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Category Archives: Online Gambling

Can RTP be altered by online casinos? – The Sports Bank

Posted: October 8, 2022 at 3:34 pm

You probably know what RTP is if youre a lover of online slots. RTP stands for return to player and is the percentage of money that a slot machine will pay back over time. So, for example, a slot mahjong machine with an RTP of 96% will pay out $96 for every $100 that is wagered. So, what does this have to do with online casinos?

Well, some people believe that online casinos can alter the RTP of their slot machines. While this is technically possible, its very unlikely that any casino would do this. Altering the RTP would require changing the code of the slot machine, which is not something that can be done easily or undetectably. Furthermore, most online casinos are regulated by gambling commissions, which would not allow this kind of thing to happen.

Here are some reasons why you shouldnt worry about online casinos altering the RTP of their slot machines:

If online casinos were altering the RTP of their slot machines, it would eventually catch up to them. Players would figure out they were being cheated and stop playing at that casino. This would obviously be bad for business, so its not something that any reputable online casino would do.

As we mentioned before, online casinos are regulated by gambling commissions. These commissions have strict rules about what casinos can and cannot do. Altering the RTP of a slot machine would be breaking the law, so its not something that any casino would risk doing.

Even if an online casino could get away with altering the RTP of its slot machines, it would eventually backfire. Word would spread that the casino was cheating its players, and people would stop playing there. In the long run, it would be much more profitable for casinos to keep their RTPs fair and honest.

Online casinos are already making a lot of money. They dont need to cheat their players by altering the RTP of their slot machines. Were talking about a business that generates billions of dollars annually. Cheating players out of a few percentage points will not make much of a difference to their bottom line.

You have nothing to worry about

Dont listen to those online rumors about casinos altering the RTP of their slot machines. Its simply not something that reputable casinos would do. If youre worried about getting cheated, stick to playing at reputable casinos that gambling commissions license. These casinos have to follow strict rules and regulations to ensure youre getting a fair game.

There are so many review sites and YouTube channels dedicated to online slots. Do some research and only play at casinos that have a good reputation. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of casinos to choose from, so theres no need to take any chances.

The best advice is to have fun and not worry about getting cheated. Youll be fine if youre playing at a reputable casino. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the spinning reels!

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Can RTP be altered by online casinos? - The Sports Bank

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Feds, Seminoles Advance Fiction That Compact Never Authorized Online Sports Betting In Florida – Forbes

Posted: September 29, 2022 at 1:26 am

(Photo by PAUL ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

What is it with sports betting lawsuits and the word authorize?

Nearly 8 years ago, the State of New Jersey in a last-ditch attempt to legalize sports betting after an earlier legislative effort was struck down by a federal court crafted the novel legal argument that a new state statute partially repealing state-law prohibitions against sports betting was not a forbidden authorization of sports betting for purposes of federal law. (The then-existing federal law known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act or PASPA for short prohibited states from authorizing sports betting within their borders).

While that argument failed to sway a New Jersey federal district court judge and a federal appeals court, it did get the attention of the U.S. Supreme Court, which granted certiorari on that discrete issue and soon thereafter invalidated PASPA on broader constitutional grounds.

That groundbreaking decision opened the door to state-authorized sports betting, and today more than 35 states (plus the District of Columbia) have taken advantage of that opportunity.

Now fast forward to the present day, and a similar argument is being made by proponents of legal sports betting in Florida.

The Seminole Tribe TRIBE2 of Florida and the United States Department of the Interior are appealing a federal court decision from late last year which invalidated the Tribes new Class III gaming compact with the State of Florida. That compact which became effective in August 2021 granted the Tribe the exclusive right to operate online sports betting throughout Florida and decreed that all online wagers would be deemed to occur exclusively on tribal lands where the computer server processing the bet is located, regardless of the bettors physical location.

In a November 2021 ruling that this author had correctly predicted months earlier, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich held that the compacts online sports betting element violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) because it authorized betting by patrons who are physically located in the State [of Florida], but not on [the Tribes] Indian lands in derogation of IGRAs requirement that all gaming activities take place on Indian lands, and nowhere else.

Although the compact deemed that all sports wagers including those initiated over the internet would occur exclusively on tribal lands where the server processing the bet is located, Judge Friedrich characterized that construct as a fiction designed to evade IGRAs requirement that all gaming activity authorized by a compact take place on Indian lands.

As Judge Friedrich explained in her November 22nd decision, [w]hen a federal statute authorizes an activity only at specific locations, parties may not evade that limitation by deeming their activity to occur where it, as a factual matter, does not. Since the compact allows patrons to wager throughout Florida including at locations that are not Indian lands Judge Friedrich concluded that the compact authorizes gaming off Indian lands in violation of IGRA, meaning that the Secretary of the Interior had an affirmative duty to reject the compact.

The hybrid authorization theory is contradicted by the record

Now, nearly one year later, the Seminole Tribe and the Department of the Interior are taking a page right out of the New Jersey playbook. In appellate briefs recently filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, both entities now claim that the compact did not authorize online sports betting at all. Rather, they insist that the compact authorized only in-person betting on tribal lands and that the online sports betting component was authorized solely by Florida law. As described by the federal government and backed by the Seminole Tribe the sports betting provisions of the compact reflect a permissible hybrid approach, wherein gaming activity that occurs off of the Tribes Indian lands is authorized under state law, and gaming activity that occurs on Indian lands is authorized by IGRA pursuant to the Compact.

The motivation behind this argument is obvious. If the compact a creature of federal law did not authorize online sports betting, then there would presumably be no IGRA violation and therefore no basis for striking the compact. (After all, Judge Friedrichs invalidation of the compact was based on her determination that the online sports betting provisions exceeded the permissible jurisdictional boundaries of IGRA because it authorized gaming activities off of Indian lands). And if state law alone authorized online sports betting, then any challenge to its legality would have to be decided by a Florida state court judge rather than the Department of the Interior or a federal court, which review the compact for compliance with federal law.

Theres just one problem with that argument. The so-called hybrid approach that the Tribe and the Department of the Interior are now championing i.e., that the compact only authorized in-person betting on tribal lands while state law authorized all online wagers placed by persons outside of tribal lands is contradicted by the plain language of the compact, the Florida statute ratifying the compact, and the prior statements of the compacting parties.

