UKGC killing the market

[Alexisss]

Tougher standards on gambling advertising announced
(see ASA / CAP website)

What really cracked me up is the bit below... wtf?!

"...Evidence reviewed in developing the CAP guidance suggests that advertising does not play a causal or even significant role in problem gambling or harm in general..."

This whole cowshit about the new advertising rules to protect vulnerable players and prevent gambling problems is beyond me. Same applies to the money laundering laws, UKGC is now also pushing operators to request info on "source of income" from players. So someone can spend £10k on Amazon without a problem, but if he wants to play at a casino he needs to provide source of income?

 

[PaaskeUK]

Tougher standards on gambling advertising announced
(see ASA / CAP website)

What really cracked me up is the bit below... wtf?!

"...Evidence reviewed in developing the CAP guidance suggests that advertising does not play a causal or even significant role in problem gambling or harm in general..."

This whole cowshit about the new advertising rules to protect vulnerable players and prevent gambling problems is beyond me. Same applies to the money laundering laws, UKGC is now also pushing operators to request info on "source of income" from players. So someone can spend £10k on Amazon without a problem, but if he wants to play at a casino he needs to provide source of income?

Yeah this has really gone to far. And your title is great and spot on i like it! So yes a person who open a casino account and deposits £10 has to give source of income. But at same time can walk in to a bookie from street and gamble £1000s without a notice or do crazy big bets on roulette or yes even order things from amazon or other places without notice.....

Take also another example i love Fifa and have an Xbox(call me old timer i know) but there people can buy fifa points to open packs with and try generate coins etc. in my world this is gambling as well and UKGC does nothing about that, or anyone does not regulate EA who is behind these kind of games with money involved!

UKGC doing great as no one will want to ever gamble or even try it, as that is a very personal piece of information.

PS i had this silly question at Videoslots where i play a lot. But it did only come as a "popup" they only need what occupation and max gambling amount. I was really close to just put "gambler" but though not worth risking getting my account closed/blocked haha. But i just wrote "Work" have not heard from them.

I really hate that with all the rules no matter what casino i advertise i am almost banned to write my own articles like it used to be. Now it is almost copy/paste and loads almost duplicate content in google.

 

[NDG]

Affiliates need to comply with a ever changing set of advertising standards that are implemented by the UKGC in order
to promote UK-licensed online casinos, but some affiliates could just decide to remove the UK-licensed brands and begin
promoting Curacao-licensed casinos that continue to accept UK players.. and avoid the hassle of dealing with the rules.

I'm not saying that affiliates should do this.. but its obvious that the UKGC is beginning to alienate affiliates with all of these
regulations, especially when they are constantly changing.. and require affiliates to change up things on their web sites.

 

[Biti]

Affiliates need to comply with a ever changing set of advertising standards that are implemented by the UKGC in order
to promote UK-licensed online casinos, but some affiliates could just decide to remove the UK-licensed brands and begin
promoting Curacao-licensed casinos that continue to accept UK players.. and avoid the hassle of dealing with the rules.

I'm not saying that affiliates should do this.. but its obvious that the UKGC is beginning to alienate affiliates with all of these
regulations, especially when they are constantly changing.. and require affiliates to change up things on their web sites.

I think for small-medium affiliates that will be the future. All those rules you have to comply with, programs that are breaching their own terms to just steal players and of course competition of super affiliates, will lead to smaller affiliates that have to choose a niche. That niche could be brands that operate without a license.

 

[baldidiot]

I really hate that with all the rules no matter what casino i advertise i am almost banned to write my own articles like it used to be. Now it is almost copy/paste and loads almost duplicate content in google.

This has definitely been a game changer.

In an attempt to future proof things we've started redeveloping all of our sites - merging those that have overlap to reduce maintenance time (had to happen eventually) but also changing the focus. So before where we had sites that were mainly about the bookies, we're creating sites that could exist if there were no bookies listed at all. So not review focussed, less comparison tables, less about features etc.. and more general betting info.

Obv doesn't work for offer based sites so those are still headaches but not much we can do there. Although we may offload part of that side of our portfolio after the world cup so we can focus on the more content orientated sites.

That and diversifying out of the UK. Too risky to be solely UK facing at the moment.

 

[Alexisss]

PS i had this silly question at Videoslots where i play a lot. But it did only come as a "popup" they only need what occupation and max gambling amount. I was really close to just put "gambler" but though not worth risking getting my account closed/blocked haha. But i just wrote "Work" have not heard from them.

