MAR APR 2022
Editor's Letter
When you think about gambling's place in society, you quickly realise responsible gambling is a unique proposition in comparison to other industries.
Putting the entertainment angle to one side, ultimately, gambling is a business that involves customers losing money. So are most products in life, of course, but the addiction problems gambling can bring make it ripe for criticism. Maximising profit therefore becomes problematic.
If a car dealer sells 10 Ferraris to a young, naive professional footballer earning six figures every week, the likelihood is no one bats an eyelid. If that same footballer were to spend a week's salary on casino betting, however, it would make front-page news.
In societies like the UK's, gambling can be heavily frowned upon. Responsible gaming is a key reason. If that sounds like a contradiction, let me explain...
For critics, whether they are politically or financially motivated (usually on the less-reasonable scale), or people who have genuinely been affected by gambling harm and truly want to protect people (far more reasoned and understanding), responsible gambling is considered a tick-box exercise. Operators must avoid this by making the protection of players a core part of their business.
And this is where we truly get to the crux of the matter. Gambling companies' primary source of income is when a bettor loses – we hear time and again the punters' prophecy of 'beating the bookies.' Meanwhile, public companies, especially when you consider that both Entain and Flutter Entertainment are part of the FTSE 100, are answerable to investors and shareholders. It is no coincidence that when new regulations are announced, share prices tumble, likewise when financials fall.
On the flip side, gambling is an entertainment business. The product is an experience. If you win, the thrill is hard to match by, for example, watching Netflix or building a model aeroplane. So how do gambling companies balance the quality of this offering with the need to protect players who suffer from gambling-related harm, or are betting more than they can afford?
Coming full circle, all of the above is exactly why responsible gaming is a truly unique proposition, and why reporting on this industry is so exciting and rewarding for a journalist like myself. I, personally, love betting. But responsible gambling for the masses? It's one tough nut to crack.
Gaming’s legal eagle
Sandra Douglass Morgan tells us about her background, and lends her unique insight into gaming and regulation on the GI Huddle.
Global Gaming Awards London: A return to The Hippodrome
A historic property with a modern outlook, the Global Gaming Awards celebrate their return to the Hippodrome Casino.
Responsible Gaming: going the extra mile
Gambling Insider speaks to several Global Gaming Awards nominees about how far the industry has come with responsible gambling.
Roundtable: CRM and Responsible Gambling
Magdalena Frankowska, CMO at Soft2Bet; Kristiyan Petrov, Head of CRM at Delasport; Adam Rowley, Managing Director of RavenTrack and Yoel Zuckerberg, VP Product at Aspire Global discuss the growth of CRM and its importance within issues such as responsible gambling.
Are we there yet?
Lee Richardson MBA, regular Gambling Insider contributor, CEO of Gaming Economics and Co-Founder of the Big Betting Balagan, asks where we are in the drive towards responsible gambling.
Advertising restraints in new markets
Gambling Insider regular columnist Gustaf Hoffstedt and General Secretary, BOS, analyses the impact of advertisements in fuelling gaming regulation.
Germany: New gambling advertising rules
Dr Joerg Hofmann, Partner at Melchers Law, follows up his recent GI Huddle appearance with his second Gambling Insider column – which focuses on gambling advertising in Germany.
Sports data: Flying the flag
Gambling Insider takes a look at Sportradar’s ninth-place spot in The Sport Technology Power List 2021.
A staff crisis?
Gambling Insider regular Paul Sculpher talks about the ongoing crisis in the UK’s land-based casinos.
Responsible gaming scrutiny is here to stay
Gambling Insider regular contributor Nick Hill gives his views on responsible gaming and the microscope that constantly follows it.
A Dutch ad ban?
Willem van Oort, regular Gambling Insider columnist, discusses a looming ban to online gambling advertisements in the Netherlands.
The profitability of mental health in iGaming
A pragmatic argument, regular Gambling Insider columnist Alex Czajkowski discusses why there is not just a human case for responsible gambling – but a business one.
What makes a responsible affiliate?
Malcolm Darnley of BestOdds points out the best types of affiliates for end users.
Big Question: How is fast games developing as a popular branch of online casino?
We asked Josip Vrbić, Managing Director for Seven Games; Araksi Sargsyan, Head of Business Development at DS Virtual Gaming; Vladimir Malakchi, Chief Commercial Officer at Evoplay
Are NFTs fair play in India?
Regular Gambling Insider contributors Ranjana Adhikari (Partner) and Sarthak Doshi (Associate) of IndusLaw discuss NFTs in India.
Insiders: SuzoHapp aiming for strong 2022
Gambling Insider speaks with SuzoHapp Vice President Todd Sims on his company’s goals for 2022.
Insiders: Delivering on conversions
Andrea McGeachin, CCO of Neosurf, talks to Gambling Insider about the role of payments in supporting gambling regulations.
Insiders: Continued momentum for ETGs
Interblock Global CEO John Connelly mentions the supplier’s “aggressive” online strategies, labour plans and what’s on the horizon for the firm in the coming months.
Insiders: The market has adapted
Atmosfera Studio Director and Senior Partner Arsen Barsegyan speaks toGambling Insider about the company's goals for 2022, while also reflectingon how the industry has changed in 2021.
Final word: An inside perspective on the state of iGaming
Gambling Insider spoke with 1X2 Network CEO Kevin Reid for an inside perspective on the state of iGaming.
Leading launch for Louisiana
The Game Day’s Scott Engel analyses the hugely successful mobile sports betting launch in the state of Louisiana, with help from DraftKings' Johnny Avello.