Online sports betting was authorized by the federally approved compact

A review of the pertinent compact provisions makes clear that online sports betting is expressly authorized by the compact. Section III.F of the Compact lists Sports Betting as a Covered Game and subsequently defines it in Section III.CC it to include any such wagering undertaken by a Patron physically located in the State but not on Indian Lands using an electronic device connected via the internet, web application or otherwise . . . . (Compact, at pp. 4 & 15). Part IV of the Compact, revealingly titled Authorization and Location of Covered Games, in turn declares that the Tribe is authorized to operate Covered Games on its Indian lands, (id. at p. 20), and in the very first clause, provides that sports wagers made by players physically located within the State . . . shall be deemed to take place . . . on Indian Lands at the location of the servers or other devices used to conduct such wagering activity. (Id. at p. 20).

As explained by Judge Friedrich, the inclusion of the deemed language in the Authorization section of the compact make[s] clear that sports wagering by patrons physically located outside of Indian lands is authorized by the compact. By simultaneously authorizing sports betting on Indian lands and deeming gaming across Florida to occur on those same lands, Section IV(A) purports to authorize sports betting throughout the State, Judge Freidrich concluded. Even [t]he title of [Part] IV, Authorization and Location of Covered Games, Judge Friedrich added, suggests that the location of gaming is relevant to its authorization.

Once upon a time before there was ever any hint of litigation the compacting parties also interpreted the compact as having authorized online sports betting. When the new compact was signed in April 2021, the Seminole Tribe issued a press release proclaiming that the compact authorizes the Tribe to accept sports wagers in person and from patrons physically located in the State via mobile devices. On that same day, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued his own press release declaring that [m]ost notably, the compact modernizes the gaming industry through the authorization of sports betting in Florida through the Tribe. The State of Florida one of the two signatories to the compact also expressly acknowledged the compacts authorization of online sports betting in its amicus curiae brief filed with the district court in October 2021 at a point in time before the Department of the Interior and the Seminole Tribe had cooked up their new hybrid approach/jurisdiction-shifting argument. In revealingly plain language, the State declared that [t]he Compact authorizes the Tribe to conduct intrastate online gambling within Florida, adding that [t]he Compact expands and modernizes casino gaming in Florida, including by authorizing as have many other states intrastate internet sports betting.

Even the federal government through the Department of the Interior took a decidedly different view of the compact before there was ever any litigation. In his August 6, 2021 letter announcing the approval of the compact, the DOIs Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland, stated that the compact authorizes the Tribe to conduct Class III gaming on its lands and expands the allowable scope of gaming to include mobile sports betting, amongst other games. (Letter, at p. 2). He acknowledged that both the Compact and the State law authorize the Tribe to engage in mobile sports betting and provide that the gaming takes place on Indian lands where: (1) the Tribe owns and operates the gaming; (2) the server is located on Indian lands; and (3) the player is located within the geographic bounds of the State. (Id., at p. 7).

The Department of the Interiors prior view of the compact deviated so wildly from its current litigation posture that the agencys litigation counsel who was admonished by Judge Friedrich for her inexplicable refusal to address the merits of the compact during the November 2021 oral argument took the highly unusual step of requesting that the Court not even consider Mr. Newlands letter in making her ruling.

But its too late to put the genie back in the bottle. The compacts text as acknowledged by the pre-suit statements of the Tribe, the State, and the DOI makes plain that the compact authorizes sports betting both on and off Indian lands. Any argument to the contrary would be, as Judge Friedrich pointedly observed, incompatible with the Compacts text.

State law did not independently authorize online sports betting

Likewise, the appellants newly-minted assertion that state law rather than the compact authorized online sports betting is contradicted by the plain language of the Florida statute ratifying the compact. That statute Section 285.710, Florida Statutes [entitled Compact authorization] clearly and unambiguously states that online sports betting is authorized to be conducted by the Tribe pursuant to the compact. (See Ch. 2021-268, 2 [adding Section 285.710(13)(b)(7) to specify that . . . the following class III games are hereby authorized to be conducted by the Tribe pursuant to the compact . . . Sports betting, . . . including wagers made by players physically located within the state using a mobile or other electronic device . . . .]).

Section 285.710 is the only Florida Statute that purports to authorize online sports betting. It makes crystal clear that the state law authorization is completely tethered to the compact. Contrary to the assertion made by the Seminole Tribe and the Department of the Interior, there is simply no independent state law authorization of online sports betting. As Section 285.710(13)(b) makes abundantly clear, the States authorization of online sports betting is strictly and solely pursuant to the compact.

By the States own admission, the tethering of online sports betting to a federal tribal compact was designed to avoid a conflict with Florida Amendment 3, a voter-approved constitutional amendment which prohibits the authorization of casino gambling other than through a citizen-initiated ballot question. Crucially, Amendment 3 which is codified in Article X, Section 30 of the Florida Constitution exempts tribal compacts pursuant to the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act for the conduct of casino gambling on tribal lands. This exemption was the impetus behind the States decision to authorize online sports betting pursuant to a compact governed by federal law since the State believed that any authorization of online sports betting other than pursuant to a compact governed by IGRA would have violated Amendment 3.

The States belief that it was traveling under federal law is confirmed by several state-authored documents, including a Summary of the 2021 Compact prepared by Governor DeSantis Office in advance of last years special legislative session. On page 3, under the heading Key Points, the Governors Office asserts that [b]ecause of Amendment 3, commercial sports betting outside of a tribal compact is unconstitutional in Florida. In addition, a fact sheet authored by Florida Senate leaders in May 2021 also addressed the state constitutional question and asserted that the online sports wagering component of the compact will be governed by federal law. (See Frequently Asked Questions, SB 2-A Implementation of the 2021 Gaming Compact, at p. 7 [stating that with respect to online sports betting, the parties have agreed that the entire gaming transaction will be governed by IGRA as taking place on Indian lands.). This is an express acknowledgement by the State of Floridas executive and legislative branches that online sports betting was authorized pursuant to the compact, and not solely under state law.

The assertion that state law alone authorized online sports betting is yet another fiction advanced by the Seminole Tribe and the Department of the Interior in a desperate attempt to save a federally flawed compact. It is a misdirection designed to recast West Flaglers IGRA lawsuit as a state law challenge under Amendment 3 to prop up the argument that the proper forum for such a challenge is state court, not federal court. Indeed, the Department of the Interiors Opening Brief posits that this open question of state constitutional law cannot be definitively resolved by the federal courts. But, contrary to that assertion, the federal courts do not need to resolve any questions of Florida constitutional law to find that the compact violates federal law through its authorization of off-reservation gaming in violation of IGRAs Indian lands requirement.