I think Videoslots is currently getting a hammering on CM, my main concern is when high value players don't want to provide their "source of income" and operators are forced to close accounts to stay compliant with UKGC, surely at some point the loss of revenue will be claimed through more shaving of affiliates/ increasing fees on RS etc...

I hope I'm wrong....

 

[KasinoKing]

I think Videoslots is currently getting a hammering on CM, my main concern is when high value players don't want to provide their "source of income" and operators are forced to close accounts to stay compliant with UKGC, surely at some point the loss of revenue will be claimed through more shaving of affiliates/ increasing fees on RS etc...

I hope I'm wrong....

Sorry, but that is ridiculous - they couldn't possibly take more from their affiliates than they already are
... unless they are going to start charging us to promote them!

KK

 

[Moonlight Cat]

but some affiliates could just decide to remove the UK-licensed brands and begin
promoting Curacao-licensed casinos that continue to accept UK players.. and avoid the hassle of dealing with the rules.

UKGC with they stupid policy will get what they want. Big unregulated black online gambling market.

For example only yesterday i find online casino/bookie who accept UK players without any UK license. RevShare 35%-55%. Low admin fee. Payment every week. This is absolutely standart for unregulated Euroasia operators. But most affiliates don't know anything about this because this shadow operators before present days work only on non-English markets.

But now they have all chances to expancy on Europe/UK. And this is only the first bird. Belive me friends, i know from the world of mouth that many shadow operators from Eurasia prepare to attack regulated markets in near future.

Yes, fake software (sometimes better than original) and no-lisensed brands. But they pay fast, they never ask players and affiliates stupid questions.

And what most affiliates will choose? Very hight RevShare and fast payouts or regulated brands with many restrictions? I think we all know the answer.

Have are look to sportsbetting markets. What is the most hight-profit brands? Who give the best service for players? Who give the highest odds?

In most cases this is unregulated and non-lisensed brands like MaxBet (former IBCBet), Singbet, BetISN e.t.c.

Now we will have the same in casino markets.

 

[Biti]

I agree partly with your post. Not with all.

It's not that every "illegal" site is a good one. There are many scammers around. 1xbet is the best example.

 

[Moonlight Cat]

It's not that every "illegal" site is a good one. There are many scammers around. 1xbet is the best example.

Yes, but we have many examples when "legal" and licensed site cheating affiliates for example. Anyway, this is not our problem. We (affiliates) must drive traffic to operators.

We (affiliates) don't have power to regulate operators, software owners, safe gambling addicted persons e.t.c.

From my point of view, all what must we do - is give the honest information. This site have "fake software" this site have "original software", this site have "UK" license, this site have another jurisdiction license, and this is unlicensed site. That's all. We give information, player make they decision.

If UKGC policy resulte that many unlicensed operators will come to UK market - we must give information about that.

Have are look to sportsbetting market. Some unlicensed asian sportsbooks have impeccable reputation between players. And give to players the best service. Why we must hide this information?

UKGC play they own games behind the scene. This is the same as many affiliates too worry about fake software. But the truth is, that some times original and fake software operators have very good cooperation. Fake software owners pay "unofficial undertable fee" for original software owners. And the last don't take any legal action against them.

Internet is the most approximate model for the free market. If UKGC so stupid, that they think that they may reguate this, i don't have words. China and Russia, have very strong internet censorhip. And illegal black gambling market grow every year.

If UKGC think that they may take control to all world outside UK, this is very strange.

UKGC must lobby to decrease taxes and make gambling more attractive. This is the one and only way to protect UK-based operators and UK-based affiliates. Otherwise black gambling market will destroy it.

Now internet gambling this is not only sites. This is apps, this is private messengers, agents, bitcoins and other crypto e.t.c. We live in digital era, borders is not important for this kind of buisness in 2018. But UKGC i think still live in 70's or 80's.

 

[AussieDave]

Yet another prime example, of how a Government body, can totally f#ck up an industry because they're clueless to how a said industry operates, and has operated for over 2 decades.

The industry isn't perfect. However, what we need is a means to stamp-out the rogues and clip joints. Instead it seems to UKGC is focused on spanking its licensees, instead of trying to help the industry become better.

Been said a few times... The UKGC seems more focused on actions to make it harder and harder for operators to run a casino etc. Maybe this year we'll see operators decide to pull the pin on the UK market.

