efforts without tribal involvement, emphasizing the importance of respecting tribal sovereignty in these matters. Optimism remains for a successful legalization effort in the future, with anticipation building towards the 2027 Super Bowl in…

Sports enthusiasts in Kansas are now eligible to engage in sports betting through the newly available Fanatics Sportsbook app. This development is notable for existing PointsBet users, as their account details, including usernames, passwords, account balances, rewards, and any preferences for responsible gaming, will be seamlessly transferred to the Fanatics platform. This strategic move signifies Fanatics’ expansion into its 17th state in the United States, marking a significant milestone following its recent entry into North Carolina’s legal sports betting scene. Fanatics has been on a rapid growth trajectory, evidenced by its expansion into New York, replacing PointsBet, and similar transitions…

In a rapid series of events that unfolded within three weeks, a package of bills aimed at legalizing sports betting passed through the Senate but stalled before reaching the full House for consideration. Despite the House Higher Education Committee’s approval of two key legal sports betting bills—a constitutional amendment and enabling legislation—early on a Thursday, the Rules Committee, despite meeting multiple times that day, did not move the bills forward. This marked the fourth consecutive session where Georgia lawmakers failed to agree on legal sports betting, with the issue becoming a point of contention yet again. The failure to reach…

The gaming and betting company 888 Holdings has recently unveiled a comprehensive restructuring plan following a strategic review that began in early March. This review aimed to explore various options to enhance shareholder value, including a partial or complete sale of its US B2C (Business to Consumer) operations. The company announced a sale agreement with Hard Rock Digital, though specifics about the assets and financial terms remain undisclosed. 888 expects this deal to conclude in stages, with completion anticipated by the fourth quarter of this year, pending necessary regulatory approvals. 888’s strategic evaluation revealed that its gross profit margin in…