While the avoidance of Amendment 3 may explain the States and Tribes motivation for using the federal compacting process as the vehicle for legalizing online sports betting in Florida, it does not transform that federal process into a uniquely state-law vehicle when the plain language of both the compact and the state statute ratifying the compact make crystal clear that online sports betting is authorized pursuant to the compact, and not solely under state law.

Look for West Flagler to hammer this point when it files its answer brief on October 6th.

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Germany: Online gambling who is among the best virtual casinos on the net? – UrbanMatter

Posted: at 1:26 am

The virtual gambling market is booming in Germany. At the latest since the nationwide legalisation, which was determined by law in July 2021, the industry is buoyant. Innumerable online casinos are romping around on the local market. The number of providers increases at regular intervals. With such a high density of offers, it can be difficult to find the best casinos on the net. This article provides a remedy. We show the top providers on the German online gambling market.

Online casinos on the German market

Virtual games of chance had a hard time in Germany for a long time. The legislation provided for a ban on any online games that enabled real-money winnings. Although there were numerous amendments and reform approaches, this did not change the restrictive attitude towards digital games of chance.

Since 01 July 2021, however, a different wind has been blowing on the German gambling market. On this day, the new State Treaty on Gaming (GlStV) came into force, legalising the online segment of the industry nationwide. The legal liberalisation gave the already emerging online gambling in Germany the final push to trigger a nationwide hype. Today, there are tens of different online casinos on the local market. According to online-casinos.com only a few selected platforms are among the top providers.

Online gambling the best providers in Germany!

Casinonic

Casinonic presents itself as a modern and global online casino that welcomes the worldwide player community. The provider comes up with a total of 20 different languages. Accordingly, the virtual casino is also aimed at the German gambler community.

The simple and intuitive operation of the interface makes it easy for newcomers to the industry in particular to get started. But casual players and veterans should also like the layout.

Casinonic offers fair conditions and varied gaming fun. This is ensured by the large selection of games. Particularly noteworthy is the lavish live offer. The welcome bonus, which offers new customers enormous financial added value up to 1,200 euros is also not to be sneezed at. This is a so-called deposit bonus. This bonus applies to the first five deposits.

The provider is also convincing when it comes to payment methods. The player community can choose between VISA, Mastercard, Neosurf, Skrill, Neteller, paysafecard and ecoPayz. Transactions are also possible via Bitcoin.

ZetCasino

ZetCasino has intensified its commitment to the German gambling market in recent years. Even though this is no easy undertaking in view of the overwhelming competition in the industry, the work and effort seems to be worth it. The online casino has meanwhile earned an excellent reputation and has been able to gradually expand its customer base.

The player community has the unique choice of more than 2,000 slots, table games and live games. Besides an attractive VIP programme with exclusive features, ZetCasino also convinces with great cashback promotions, tournaments and various bonuses.

Overview of the most important information:

Kosmonaut

Cosmonaut may seem somewhat unorthodox at first glance, but the online casino has managed to build up a loyal player community with its idiosyncratic style. The provider takes its customers on an intergalactic mission and is aimed primarily at fans of science fiction.

The online casino was founded in 2020 and impresses from the very first minute with its remarkable graphic design, which has been noticeably optimised for the mobile application. So if you want to play a leisurely round of games, especially on your smartphone or tablet, Kosmonaut is the right place for you.

An appealing welcome package, which grants a total of 500 euros in free credit and is spread over the first three deposits, sweetens the gaming fun for new customers. Kosmonaut also thinks of its most loyal customers. They receive an invitation to the VIP programme, which offers exclusive bonuses and comes in a level design. VIP players can climb a total of nine levels to unlock rewards in the form of weekly cashbacks.

Kosmonaut not only offers a large selection of casino games (1,800), but is constantly expanding its repertoire. Players thus have the opportunity to always play the latest games in the online gaming industry.

Overview of other top providers:

What factors make the best online casinos?

The top addresses on the German online gambling market have very specific quality features that cover important areas. This enables them to stand out from the competition and move in elite circles.

Online reviews as a measure of quality?

On many industry portals and on the websites of the online casinos themselves, there are usually many testimonials from current or former customers. These make it possible to get a picture of the respective provider and to pick out the top providers.

However, such customer reviews are not necessarily a suitable measure of quality and should sometimes be taken with a grain of salt. Since many different opinions clash and these are all of a subjective nature, not every comment or view should be taken at face value. Nevertheless, such reviews are well suited for creating a first impression about an online casino.

Image source: stux / Pixabay

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Everything You Should Know About Online Games of Luck – Intelligent Living

Posted: at 1:26 am

People from all backgrounds enjoy the thrill of online games of luck, which have become increasingly popular in recent years. Whether its the spin of a roulette wheel or the turn of a card, theres something about the suspense of gambling that keeps us coming back for more. If youre new to the world of online gambling, then this guide is for you. This post will take you through everything you need to know, from the basics of how to play to the different types of games you can try your hand at.

A game of luck can be considered anything where a fortune is involved. There are lots to choose from, ranging from unskilled to skilled. In most cases, when discussing these types of games, the topic of gambling comes up. However, the enormous range of options available can be anything from sports betting to poker games. When covering a topic like betting on sports, you can opt for almost any sport you enjoy, and there are many football, horse racing, and evenbasketball gambling sitesto choose from. What is it about games of fortune that makes them so thrilling, and why do people play them so much?

The enjoyment of games of luck is a complex phenomenon. There are many possible explanations, but the most common one has to do with the fact that games of luck have an element of unpredictability and chance. This means that there is always a possibility that you are going to win and not lose. You can also find the answer to this question by looking at what is happening in the brain. The brain releases dopamine when people have a feeling of anticipation, and it releases dopamine when they get what they want. This tends to create a feedback loop whereby the more you win, the more you want to play.

Part of the reason for this being such an enormous industry is due to the fact that there are aplethora of gamesto play and styles to learn. Moreover, almost anything that involves an element of luck can be bet on, making the choices virtually limitless.

The first thing that comes to mind when considering games of chance is casino games. Nowadays, there are numerous options to choose from, ranging from the glitz and glamor of Vegas and Atlantic City to online and in the comfort of your own home. Nevertheless, no matter what game you decide to play, some casino games remain stalwarts of the industry.

