# British Gambler > The Best Online Gambling Sites & Casinos in the UK ### New Safety Measures Rolled Out by UK Gambling Commission In a move to boost player safety and promote responsible gambling, the UK Gambling Commission has introduced a series of new regulations in line with recent government reforms. Key changes include reducing game intensity to limit player spending, introducing user-controlled marketing opt-outs, and enhancing age verification measures in both online and land-based venues. Additionally, financial vulnerability checks have been added, ensuring players showing signs of financial risk are identified early. The government’s "High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age" paper laid the foundation for these changes, pushing for a safer gaming environment. Many online casinos and sportsbooks, including top names like Paddy Power and Betfair, are already implementing these updates. While some players may initially find these regulations limiting, the changes aim to protect consumers and maintain a healthy, sustainable industry. UK players can now enjoy their favourite real money online games with greater peace of mind, knowing that these additional safeguards are in place. ### UK Gambling Tax Changes Stir Industry Concerns The UK gambling industry is bracing itself for potential tax increases that could impact both online casino operators and players. A recent proposal by the Labour Party suggests doubling the tax rate on gaming from 21% to 42% by the end of the decade. This tax rise aims to tackle national budget deficits, yet industry experts argue it could negatively affect the sector, which currently employs over 100,000 people across the UK. While higher taxes may support public funding, gambling companies are concerned that it could lead to fewer investments in the sector and limit bonuses, promotions, and new game releases. Despite these potential hurdles, some believe the industry will adapt, with major operators such as Bet365 and William Hill already preparing strategies to adjust to this new reality. For now, players can expect to see changes over time, but popular events, including the NFL season and Cheltenham Festival, are still expected to draw significant activity and revenue, helping the industry remain resilient amidst change. ### UK Gambling Industry Flourishing But Stricter Regulation On its Way 2024 has been another good year for the UK gambling industry. Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) has again been on the increase but there remains the possibility of stricter regulation in the future but when? Statistics released by the UK Gambling Commission for the period April to June 2024 revealed a GGY of £1.46 billion. That’s 12% higher than the same period in 2023. There was also an increase in the number of total bets and/or spins with 24.5 billion being recorded. The average number of monthly active accounts also saw a 9% increase from last year. More good news for the UK gambling industry has come from Entain. Their online net gaming revenue (NGR) has been higher than expected in the second quarter of the new financial year.  The first quarter of the new financial year had seen a 6% rise in total group NGR. Euro 2024 helped boost figures. Online NGR in the UK and Irish markets have seen them back in a year-on-year growth position sooner than they thought would take place. This has been achieved through improved volumes and markets. It’s not just their results in the UK that are pleasing new CEO Gavin Isaacs. Many UK gambling companies have been busy expanding their presence in other markets, particularly the USA.  Entain has a joint venture with BetMGM (who launched in the UK last year among other new casinno sites) in America and that has been boosting their figures. The new NFL season is now underway and new features have been introduced that will hopefully see even more revenue earned. This could have been the year in which stricter regulation was imposed on the UK’s gambling industry. Last year saw a White Paper on gambling reform published and the online sector of the industry was going to be targeted. Plans were announced to reduce the maximum stakes for online slot games. While that would protect gamblers, such a measure would inevitably see revenue figures for gambling companies being reduced. Then came the UK General Election and the return of Labour to power. They agreed with most of the content of the White Paper in areas such as stricter affordability checks but little has happened since they took over in Downing Street. There is already pressure on Labour to take action against the number of gambling-related advertisements seen during English Premier League matches. If that does happen, life for UK gambling companies will become increasingly difficult. Yet more discussions are being held with members of the gambling industry before policy statements are released. This means more delays including those new stake limits for online slots and possible impact on the new player bonuses. This simply causes uncertainty in the industry and fears that 2025 will be the year when the new regulatory measures are finally introduced. ### Will UK Market Uncertainty See More Overseas Companies Leave? Just what does the future hold for the UK gambling industry? After a change in government there is uncertainty over