 

[Biti]

Yes, but we have many examples when "legal" and licensed site cheating affiliates for example. Anyway, this is not our problem. We (affiliates) must drive traffic to operators.

We (affiliates) don't have power to regulate operators, software owners, safe gambling addicted persons e.t.c.

From my point of view, all what must we do - is give the honest information. This site have "fake software" this site have "original software", this site have "UK" license, this site have another jurisdiction license, and this is unlicensed site. That's all. We give information, player make they decision.

That's not all. Honest information also includes information about websites not paying players or giving them a very hard time to cash out their prize money. I would not send players to such a place, but I do agree that if all the information is there and a player decides to play willing and knowing at a casino that doesn't pay, it's the choice of the player. However, at many websites this scam casinos are presented as legit, trustable, etc.

I think for a big part UKGC behaviour is also provoked by the behaviour of licensed brands. Many of them are having misleading or unfair terms. Basically, that's where it started. "Attractive" bonus offers, very agressive presented and with a bunch of impossible, unclear and unfair terms.

If UKGC policy resulte that many unlicensed operators will come to UK market - we must give information about that.

Have are look to sportsbetting market. Some unlicensed asian sportsbooks have impeccable reputation between players. And give to players the best service. Why we must hide this information?

There's no reason to hide correct information.

UKGC play they own games behind the scene. This is the same as many affiliates too worry about fake software. But the truth is, that some times original and fake software operators have very good cooperation. Fake software owners pay "unofficial undertable fee" for original software owners. And the last don't take any legal action against them.

Internet is the most approximate model for the free market. If UKGC so stupid, that they think that they may reguate this, i don't have words. China and Russia, have very strong internet censorhip. And illegal black gambling market grow every year.

That is quite a statement that there's cooperation between Netent and pirated software providers and that public listed company NetEnt receives "black money" for that. I feel this statements need a bit of evidence.

If UKGC think that they may take control to all world outside UK, this is very strange.

They don't think that. The thing is that UK is such a big market that it automatically has impact on other markets.

UKGC must lobby to decrease taxes and make gambling more attractive. This is the one and only way to protect UK-based operators and UK-based affiliates. Otherwise black gambling market will destroy it.

Gambling tax is not extremely high in the UK. The problem in my opinion is even that they've handed out way too much licenses. Too many white labels are on the UK market with too many crappy, under-funded casinos. I think they realize this and are trying to get some out of the market without blaming theirselves for handing out too many licenses.

All those Progressplay, Jumpman, Aspire Global and Nektan white labels... Many non-licensed brands indeed perform better.

 

[Moonlight Cat]

I feel this statements need a bit of evidence.

I hear about another large software providers. Of Course i don't have any evidence from legal point of view. I share this information only here, between friends on AGD Forum. Without any names. Any person can draw their own conclusions. ))

p.s. For example, i created software "MoonlightcatTech". If somebody create fake "MoonlightcatTech" they don't brouke law until i take any legal action. If i am as owner don't take any legal action, the law is not violated.

They may pay me for consulting. And I don't must to take any legal action. I may take legal action, but not must. Sorry for my poor English, i hope you unerstand what i mean. This connection is very difficult to prove.

This is not my fantasy. I heard about this schemes several times from different sources. You may believe me or not, but i don't have reason to lie.

 

[Biti]

It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that it's quite a statement. If true, it could have serious consequences for providers like NetEnt.

From regulated market perspective the fake version breaks the law, as it's not allowed to offer online gambling without license.

But I do agree that it's somehow strange this fake version keep on coming up. Providers should be more effective in fighting this. Or they have some dog in the fight or they don't care.

 

[AussieDave]

UKGC with they stupid policy will get what they want. Big unregulated black online gambling market.

Before the Australian IGA came into force (August 2017), I never, ever received sms spam. Now, well... Jut about every damn day I'm hit with casino spam to my mobile. Of course these are not casinos where legit players receive their winnings etc. No... These are an assortment of known rogues and clip joints.

Worse, I can't even 'block' this spam, cause these scum bags are sending it via an sms program that hides the sending number, and replaces it with a name. Obviously my number has been sold etc, cause these just aren't random txt messages. Either way, this is what happens when"stupid policy" breaches plain common sense.

 

[TheGooner]

Check the Google play store for "spam blockers".
Some good tools there for android users.