Poker is a very popular card game worldwide, and there is a good reason for that. It is extremely fun, there are many variations, and most importantly, it is highly strategic. The different versions include:

Texas Hold Em (by far the most well-known)

Five-card draw

Omaha

Seven-card stud

Five-card stud

You typically have to buy into a game, but before you do, learning some of the primary skills that can ultimately improve your chances of success is worthwhile. One such skill islearning how to bluff. Bluffing is one of the most critical skills in poker, but its also one of the hardest to master. It is a poker term that means making a bet or raising with a weak hand to make your opponents think you have a strong hand. It can also be defined as the act of pretending that one has cards that they do not have in order to deceive their opponents into folding.

This is a fan favorite for a few reasons. Firstly, it is easy for anyone to learn. All you need to do is to reach a hand value of 21 before the dealer does. Blackjack can be played in several ways, including:

Standing

Hitting

Doubling down

Splitting

Surrendering

Although this game leans heavily into luck territory, some strategy is involved, not least of which is understanding when the odds are tipped against you.

Among all the games listed here, roulette is among the most glamorous. It is typically considered a game for the wealthy but is more accessible than most people think. Moreover, there are two variants:

European

American

The European version is often considered the most desirable because it provides the player with slightly better odds. This is due to the fact that when the game was brought to America several centuries ago, the gaming houses in New Orleans werent overly pleased that so many players were beating the house. As a result, they altered the game slightly by adding an extra set of zeros to the wheel!

Aside from poker, slots are a quintessential gambling game thanks to their accessibility and the instant gratification they can provide. Nevertheless, they have moved on from the old one-arm bandits of the past and now include a vast array of options and themes. Furthermore, free spins are often included in the lineup of bonuses that casinos offer when enticing new and existing players.

Betting on the outcome of a sports game is almost as old as civilization itself! The idea is that a group of people bet against each other that a specific team will win. However, it has become more sophisticated over the years, and players can bet on many outcomes depending on the game. For instance, in football, it could be the first goal scored, the odds of a player scoring a specific amount, or anything in between.

Along with the chance of winning, players also have a chance to lose. In most cases, this isnt an issue because the enjoyment of the game is most important. Therefore, anyone playing these games must take certain precautions to reduce the chances of losing too much. Some precautions to take include:

Never mix alcohol and gaming

Set a limit on your wins and loses

Understand the games you play

Set a time limit on how long you will play for

The allure of winning has enticed people to play games of luck for millennia. Nowadays, players are treated to a wide range of games to enjoy and hopefully win some money. It is possible to come away satisfied and happy as long as you know what you are doing and set limits on your hobby.

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Gambling Industry Trying to Get Proactive with Responsible-Play Efforts – Covers

Posted: at 1:26 am

The recent comments from industry officials come as more than half of U.S. states have now legalized some form of sports betting and as internet-based casino gambling has taken root in several jurisdictions, making wagering more accessible overall.

The gambling industry is eyeing technology-driven opportunities to be proactive with its responsible-gaming obligations, with those efforts coming as addiction concerns have arisen amid the expansion of online sports betting and other forms of authorized wagering.

Those RG-related thoughts were aired Tuesday during an American Gaming Association webinar that probed what can be a sensitive subject for the still-growing sector. Industry representatives talked about collaborating more transparently, funding and sharing research, collecting and studying data, and reaching out to regulators.

On the last point, the nascent nature of legal sports betting in the United States could offer an opportunity for operators to provide feedback on the front end of the regulatory process, rather than after the fact.

As an industry, we're constantly under some type of scrutiny, whether it's the media or policymakers, said Charmaine Hogan, head of regulatory affairs at gambling-technology company Playtech. And we've seen what's happened in European markets when restrictions ensued. So we should be out there as an industry collaborating more with trade bodies, with regulators, proactively, not because rules are forcing us to do so.

The competitive environment of the legal sports betting and online gambling industries can often pit operators against each other to acquire customers, but theres no need to finger point when it comes to responsible gambling, said Christine Thurmond, senior director of responsible gaming at DraftKings.

I do think it's really important that operators fund research and that we really get behind the evidence-based information so that we can make wise decisions, Thurmond said. And sometimes it takes a little longer than other things to get done, but I do see that spirit there."

The comments from the industry come as more than half of U.S. states have now legalized some form of sports betting and as internet-based casino gambling has taken root in several jurisdictions, making wagering more accessible overall.

That growth has been good for the revenue of operators, but it has also stoked concern about increased gambling addiction. Bookmakers in newly-opened jurisdictions often go on promotional blitzes, throwing free bets and other offers at customers, which could run the risk of responsible-gambling efforts getting short shrift.

In addition, more mature gambling markets have been re-examining their approach to gambling, particularly in the United Kingdom. There, a pushback to a boom in internet-based betting is underway, although harsher, government-enforced reforms have yet to materialize.

In the meantime, there are efforts underfoot in the U.S. to make it easier and more intuitive for problem gamblers to get help no matter where they live.

For instance, a group of major online sportsbook operators (including DraftKings) recently published industry-led standards for responsible gambling. Those standards included providing customers with responsible-gaming tools such as the ability to self-exclude themselves from playing at all.

I think it's so important that we normalize the dialogue, Thurmond said on Tuesday. For so long, it was kind of them-against-us type of dialogue. One of the things that I'm so proud of is that the responsible-gaming people, if you will, across the industry talk to each other.

Also discussed during Tuesdays panel was that technology can allow operators to provide players with information about responsible-gambling tools and with resources they can use if they need help. Tech also offers other opportunities to be proactive with players who may not realize they have an issue, such as by using artificial intelligence to analyze betting and deposit patterns to determine if someone is at risk.

Another example of proactivity is a six-year licensing agreement announced earlier this year between the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey Inc. The deal will allow for the use of the latters 1-800-GAMBLER federally registered service mark in all U.S. states outside of New Jersey, providing an easy-to-remember number for problem gamblers to call.

We all want players who are struggling to get the help that they need, said Jaime Costello, director of programs at the NCPG, during Tuesdays webinar. At the end of the day, it might look different for all of us who might be coming at it with different-colored glasses on. But, at the end of the day, that's what we all want. And so I think we're getting there.