how Labour will regulate the market. October has already seen DraftKings announce their departure from the UK market, will others follow? Just as many UK gambling companies look to expand their business in other territories, there have been several overseas gambling businesses heading to the UK such as BetMGM and Betano. It was on October 4 that the daily fantasy offering from DraftKings in the UK closed. The reason given for this decision was an attempt by the company to “optimize its business.” Achieving a good share of the market is a difficult task with a high level of competition being faced. DraftKings will now focus on growing their business in other key markets. This will include the US sports betting market. They have enjoyed tremendous success in their home market both in fantasy sports and in recent years actual sports betting.  This year has seen a change of government in the UK. Labour have taken power and they do intend to reform the UK gambling industry. Just what they have in mind is not fully known. With that being so, it has left the market unsure of the future. More overseas companies may decide to leave if they believe stricter regulation is on its way in the UK. Talk of reforming the UK gambling industry is nothing new. The previous Conservative government declared their intention to do so five years ago. Little has happened though but a White Paper was published last year that set out some measures. These included stricter regulation for the online sector including tougher affordability checks. Much reduced maximum stake levels for slot games had been due to be introduced this autumn but has been delayed due to the changes in Downing Street. If they were to be introduced, they would hit the profits of online casinos so you can see why some may contemplate leaving the UK market.  Campaigners are also calling for a statutory levy to be imposed on gambling companies. There are also calls for tighter regulation of how gambling is advertised in the UK. The fear is that if stricter regulation is introduced, customers may desert licensed companies and instead gamble on the black market. Again, profits would be hit if this was to happen and this could see more overseas companies decide it’s time to leave the UK market. ### Metric Gaming Inks a New Deal Further Focusing on Compliance in UK Market  Metric Gaming has joined forces with BetComply in a partnership that focuses on regulatory and technical compliance. Navigating a complex regulatory landscape such as the UK is not easy, and BetComply will provide the necessary aid to tackle any issues and accelerate market entry.  As a B2B software provider, Metric Gaming will rely on the vast experience of its new compliance partner in this area, given that BetComply has been involved in various regulatory deals.  What Does It Mean? With the help of BetComply, the London-based provider will centre its attention on identifying new opportunities while receiving the necessary support for further expansion into regulated markets.  The software provider has recently expanded its presence in the UK online casino field, and BetComply offered its expertise to secure compliance with the rules and standards imposed by the UKGC. As the UK is known as one of the most stringent jurisdictions, ensuring compliance is vital in executing the plans, which include the launch of a new racing platform and a football product.  Dan Banham, COO at Metric Gaming, stated that as they expanded their footprint, they won a hard-earned reputation as the preferred sportsbook in highly-regulated markets, like the UK.   "We wanted a compliance partner that understands the intricacies of these and other complex markets,” concluded Banham adding that their reputation reflected how seriously they took compliance with regulation.  In 2023, Metric Gaming joined the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA). It gathers almost 50 companies and more than 125 sports betting brands that promote integrity within the industry.  The partnership with BetComply follows Metro Gaming's recent partnership with BetZone, another up-and-coming name in the thriving UK online gambling market.  Play at BetZone with Offers for New and Existing Customers  Despite being a new betting site, BetZone has plenty to offer to UK players.   New customers can enjoy up to £60 worth of sports bets and free spins. The deal consists of 3 parts. The first includes £10 worth of free sports bets, received after the initial 5 bets are settled. Bettors should keep in mind their wagers must be £10 or more, at odds of 2.0 or greater. There's no time to waste, as the initial bets must be made within 48 hours.  The second and third parts of the welcome offer are split into 3 tiers, with the top one offering up to £50 in free bets for sports betting and 50 free spins for casino players.  Existing customers can look forward to the benefits within the BetZone Reward Zone. It features regularly updated bonuses and promotions whose goal is to reward the players' loyalty.  Visit BetZone to learn more about its offerings or explore other available to UK casino players bonuses and promotions.  ### Alan Smith: Fernandes is the Worthy Manchester United Captain Former United star Alan Smith heaps praise on the United Bruno Fernandes, and how he wants more from his players Following United’s 3-0 win over West Ham, BritishGambler.co.uk spoke with former United legend Alan Smith, who gave his thoughts on the current United crop, including why Højlund has all the attributes to become a great United no.9 and only expects him to get better and better with his confidence growing. Smith, passionate on the pitch himself, stated that Martinez’s passion on the pitch is all that fans want to see and described the World Cup winner as a real winner within the United ranks, and someone who would ‘run through a brick wall for you’. Whilst calling Martinez a leader, he believes that Fernandes is the only player worthy of the United captaincy and whilst people think he waves his arms, all he wants is more from his teammates. Smith also spoke of former MK Dons teammate Dele Alli, comparing him in his prime to having the ability of Jude Bellingham today, and still has high hopes of Dele getting back to his former glory when he was the first name on the England team-sheet. Explore BritishGambler's pages about online sites for casino games, promo offers, casino apps, and bonus codes. On Højlund developing into a ‘Great No 9’ for United I think Højlund is going to get better and better. It’s difficult for him to lead the line and play as a single striker on his own at the minute, but he will develop into a great number 9 for United. Just having a little bit of time will help him. The team obviously hasn’t hit the ground running and it was a difficult period when he came in, but I think he’s starting to get the rewards and scoring the goal has helped him. I just feel that he has all the attributes to be a really good centre forward; he’s quick, he holds the ball up well – there’s a lot of positives for him but it hasn’t been easy, because the team hasn’t been playing as well as possible, but there have been sparks where you have seen the quality that he’s got. The more confidence he gets, the better he will become. Fernandes is the one player worthy of being United’s Captain Fernandes will always take the ball in difficult situations, and yet people look at him as he’s not a captain in a certain way, he moans at people a lot – in his situation, he’s probably just as frustrated as anybody else, and wants the team to do better and push on. He always wants to take the ball and that shows a certain type of person. When you look around the dressing room for who is going to play, he’s fit for nearly every single game. He drives the team forward. He might get frustrated and annoyed, but he probably just wants more for the team, and he’s trying to do so much that this is what happens. He gets frustrated in certain situations but when you look round, he is the one player who should be captain. Martinez is a ‘Real Winner’ You look at the personnel – I think having Martinez coming back is great, because he looks like a real winner and a leader in the dressing room. The signing of players personality-wise was something that Sir Alex looked at in depth, in terms of their character, not just their ability – ability can be measured in many different ways. To play for Man United, the scrutiny is still there, regardless of them not winning the Premier League for however many years. It’s still probably the biggest scrutiny in football. Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona – they’re probably the three that get scrutinised the most. It takes a certain type of person to embrace that. Fans are crying out for Martinez’s visible passion Martinez carries that intensity and that determination – it might not be different to anybody else, but visually he always looks like the type of player that would run through a brick wall for you. He’s the type of player that a fan can relate to and that’s what it takes to have a good connection. When you play, all the fans want to see is you doing what they would do in terms of effort and commitment. If they seeing you doing everything possible, you might not be good enough or struggle at times, they’ll forgive you – and that is all Man United fans want to see. On standards dropping due to turnover of players I like listening to Gary and Roy on The Overlap, and Jaap Stam was on there speaking about when he first went to Man United. The lads in that dressing room had all grown together, so it was a very close-knit community of people and big characters. Keane was a huge character, but so were Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville in a completely different way. I’m sure before that Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce and the likes, so you had a history of people learning the standards from the predecessors of what playing for Man United is. Maintaining the standards of the club when you’ve got such a vast turnover of players is quite difficult to do. There’s no commitment, and the desire and hunger and the pride of playing for any professional club should be a given for any player. I’ve got no doubt that every player tries their best every time they play, but the shirt is heavy at times. That Man United shirt can be heavy if it’s not going well. And it takes a certain type of character to make sure that everyone embraces that challenge and having teammates that are going to embrace that challenge with you. United used have the biggest personalities When I signed for Sir Alex in the summer of 2004, he said that he had been watching me