A lawmaker and a representative of the largest online sports betting company in Australia engaged in an intense discussion earlier this week. The topic was whether or not betting operators block gamblers that are continuously winning and involved the committee chair of the House of Representatives for Dunkley, Victoria, Peta Murphy, as well as Barni Evans, the CEO of SportsBet, a famous online sports betting company in the country, ABC News revealed.

Murphy asked SportsBet’s CEO if the company stops punters from being able to bet or access their betting accounts if such people are constantly using different promotions as well as other inducements to always win. The response of the company’s CEO was that on specific occasions, it may restrict access to a customer’s account and the options for betting or depositing.

Evans explained that such occasions would involve an individual that is demonstrating the use of insider information that can ultimately impact the market for other punters. On other occasions, he said, restricting accounts or depositing may be enforced when the company notices an individual betting on behalf of another person, something that’s not uncommon for many gambling operators.

Punters Can Be Restricted from Betting over Several Reasons

Additionally, Evans said that if a punter was in a cool-off period or has enforced a deposit limit, they would not be allowed to deposit. “If they are betting in highly illiquid markets that are volatile and have very high fluctuations, then we would reduce the amount of available stakes in those areas,” added the CEO.

“We will seek occasionally to limit some forms of transactions either bets or deposits in a number of circumstances.“

Barni Evans, CEO of SportsBet

Hearing Evans’ response, Murphy asked once again if a bettor’s account would be restricted if they are winning constantly without using insider information. She did not receive a response that greatly differed from the previous statement of SportsBet’s CEO. Continuing the discussion, Evans explained that the company doesn’t restrict users that are mathematically gifted. However, he said that clients that are using insider information cannot be allowed to bet as it would create an unfair market for the other bettors.

Murphy asked the same question once again trying to extract more information from Evans, but the CEO kept his position, saying that suspending of accounts happens when insider trading is observed. The chair of the House of Representatives explained that she wants to know if gambling companies suspend or restrict bettor’s accounts when they are constantly winning, outlining that she knows a person that has seen this happen. In the end, Murphy did not receive a yes or no answer and concluded that betting companies may stop people from betting whenever they are only winning.

Lottery giant Allwyn UK announced that it has finalized a new agreement with Vodafone. The new partnership will see the two companies upgrade the technological aspect of the UK National Lottery starting 2024.

Vodafone agreed to provide IoT connectivity and broadband, which will be delivered as a private secure network for all retail sites, the official announcement reads. In addition, Vodafone will host the lottery in its data centers in the United Kingdom. Finally, the provider will power Allwyn’s offices with WAN connectivity.

Vodafone also will help Allwyn upgrade the National Lottery to a mobile-first approach. This will make the lottery easier to deploy and more manageable. As a result, the changes will help retail shops boost their sales.

Furthermore, Allwyn and Vodafone found out that one in three Brits would like to see more digital technology in their local convenience store. According to recent research, local corner shops most commonly use websites (19%), social media (16%) and self-service checkouts (15%).

By comparison, only 12% of customers said that their local store has a mobile app or a loyalty program. Only 9%, on the other hand, were aware of online collection ordering services. The research demonstrated that there is an opportunity for retailers to leverage tech to enhance the shopping experience for their customers.

The Improvements Will Benefit Retailers as Well

Vodafone’s UK business director, Nick Gliddon, said that digital tech can play a big role in transforming a business and improving customer experience. He noted that, sadly, the lottery sector has not benefitted a lot from the recent developments in technology, at least as of yet. However, the current partnership will change that, Gliddon noted:

This partnership is a significant digital step forward that will help high street retailers keep up with changing consumer patterns, engaging new audiences and supporting Allwyn with reinvigorating the UK National Lottery so that it can continue to raise funds for good causes.

Nick Gliddon, UK business director, Vodafone

Robert Chvatal, Allwyn UK’s interim chief executive, also shared his thoughts on the matter. He said that Allwyn and Vodafone now have a “clearly defined scope and plan” to improve the National Lottery’s current technology offer.

Chvatal promised that the improvements will not only benefit customers but retailers as well. For example, Vodafone will assist Allwyn in providing digital skills training to retailers in Britain, in line with the operator’s commitment to supporting high-street retailers.

Physical retail is a critically important part of our plan to grow the National Lottery and this is just one of the many things we are committed to doing over the course of the Fourth License to better support our retail partners with the investment and equipment they need to grow their own businesses.