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Is Online Gambling Safe In Brazil? Hometown Station – KHTS Radio

Posted: at 1:26 am

There are many activities that people can engage in online, from shopping to social networking. However, one activity that is often of concern is gambling. Gambling can be a risky endeavor, and there have been stories of people getting into debt or even becoming addicted. So, the question becomes, is online gambling safe? The answer may depend on where you are gambling. In Brasil, for instance, online gambling is perfectly legal and regulated by the government. There are plenty of safe and reputable sites to choose from, and Brazilian players can rest assured that their money is safe. So, if youre looking to gamble online, bet365 analise is a great place to start.

Which gambling sites are safe for Brazilian players?

Brazilian players have a wide range of gambling sites to choose from. However, not all of these sites are equally safe. Some sites may be poorly designed and vulnerable to hacking, while others may be operated by scammers. To ensure that your gambling experience is safe and secure, it is important to choose a reputable site.Fortunately, there are a number of tell-tale signs that can help you identify a safe and trustworthy gambling site. First, look for sites that have been in operation for several years. These sites have a proven track record of safety and security. Second, check to see if the site is licensed by a reputable gaming commission. This shows that the site has undergone rigorous testing and meets strict standards for fair play. Finally, take a look at the sites customer reviews. If players have had positive experiences with the site, this is a good sign that it is safe and reliable.By following these simple tips, you can find a gambling site that is safe for Brazilian players. With so many options to choose from, there is no reason to take any risks when it comes to your safety. Choose a reputable site and enjoy your gambling experience with peace of mind.

Brazil has a long history of gambling, dating back to the early days of the Portuguese colony. With its vibrant culture and love of games of chance, its no surprise that Brazil is home to a thriving gambling industry. However, with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know which gambling sites are safe for Brazilian players. A good place to start is with sites that are licensed by the Brazilian gaming authorities. These sites have been vetted for safety and fairness, and they offer a wide range of games for Brazilian players to enjoy. In addition, look for sites that offer secure banking methods, such as e-wallets or Bitcoin. These options will help you keep your financial information safe while you gamble. With a little research, you can find Brazillian gambling sites that offer a safe and enjoyable experience.

There is no federal law expressly prohibiting online gambling in Brazil. There are, however, some state laws that make it illegal to gamble online within that particular state. In addition, there are several Brazilian regulatory agencies that have issued rules and regulations pertaining to online gambling. As a result, the legal landscape of online gambling in Brazil is somewhat complex. For the most part, however, online gambling remains legal in Brazil. Foreigners who wish to gamble online should do so with caution, as some sites may not be compliant with Brazilian law.

Online gambling is a popular pastime for many Brazilians, but the legal status of this activity is somewhat murky. There is no specific law that prohibits online gambling, but some interpretations of existing legislation suggest that it could be considered illegal. However, enforcement of this potential ban is patchy at best, and many Brazilians continue to gamble online without any trouble from the authorities. In addition, there are a number of offshore gambling sites that accept Brazilian players, further complicating the legal picture. Ultimately, whether or not online gambling is legal in Brazil likely depends on the specific circumstances under which it is taking place. Nevertheless, it remains an popular activity among Brazilian internet users.

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Analysis-Slots to smartphones: pandemic sends Australia’s gambling problem online – SaltWire PEI powered by The Guardian

Posted: at 1:26 am

By Byron Kaye and Praveen Menon

SYDNEY (Reuters) - For Rhys Wareham, a coffee industry technician from Sydney, the start of COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 did not just mean staying home, but having to stop visiting the pub every afternoon to gamble on poker machines.

So he switched to a smartphone app which lets him track bets on his favourite sport, baseball, no matter where he is.

"The gambling itself doesn't stop," said Wareham, 31, who has a young child and is two-thirds of the way through paying off a A$30,000 ($19,968) gambling debt that bankrupted him eight years ago.

"Whatever hundreds of dollars I was spending in the afternoons at the pubs, it is now going into sports betting apps."

Already the world's biggest gambling nation in terms of loss per person, Australia has seen a shift in betting behaviour since the pandemic-forced closure of public venues.

Gamblers' losses on poker machines shrank for the first time during the pandemic, but at a rate far slower than an unprecedented increase in money lost on apps, showed data. That means more players are being exposed to an industry that is harder to regulate than traditional gambling.

Australia's gambling industry has been in the spotlight in recent years, with public inquiries lashing its biggest casino operators due to lapses in money laundering protections. Online gambling has also been the focus of inquiries, but with its increasing prevalence, the government has answered consumer advocates with a pledge to take a deeper look.

App providers are mostly foreign such as London-listed Flutter Entertainment PLC - owner of the most popular betting app in Australia, Sportsbet - and Entain PLC, owner of third-ranked app Ladbrokes. Unlike venues, they benefit from marketing methods such as text message-based promotions falling outside the scope of gambling advertising restrictions.

Gamblers' loss on poker machines was A$11.4 billion in 2021, shrinking A$1.1 billion or 17% from 2019, the year before lockdowns began, showed data from Monash University's School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine.

But gamblers' loss in online sports betting swelled A$3.2 billion or 80% to A$7.1 billion in the same period, showed figures supplied by industry consultancy H2 Gambling Capital, which excluded credit often rewarded in promotions.

By comparison, gamblers' total loss in online sports betting globally widened 58%. Australia overtook Britain, which has nearly three times its population, to rank third by online loss, behind the United States and Japan, said H2.

"Online operators have been competing for the business of customers who would have been betting in land-based facilities," said H2 senior consultant Ed Birkin.

"The severity of the lockdown was also a driver of Australia being toward the higher end of the online betting growth," he said, referring to movement restrictions through October 2021.

Nearly a year since lockdowns ended, Sportsbet account numbers are barely changed, showed filings from Flutter, whose regular customers include 6% of Australia's adult population - one million people.

Flutter did not respond to emails seeking comment.

An Entain spokesperson said the firm had "more player safety tools than any other operator in the market, including the use of algorithms which help us to detect problematic behaviour and then intervene."

WORLD CLASS PROBLEM

After decades of gambling deregulation, governments are cautious about reversing course, given tax revenue and industry lobbying, even amid public concern about a habit that strips voters of A$25 billion per year - or A$1,000 per person, more than double the United States.

The new centre-left federal government this month said it will hold a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling, though some recommendations of a 2015 inquiry are yet to take effect.