for four years from when I first started playing, just to see what I was like, my personality, how I dealt with adversity, how loyal you are to your team. All these traits that I feel every Man United player used to have to have. To play for the biggest club, you have to have the biggest personalities. You need an inner strength of character for when times get tough, that you’ll be consistent and reliable, day-in day-out in training 350 days a year. You have to have the desire, passion and hunger to go in there and give everyone a lift every day. You need strong people that are good in the dressing room. People were happy to play one game every four weeks, and when they came into the team, it wasn’t like they hadn’t been playing, it was an amazing thing. It’s difficult to replicate that. People care about too much about style over points There’s scrutiny over the performance rather than the results because of how much media is involved in the game, and it was never like that. No-one used to remember how well you played, just how many points you got and if you won a trophy at the end of the season. No-one cared. Man City’s worst performance of last season was the Champions League final, but no one cared and that’s what I’d relate back to – you want to win and in a certain way, but I’ve never come away thinking ‘that was amazing, we lost today’, regardless how well you’ve played. There’s a stigma now that everyone must play like Guardiola, but for me there’s no reason for that to be the scenario or an actual remit for any club. For any club and any fans to enjoy it, you’ve got to be winning. On hoping Dele gets back to the Bellingham-levels of his early playing days You hope that any player can get back when they have had those kinds of struggles. When we were at MK Dons, we were all aware of his background and situation – not the mental health – but the understanding of dynamic with his parents that Karl Robinson and myself were always aware of. He lived with a great family at MK Dons who looked after him so well. It’s always difficult when someone gets to a certain age and he left to go to Tottenham and you can’t stay under the guidance of someone so long when you become an adult – we speak about it at the school, whether that’s a little bit younger here when they can start to drive and they have their own freedom, and they start to make their own choices on do they want to go to college and play or do they want to be a professional. At MK we were such a small-knit community that we could look after him as much as possible as everything was structured, and we knew everything that was going on. As soon as he went to Tottenham he moved in on his own and he became an adult, and it becomes your own choices and your own decisions. I think everyone involved in football always hates to see anyone struggling from a mental health aspect, when they’re not enjoying the game or want to give up on the game that he’s naturally so good at. Everybody will have the best wishes for him, and we all want to see him back playing and back to where he was previously when he was probably a regular and a first name on the team-sheet for England. You look at Jude Bellingham now, and it was very similar to what Dele was capable of, so everyone has nothing but the best wishes for Dele going forward. Place your bets on Premier League games with the best free bets by UK bookies, and betting apps. Want to play real money games? Check out our UK online casinos, top slots, explore new casino sites. ### Alan Smith Exclusive: Newcastle should sign Leao, Man U should sign Characters  Former Leeds, Newcastle and Man U legend Alan Smith talks through the transfer window, and why Man U need to take caution with the approach for Palace’s Olise  With the January Transfer Window in full flow, BritishGambler sat down with Alan Smith to talk through his current assessment of his former teams. Smith urged United to approach the transfer window with caution, and to not repeat the same mistake of signing Zaha when looking at Olise.   Smith went on to talk about Rafael Leao being a great potential signing for Newcastle, and that he could follow Ginola and Lauren Robert in their history of flying wingers, and would be a firm fan favourite on Tyneside.  Smith also revealed that he turned down Sir Alex Ferguson in the January transfer window 20 years ago, and that he presumed his Man U career was dead in the water before it had even begun, but that it was his commitment and desire to try and keep Leeds up that saw him get a move to Old Trafford that summer.  View BritishGambler's pages about gambling sites, bonuses, mobile casinos, and exclusive claim codes. On United v Newport  They were on a hiding to nothing really. They started brightly and then it seems to be a little bit of a trend unfortunately over longer than just this season, where they seem to go back into easy mode where it looks as though the job is done, and then a goal out of nowhere with the deflection, and it becomes a difficult tie based on Newport have nothing to lose.  When people look at it, it looks as though it should be a forgone conclusion a tie like that but having played in those games, they’re a lot more difficult to play in than on paper. The big thing was just to get out of there with a victory. I’m sure there will be scrutiny on the performance and everything else but at the end of the day, they won the game.  