Latest News
Impulsive Gambling – How the UK & Non GamStop Casinos Deal With It
Online gambling got birthed in 1994 when Antigua and Barbuda decided to pass the Free Trade and Processing Act. However, it took two years before the world’s first online casino (InterCasino) appeared, thanks to internet payment technology developed by its operator CryptoLogic. In the 1990s and the 2000s, Americans could only enjoy online casino entertainment for real money at offshore platforms. That all changed in 2013, when the Nevada Gaming Commission granted 888 Casino a license, making it the first Interactive Gaming Service Provider active in any US jurisdiction. That same year, this brand also made its presence known in New Jersey, the top US online gambling market.
Following the global events that began to unfold in early 2020, many US states are now looking to create new tax revenues to plug budget shortfalls. One of the simplest ways to achieve this is to legalize online gambling. When it comes to sports betting, almost everyone is passing such laws, with many territories also exploring the option to make online casino gaming a reality for their residents. With this occurrence, concerns come about a potential rise in gambling addiction rates in the US. Thus, many are looking to Europe’s most established interactive gaming market to draw lessons on how they can curb problem gambling. What follows below is an in-depth look at how UK’s mandatory self-exclusion scheme named GamStop operates and how foreign, non GamStop Casinos stop their users from developing a compulsion towards online betting or nourishing such a preexisting condition.
UKGC’s Partnership With GamStop
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is Britain’s gaming regulator. It took over this role from the Gaming Board for Great Britain in 2007, as detailed in the Gambling Act of 2005. It monitors all forms of gambling that happen within the UK’s borders, except for spread betting. For years, the UKGC had planned on implementing a mandatory self-exclusion scheme featured at every one of its licensed operators. Intentions for such a system to go live got announced in 2017. Yet, it took three more years before it became active under the title GamStop. It gets operated by a not-for-profit organization that bears the name The National Online Self Exclusion Scheme Limited. Once a UK player activates a GamStop ban, he can no longer visit and play at any UKGC site until his chosen self-exclusion period elapses.
The UKGC has a renowned reputation as the firmest interactive gaming regulator in Europe. It looks after all UK players by supplying unparalleled player protection. It goes so far as to make every UKGC-licensed operator implement measures like spin timers, game limitations, no auto-play, and more, to lower the rates of gambling addiction in Britain. Slots sites not on GamStop offer more liberating gameplay due to them not having to feature any of these measures.
How Non GamStop Casinos Function
The list of casinos not on GamStop is immense because these are platforms with a license from an international regulator and not the UKGC. The UK Gambling Commission only monitors a little over a hundred sites active on the UK market. The other gaming platforms available for Brits are slot and bingo sites not on GamStop, which are of comparable quality but boast foreign licenses. One such famous interactive gaming licensing organization is the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Malta is Europe’s online gambling haven, and every operator that seeks to offer its services to residents of countries with no online gaming legislation attains an MGA license to do so.
The Malta Gaming Authority is a reliable regulator and enforces many of the same measures as the UKGC. However, it is not as diligent as the previously mentioned organization. Nor is it as firm in punishing its operators. That said, many UK players prefer to play on old and new non GamStop casinos found on websites like this because these platforms offer more promotions, games, have higher max bet limits, and feature more liberating gameplay.
GamStop Platforms vs. Non GamStop Casinos
Under the hood, UK-based and non-UK sites have multiple similarities. That is so because they use many identical software solutions. Still, they differ in some areas, mainly due to the UKGC’s concerns regarding impulse control and betting. It wants to keep betting an entertainment-based activity, nothing more. That said, no one platform category is better than the other. They each have their benefits and drawbacks, some of which get listed below.
Pros of UK-Based Sites
- Super vetted operators.
- Universal self-exclusion.
- Slot gameplay is less intense.
- Third-party dispute resolution such as IBAS.
Cons of UK-Based Sites
- Less generous promotions.
- No niche transaction methods on hand.
- Irreversible self-exclusion bans.
Positives of Non GamStop Casinos.
- Vaster game libraries.
- No slot gameplay limitations.
- More payment methods on offer.
- Perk-rich VIP programs.
Negatives of Non UK Casinos
- Dispute resolution per foreign laws.
- Availability to debt accumulation payment methods (credit cards).
- No universal conditions apply to all operators.
What Gambling Addiction Measures Does the US Market Need?
Hopefully, something similar to GamStop would be perfect. However, there is no federal body that can oversee the implementation of such a program. The only two organizations that can start an initiative regarding such a nationwide scheme are the American Gaming Association and the National Council on Problem Gambling (United States). One of these entities could create such a database and offer voluntary participation to all online gambling operators that provide their services from a US jurisdiction.