After that previous inquiry, state and federal governments agreed to build a "self-exclusion" register by May 2020, through which gamblers can bar themselves from registered betting apps.

Two years on, the register is "well advanced" but not operational, the Australian Communications and Media Authority which is overseeing the register, said in an email.

POKIES VS GUNS

As lockdowns made a crime of many forms of socialising, gambling became more attractive among "socially isolated or bored" young men, said Rebecca Jenkinson, executive manager of the Australian Gambling Research Centre.

"At their fingertips they have 24-hour access to gambling online. They are gambling because it's so available and heavily promoted."

Still, poker machines - known as pokies - are so entrenched that experts do not expect online betting to become the country's primary gambling habit any time soon, with venues housing some 200,000 machines returning to business as usual.

"Australia has pokies the way America has guns," said Wesley Mission, a nonprofit organisation which supports problem gamblers, in a policy document.

"It is our national shame and many of us are oblivious to the harm that it is causing people we know and love."

Wareham, the coffee technician, said he no longer uses poker machines and that family responsibilities help him control his online betting. He at least no longer spends a whole pay cheque in one sitting, but is worried others might fare worse.

"To anybody who's 25 who thinks there are millions of dollars in there to be had, there aren't," he said. "There are millions of dollars to be lost."

($1 = 1.5024 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Byron Kaye and Praveen Menon; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

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The Landscape of the Online Gambling Industry in Maryland – The Sports Bank

Posted: at 1:26 am

The online gambling industry in Maryland is still in its early stages, but it is already starting to take shape. The state has a number of casinos that offer online gambling, and there are also a few racetracks that offer online betting.

The industry is still relatively small, but it is growing rapidly with more and more people trying out casinos like theYukon Gold Casino Free Spins. In the past year, the number of people gambling online in Maryland has doubled.

While there are a number of casinos that offer online gambling services, the online gambling industry in Maryland is still waiting for official regulation from the state government. This has led to a situation where the legality of online gambling is somewhat unclear.

However, this situation is unlikely to last for much longer. TheMaryland General Assemblyis currently considering a bill that would regulate and tax online gambling in the state. If this bill becomes law, it would provide a much-needed boost to the industry and would clarify the legal status of online gambling in Maryland.

Doesnt that sound extremely promising for online gamblers in MD? We think yes too. And now, well explore whether there are any potential challenges regarding this industry in MD.

The landscape of the onlinegambling industry in Marylandis still evolving. The states casinos are still the primary players in the industry, but other types of businesses are starting to get involved as well. For example, there are now a few companies that offer online lottery services.

So, are there any potential challenges that this industry is facing in MD?

The online gambling industry in Maryland faces a number of challenges, including the need to obtain a license from the state, the lack of clarity around the legal status of online gambling, and the need to comply with state and federal laws.

So, what can we expect the future of the online gambling industry in Maryland to bring? Lets explore minutely!

The future of the online gambling industry in Maryland is looking bright. With the recent legalization of online gambling in the state, more and more people are expected to start playing casino games online. This will provide a boost to the economy and create new jobs in the state. Additionally, the tax revenue generated from online gambling will help to fund important state programs and services.

The states casinos are well-positioned to take advantage of the growing popularity of online gambling, and they are likely to continue to be the primary players in the industry. However, other types of businesses are also starting to get involved, and this is likely to lead to even more growth in the industry.

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Best Blockchain Poker Sites in the UK for 2022: Top UK Blockchain Poker Cash Games, Tournaments, Bonuses – CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR

Posted: at 1:25 am

Fast withdrawals, large bonuses, and increased security - it's no wonder players have turned their attention to blockchain poker sites and the perks they offer.

That said, the crypto poker landscape is vast; filled with hundreds of outfits with more being added to the list each year. If you want a piece of the action but don't know which UK blockchain poker sites are the best - we recommend checking out Americas Cardroom.

Part of the Winning Poker Network, ACR is a high-traffic poker site that's home to some of the best bonuses and largest prize pools in the industry.

That said, ACR isn't the only option, and if youd like to hear about some alternatives, our team of poker experts has compiled all the info you need - and it's all covered below.

Sponsor

18+ First-time UK depositors only. $25 minimum deposit required. A welcome package of 100% match deposit of up to $2000. Full T&Cs apply.

Pros

Cons

Based out of San Jose, Costa Rica, America's Cardroom is a well-established poker site that's been dealing hands for over two decades. Aside from poker, youll find other casino games on this site, including the best crypto slots online.

The outfit functions as the flagship skin of the Winning Poker Network, a high-traffic poker platform it shares with other popular poker sites like Black Chip Poker and True Poker.

Game Variety & Tournaments - 5/5

Americas Cardroom hosts one of the largest collections of NL Hold'em cash games around, the most popular being low-stakes tables of 9 players. Heads Up (HU) action and Blitz Poker are also available.

You'll also find hundreds of PL Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo tables in play along with a small selection of Fixed Limit 7 Card Stud poker rooms.

For tourney play, the online poker site doesn't disappoint, and along with an excellent selection of Sit and Go's, Jackpot poker games, and multi-flight PKOs, Americas Cardroom is home to the industry-famous Venom poker tournament.

Played four times a year, The Venom is a marquee PKO poker tournament with a GTD prize pool of $10 million and a first-place prize of $1 million.

For something more regular, check out the MillionDollarSunday event - a multi-flight freezeout with a $1 million GDT prize pool and a buy-in of $265.

Promotions & Bonuses - 4.6/5

ACR runs a first deposit bonus of 100% up to $2,000. The bonus is cleared at a rate of $1 for every 27.5 loyalty points earned, and a minimum deposit of $25 is required to qualify. Bonus funds can be applied to cash games, Sit and Go's, and nearly all tournaments hosted on ACR.

While the Bitcoin poker site doesn't have a weekly deposit bonus, there are several promotions worth mentioning, including our personal favorite - The Beast.

A weekly progressive points race with over $40,000 up for grabs, The Beast siphons a portion of the rake from all real-money cash games into a prize pot, which is split among the top 1,600 participants.

Interestingly, your position on the leaderboard is determined by how much rake you pay and not whether you win or lose - making The Beast attractive to both casual and experienced players.

Additionally, be on the lookout for Bomb Pots, which drop 4 times an hour at 6- and 9-player tables (Blitz Poker excluded). Not only are Bomb Pots larger than normal, but all players must stay alive at the flop.