Robert Chvatal, interim CEO, Allwyn UK

A month ago, Allwyn closed the acquisition of Camelot LS Group.

In anticipation of the result of the White Paper from the review of the Gambling Act in the UK, a new study reveals how do gamblers feel about mandatory affordability checks. However, before the review is out, no one can confirm whether or not, strict mandatory checks would be required in the country, and if so, what would be the threshold for such checks.

Still, the sports betting community, Online Betting Guide (OLBG), released the results of a new study, revealing insights into how punters feel about affordability checks. Conducted by YouGov, the new probe engaged with 1,007 gamblers in the UK between February 23 and March 2, 2023.

Although there are no mandatory affordability requirements, in light of significant fines against companies allowing gamblers that cannot afford to wager, imposed by the gambling regulator in the UK, the Gambling Commission, some operators have decided to implement their own affordability thresholds. With that in mind, the new study uncovered that a majority of the bettors disagree with sharing sensitive financial documents for affordability checks.

60% Of Gamblers Not Happy with Providing Financial Data

Overall, nearly 60% of the participants in the new research admitted they have not been asked to provide financial documents for an affordability check but wouldn’t provide even if they are asked to do so. A breakdown of that result shows that 29.2% of the participants were not asked to provide such info but if asked, they would quit betting altogether.

Separately, 27.4% of the gamblers admitted they have not been asked for financial documents for an affordability check but if asked, they would not do so and select a different licensed gambling operator. What’s worrying is that 3.2% of the gamblers admitted they weren’t asked for such documents but if asked, they wouldn’t provide them and place a bet with an unlicensed operator.

In contrast, only 16.2% of the gamblers said that they were asked to provide financial documents and they have done so. Another 18.5% admitted that they haven’t been asked for documents related to affordability checks but if asked, would provide them.

A small percentage of the gamblers, or 3.9%, confirmed that they were asked about financial documents but refused to provide them and switched to another licensed operator. Only 0.8% of the gamblers that were asked to provide documents for financial checks decided to stop betting, while 0.9% said that they were asked but decided not to provide such information and switched to an unlicensed operator.

Betknowmore, a UK charity that helps people overcome problem gambling, has announced that it has joined the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN). This comes in the wake of GambleAware’s decision to increase funding for the network.

As announced by Betknowmore, the charity’s services, namely Peer Aid, New Beginnings and GOALS, have been commissioned by Gamble Aware to roll out nationally. As a result, BetKnowmore will be able to help more people over the next three years.

National Gambling Support Network, formerly known as the National Gambling Treatment Network, is designed to keep gambling harm rates low. The renewed network will have double the funding it previously had, allowing it to help many more people.

The network is comprised of a range of treatment charities that provide customers with the support they need without judging them. The expanded funding reflects GambleAware’s willingness to address the changing needs of those at risk of gambling harm in the United Kingdom.

In 2023, the program will adopt a regional first approach, creating improved referral routes for those suffering from gambling harm. The National Gambling Helpline will redirect people to their local treatment provider which will be responsible for finding the best treatment for their needs.

Betknowmore Is Delighted to Be a Part of the NGSN

In a statement, Anna Hargrave, GambleAware’s chief commissioning officer, said that GambleAware is delighted to unveil the new NGSN. She said that her team is also happy to increase its funding for the initiative.

Hargrave said that the NGSN is built on strong foundations and is supported by many exceptional regional providers. She added that the regional first approach will hopefully create new opportunities to work with other local services and agencies.

By broadening our reach at a local level and engaging with local authorities or the criminal justice sector, for example, means we can further help those experiencing harm from gambling.

Anna Hargrave, chief commissioning officer, GambleAware

Hargrave added that the involvement of people with lived experience will be a central part of how the new NGSN will functions.

Frankie Graham, Betknowmore’s founder and chief executive officer, shared his thoughts on joining the new NGSN. He called the launch “an important milestone” for supporting those who have been hurt by problem gambling. Because of that, his company is looking forward to contributing to the network.

Betknowmore UK is immensely proud to contribute to a national provision of work. The three key services that we will provide are demonstration that the voice of lived experience, embedded into peer and community support, has an essential part to play in gambling harms prevention and recovery.

Frankie Graham, founder & CEO, Betknowmore

Graham thanked everyone who has been a part of Betknowmore’s journey and said that only collective effort can mitigate the damages caused by gambling addiction.