Sadly, they cannot force gambling sites to implement such a scheme. But, if lobbies and authorities put pressure on the most popular online casino brands in the nation to participate, that could cause a ripple effect. Smaller, less-established gaming companies would not want to risk appearing less reliable to customers by not taking part in such a system, thus leading to it spreading nationwide. Of course, it would take some time for such an idea to come to fruition. There are still ongoing debates on the precise DOJ interpretation of the Interstate Wire Act of 1961. Does it allow US states to pass their legalization regarding online casinos or not?
To Wrap Up
There is no doubt that the US online casino market will soon explode. When it does, operators will have to take appropriate steps to ensure that everyone engages in this pastime responsibly. A GamStop-like program seems like a quality first step. Even non GamStop casinos promote responsible gambling by allowing everyone to set loss/deposit limits and site self-exclude. US online casinos offer that as well, but there is a need for state-wide and nation-wide anti-gambling addiction measures to stop the proliferation of gambling-related harm. The future of the US market is bright, and everyone in it should do their part to ensure that gambling remains fun.
eSports
CAPCOM’S STREET FIGHTERTM 6 GOING TO COLLEGE THIS FALL
- CSMG will create and operate College Street FighterTM Tour in North America for the 2024-25 academic year
- College conference Street Fighter 6 champions will punch their ticket to the national Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) & May Madness in 2025
Gambling in the USA
Clark County residents can bring a friend for free to next week’s Super Bingo $160,000 tournament at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, May 6-8
Home to downtown Las Vegas’ only bingo room, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is offering Clark County, Nevada residents who register to play in next week’s Super Bingo tournament the opportunity to bring a friend for free.
Happening Monday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 8 in the Plaza’s expansive ballroom, Super Bingo is expected to draw nearly 1,000 people from the local Las Vegas valley and across the country and Canada for the opportunity to win big playing fun-filled games of bingo over two days, with a $50,000 super coverall both days while socializing with like-minded bingo players.
Bingo-only registration is $160 per person, and Clark County residents who register can bring a friend for free. Registration is available online at https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/bingo/super-bingo-registration/. Hotel-and-bingo packages start at $300 for a four-night stay with no resort fee.
All Super Bingo players receive one 6-on paper pack for both days, two daubers, free drinks via an open bar at all sessions, boxed lunch both days, and $10 in free slot play after the first day’s session.
The Plaza’s Bingo room offers six daily bingo sessions at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. and is located on the 3rd floor. By parking on the third floor of the Plaza’s self-parking garage, guests have convenient and direct access to the Plaza’s bingo room and parking is validated for bingo players.
Gambling in the USA
Kambi Group plc extends Mohegan partnership with on-property sports betting agreement in Pennsylvania
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”), the world’s trusted sports betting partner, has agreed a long-term on-property sportsbook partnership with Mohegan to provide its award-winning sportsbook at two retail locations in the state of Pennsylvania.
The partnership will see Mohegan utilise Kambi’s cutting-edge retail sportsbook offering across more than 20 kiosks in sportsbook locations at Mohegan Pennsylvania and Mohegan Pennsylvania at Lehigh Valley Race and Sportsbook.
The deal further strengthens Kambi’s relationship with Mohegan, which already utilises Kambi’s suite of sports betting products at ilani in Washington, as well as online and on-property in the Canadian province of Ontario at Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara.
Kristian Nylén, Kambi CEO and Co-founder, said: “With several successful partnerships with Mohegan already in place, we are pleased to agree this new partnership as we continue to build on our strong relationship.
“This latest deal further reinforces Kambi’s position as the sportsbook provider of choice for tribes across North America, and we look forward to our ongoing collaboration with Mohegan.”
Tony Carlucci, President & GM of Mohegan Pennsylvania, said: “Mohegan Pennsylvania is excited to continue utilising the same Kambi technology platform that existed under our Kindred partnership, which will help to create a seamless process as the Sportsbook at Mohegan Pennsylvania fully rebrands later this Spring.”
-
Interviews4 days ago
Women in iGaming Interview: White Hat Studios’ Holly Fairweather
-
Latest News4 days ago
White Hat Gaming strengthens executive team with Justin Psaila announced as new Chief Financial Officer
-
Gambling in the USA2 days ago
Kambi Group plc extends Mohegan partnership with on-property sports betting agreement in Pennsylvania
-
Compliance Updates2 days ago
OpenBet bolsters compliance technologies with the launch of geolocation product, OpenBet Locator™, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS)
-
Compliance Updates5 days ago
Reputation matters – the importance of supplier licensing
-
Compliance Updates4 days ago
North Carolina Lawmaker to Introduce Bill to End College Player Prop Bets
-
Latin America4 days ago
Sportingtech Places New Local Talent Front and Center at BiS SiGMA Americas
-
Latest News4 days ago
Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies Unanimously Selected by City of Petersburg to Codevelop $1.4 Billion Transformative Mixed-use Development in Petersburg, Virginia