Banking Options - 4.7/5

At ACR, players can fund their accounts with over 60 cryptocurrencies, including popular large-cap coins like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Ripple, and Bitcoin Cash.

Moreover, ACR is one of the few mainstream online poker sites that accept Monero - something for privacy-loving players to keep in mind.

If you're not interested in using cryptocurrency, ACR also accepts deposits via credit cards and popular e-wallet services like Neteller and Skrill. MoneyGram and Ria transfers can also be arranged.

For withdrawals, players have the choice of cryptocurrency, paper checks, or MoneyGram/Ria transfers. Once submitted, withdrawals take up to 24 hours to process (although crypto withdrawals often take much less time to complete).

Reputation - 4.85/5

Americas Cardroom quickly became one of the largest US, Australia, and UK-facing poker sites in operation. If you're worried about safety, know that the crypto poker site is highly secure, and in its 20+ years in operation, has never suffered a major security breach or data loss.

Finally - at 27% - ACR is one of the few remaining top Bitcoin casinos that still offer a decent Rakeback program - something to keep in mind if you're a serious grinder.

Join one of the biggest blockchain poker sites in the UK. Sign up at Americas Cardroom today!

Sponsor

18+ First-time UK depositors only. $25 minimum deposit required. A welcome package of 100% match deposit of up to $2000. 60-day bonus expiry. Full T&Cs apply.

Pros

Cons

Black Chip Poker is an all-in-one gambling site complete with slots, casino games, and - of course - Poker. Its also one of the best blackjack sites on this list.

Like its sister site, Americas Cardroom, Black Chip Poker operates on the Winning Poker Network - giving players access to high-traffic cash games, large prize pool tournaments, and excellent bonuses.

Game Variety & Tournaments - 4.8/5

BCP hosts a wide array of cash games, including NL/FL Hold'em, PL Omaha, Omaha H/L, and Stud. Stakes range from micro to high with a good number of options in-between to fit all bankrolls.

For tournament play, BCP offers the same selection of Multi-Table Tournaments and Sit and Go's you'd expect to find at any top poker site. The site also runs frequent NLHE and PKO Jackpot poker tournaments.

These Jackpot Poker games feature buy-ins for all stake levels and prize pools can reach a whopping $1 million. PKOs are also well-represented, and we were impressed to see a handful of $10,000 and $25,000 GTD prize pots in play.

Players can also take test their luck (or skill) at BCPs Million Dollar Sunday tourney. This multi-flight event comes with a GTD prize pool of $1 million and re-entry is allowed.

Of course, as part of the Winning Poker Network, all BCP players have access to The Venom poker tournament - a multi-flight freezeout with a $10 million GTD prize pool and a top prize of $1 million.

Promotions & Bonuses - 4.75/5

BCP is stacked with bonuses, starting with a first deposit bonus of 100% up to $2,000. Funds are released at a rate of $1 for every 27.5 Awards Points earned and youll have 60 days to clear the entire bonus.

From there, we recommend checking out BCP's lineup of Freerolls, all of which offer a GTD prize pool of $50. If you plan on being a regular customer, consider checking out BCP's Elite Rewards program - a 6-level program full of cash rewards.

However, signing up with the Elite Rewards program means you lose access to the site's 27% rakeback program - something to keep in mind.

Finally, BCP runs two progressive points races - Sit and Crush and The Beast.

The latter features a $40,000 prize pool split among the top 1,600 participants. Sit and Crush operates in a similar fashion, but points are earned by playing Sit and Go's, Jackpot Poker Games, and On Demand Tournaments.

Banking Options - 4.8/5

Black Chip Poker accepts over 60 popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Litecoin, Monero, and even Zcash.

For fiat options, BCP accepts credit card payments, several popular e-wallet, and money transfer services like MoneyGram and Ria.

If you don't see a deposit option you like, know that BCP's customer service staff are willing to work out custom deposit methods.

For withdrawals, BCP gives users the option of Cryptocurrencies, paper checks, and MoneyGram/Ria. Minimum withdrawal amounts range from $50 to $100 depending on the method and most cashout requests are processed within 24 to 48 hours.

Reputation - 4.85/5

As part of the Winning Poker Network, Black Chip Poker enjoys a solid reputation among poker players, and its random number generator technology has been certified by iTech labs.

The site also offers a good mix of new, casual, and experienced players and it hasn't been the subject of any major scandals in its nearly two decades of operation.

While player tracking tools are prohibited, BCP does let you download a detailed copy of your hands' history, giving serious players the chance to analyze their past moves, decisions, and mistakes.

Enjoy exciting bonuses at Black Chip Poker. Sign up for an account now!

Sponsor

18+. Weekly leaderboards with the top 50 players determined by the number of points collected, will share a total of 10,000 USDT prize pool between NHLE and PLO. Prizes will be paid out within 48 hours. Full T&Cs apply.

Pros

Cons

Coinpoker is a blockchain-powered, fully-decentralized poker platform that came online in 2017. The site offers fast withdrawals, no KYC checks, and a generous 30% rakeback program.

Poker Variants & Game Variety - 4.3/5

Most of CoinPoker's cash game action is split between its NL Hold'em and PL Omaha poker rooms. The site is home to a handful of 5 Card Omaha bitcoin poker rooms, which adds a nice bit of variety to the mix.

Unfortunately, no Stud, FL Omaha, or No Limit Omaha poker rooms are available and the site receives noticeably less traffic than Americas Cardroom or Black Chip Poker. In fact, CoinPoker tournaments receive far more action than their cash games - especially the NL Hold'em Satellite freerolls.

Finally, CoinPoker is one of the only BTC poker sites to offer Open Face Chinese Poker - a fun, fast-paced, three-player poker variant with low stakes.

Promotions & Bonuses - 4.4/5

Compared to other Bitcoin-friendly poker sites, CoinPoker is lacking in the bonus department and you won't find any welcome or weekly reload bonuses up for grabs.

Nevertheless, the site does run a weekly progressive points race with a prize pool of 10,000 USDT. Interestingly, this prize pool is split between two leaderboards - one for NLHE and one for PLO. There's also a monthly tournament points race with a prize pool of 15,000 USDT.

In both cases, points are scored based on activity and not stakes, meaning the more you play the more points you get.

Holding CHP also gives you access to the site's 30% rakeback program (which is paid out every Monday).

Banking Options - 4.2/5

CoinPoker is a crypto-only online gambling site, accepting deposits in Bitcoin, Tether, CHP, Ethereum, Polygon, and BUSD. Conveniently, CoinPoker has no minimum deposit amount and no personal info is required to fund your bankroll.

Withdrawals can be completed using any of the supported coins, and once submitted, a withdrawal request is typically processed within 10 minutes or less!

There are, however, a few issues to be aware of. CoinPoker will only accept BTC deposits from BTC legacy addresses, and because CoinPoker assigns a fixed crypto address to your account, you'll need to deposit and withdraw funds using the same wallet address.

Reputation - 4.4/5

While nowhere near as popular as sites like ACR and BCP, CoinPoker has the distinction of being the largest fully decentralized online poker site in operation.

Additionally, because the site uses blockchain - and not regular RNG technology - to shuffle decks, you know every hand you receive is 100% provably fair.

CoinPoker also offers some of the best customer services in the online poker industry. Whether you have a question about gameplay, bonuses, or banking, a customer service representative is always available through the platform's Telegram channel.

Enjoy your favourite poker game on the go with CoinPoker!

Sponsor

18+. Newly registered UK players only. One bonus per player, per device and/or IP address. $10 minimum deposit to be eligible for the matched bonus. Full T&Cs apply.

Pros

Cons

Launched in 2017 as the flagship skin of the GoodGame Poker Network, GGPoker is a UK-friendly poker site that comes with plenty of unique features, excellent mobile support, and a large selection of tournaments (WSOP included).

Poker Variants & Game Variety - 4.75/5

GGpoker offers first-class game variety, starting with its ever-popular NLHE and PLO cash games. Stakes range from $0.05/$0.1 up to $5/$10 with no shortage of options in-between.

We were also impressed by the number of PLO-5 poker games available and some of the lower-stake rooms feature over 30 tables and 70+ players.

GGpoker also runs its own version of Rush or Blitz poker called 'Rush & Cash'. Buy-ins range from $0.40 up to $80.

We also recommend checking out GG's ever-exciting 'All-In Or Fold' (AoF) games. This fast-paced poker variant features up to 16 players with 4 players per table in a shootout format. Like the Rush & Cash, all AoF games contribute to a $25,000 daily points race.

If tournament play is your jam, GGpoker won't disappoint. Along with an excellent selection of in-house GGMaster Freezouts (which feature a GTD prize pool of $500,000), the site is also a WSOP partner - giving you access to the $20 million GTD Main Event and the chance to pick up some Bracelets.

On top of all this, Daily GTD tourneys, regular Omaholics, and access to the Battle of Malta poker tournament are also available.

Promotions & Bonuses - 4.5/5

At GGpoker, new players have the option of a 100% up to $600 welcome bonus or $100 in free tickets and cash game dollars.

If you opt for the deposit bonus, bonus funds are unlocked at a rate of $1 for every $5 paid in rake. What's more, you have 90 days to clear the entire bonus - which is more than what most Bitcoin poker websites allow.

The site also runs a Daily Freebie program, which typically comes in the form of a $0.25 ticket for one of its Rush & Cash or Battle Royal Bitcoin poker rooms.

While no weekly reload bonus is available, GG does have a unique weekly Freeroll program. If you make a deposit on Mondays or Thursdays, you'll get a free ticket for a $2,000 GTD Freeroll. Prizes are shared among the top 99 players, making this promotion a great way to pad your bankroll.

Finally, if your 4-of-a-kind is beaten by any hand during a real money cash game, GGPoker will soften the blow by giving you 10% of the pot - a promotion known as the Bad Beat Bonus.

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Best Blockchain Poker Sites in the UK for 2022: Top UK Blockchain Poker Cash Games, Tournaments, Bonuses - CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR

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Online gambling has boomed over the past few years, new figures show – Oxford Mail

Posted: at 1:25 am

THAMESValley Police recorded hundreds of crimes related to gambling over two years, figures show.

Online gambling has boomed over the past few years the Gambling Commission estimates there were13.4 millionplayers across Great Britain in 2021, up from 12.1 million the year before.

While the vast majority of players do so responsibly, 'problem' gambling has been linked to a range of crimes such as theft, assault and criminal damage, according to figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests by penal reform charity the Howard League.

They show 486 gambling-related crimes were logged by Thames Valley Police in 2019 and 2020.

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The charity asked forces across England how many crimes were tagged with the word 'gambling' over this period.

Lord Goldsmith KC, the chair of the Commission on Crime and Gambling Related Harms, said that despite a mounting body of evidence linking gambling and crime, "too little is being done within the criminal justice system to address the issue".

Identifying gambling addiction, and providing sufferers with the right support and information, is crucial to mitigating the harms done by gambling, the Howard League said.

It found that while Thames Valley Police did not routinely screen offenders on their gambling habits, they did show some awareness and activity on the impacts of gambling at the time of the FOI request in the spring of 2021.

According to the charity's report, four in 10 forces are not taking enough action on the impacts of gambling, and just two in 10 routinely screen those in custody on their gambling habits.

READ MORE:Assault leaves teen injured from fight in Blackbird Leys

Dominique Webb, head of programmes at the gambling support charity Gamcare, said the link between gambling-related harms and crime is "increasingly clear".

She said the charity has been training staff in the criminal justice system on how to identify those suffering from gambling addiction and direct them to treatment.

Last September, Public Health England estimated there over 2.2 million people who could be classed as problem gamblers, or were at risk of addiction.

The most common gambling-related offence in Thames Valley was violence against the person, with 257 counts across 2019 and 2020.

Of the nearly 3,000 crimes recorded by the 37 police forces which provided data across England and Wales, this was the most common type of offence, with 1,291 incidents.

This was followed by theft, with 688 incidents, and criminal damage, with 206.

Several police forces did not submit useable data, including the Met and West Midlands Police the two largest forces in England Cumbria, Dyfed-Powys, Hampshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire and Wiltshire.

Chief constable Steve Jupp, the National Police Chiefs' Council's lead for serious and organised crime said police forces are working with various groups to improve how the police deal with gambling.

"It is important for policing to recognise the signs early when dealing with someone through the criminal justice process so that the best support is offered to those with a gambling addiction," he said.

"We recognise there is still work to be done in this field and are gathering best practice from forces on early screening of gambling addicts, offering the right support and signpost to where they can seek further help."

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Online gambling has boomed over the past few years, new figures show - Oxford Mail

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