On Ferguson’s January approach to sign him, 20 years ago  It was very simple and straightforward realistically. They came in for me in the January transfer window when I was at Leeds and we were bottom of the league. I spoke to representative and said that I can’t leave Leeds halfway through a season because I want to try and keep Leeds up and whatever happens from there, happens.  They went on to sign Louis Saha from Fulham, so I thought it was any chance of him signing me in future was dead in the water. But I knew I had to stay in the January, because of the situation that Leeds were in. Then in the summer, it transpired that Diego Forlan was leaving to go to Villareal, so they re-approached, and I think that one of the main reasons Fergie wanted to sign me was because I wanted to stay at Leeds even if it meant that move might not happen. It was a loyalty to my team that were bottom that I wanted to try to keep in the Premier League.  United shouldn’t bring in Michael Olise  I feel like I wouldn’t be rushing into anything at this moment in time. That’s where United have been over the last few years with their recruitment policy. This again might be ‘are we jumping in because we need something?’   For Man United not to get Champions League this year, everyone will see as a big problem, but if you’re gonna rebuild, make sure that the structure is correct and you’re buying the correct personnel. We aren’t just buying someone for this transfer window, we are buying them for five years.  It might sound like we are giving up this season, but we can’t just keep throwing money at it and see if it works, and that has never been the Man United way.  On the comparison between signing Olise and Zaha  I think regardless of who they are, it needs to the right fit – do the characteristics fit. Are we going down the same route as the signing of Wilfried Zaha? There’s a huge difference between playing for Crystal Palace and Man United and sometimes if you’ve not done the research on the player’s personality, you’re taking a chance on anybody coming to Man United.  Have they played at a huge club? Have they played at a club that demands the same expectations as Man United? That’s where the short-term of going do we just sign someone because we need somebody, instead of signing someone for the future of the club.  Playing at a big club has to be the remit. Playing at a club with the same standards. Going back to my own understanding of it, I signed from Leeds United which was very similar – not had the recent success but the standards and expectations we had in the 90s were the standards and expectations set by the team in the 70s, the best team in Europe. That kind of standard of club and people you associate yourself with is what people look at.   I was brought up by Eddie Gray, and his son Stuart unfortunately passed away at the weekend – Eddie was probably the biggest influence on my career and the only reason that I signed for Man United was because of his relationship with Sir Alex and the connection through British football. He knew the standards of what Eddie would set, and it would meet the expectation of what United would set.  On Marcus Rashford’s situation  It’s disappointing if anything comes out that’s not football related. He’s one of the most talented players in the country and he was so good last year. For me, he should have built on that. He scored 25 goals last season, he should be scoring 30 goals this season, 35 goals next season. That’s how it should be, and how he should approach it. To score 25 goals and then go back to slacking off if that’s what he’s done and not turned up for training – not just Marcus Rashford, but any young player.  The mentality should be ‘how do I keep improving every year?’ and I didn’t experience anything like that when I was at Man United, because players would win trophies and would want to win another one the year after, and that is just the history of the club. It should be built into you as a person and part of your character.  On fans just want to hear that you work hard off the pitch and work hard on the pitch  Absolutely. I feel like that’s all any supporter wants, someone that works hard on and off the pitch. I feel like that’s why players like Paul Scholes don’t get the credit they deserve, because they were never in the limelight away from football, but that is unfortunately the world that we live in now. If you don’t have social media, people don’t see you as a great player because you’re not putting yourself out there, but for me the best players are the ones that play week-in week-out and don’t need anyone to speak about anything other than their football. As a manager, that’s what you’d want – players that just want to play football.  I must post on social media when it goes well or apologise when it doesn’t go too well – celebrating in a dressing room when they’ve won one game like it’s the World Cup. These types of things have crept into everywhere. If you were in charge of a club, banning social media full stop would be a good place to start.  Newcastle v Luton tomorrow night – Prediction  Absolutely. I think The Champions League has been a big thing for them this season and they’ve had a lot of injuries, as well as financial restraints with the FIFA fair play. I think Eddie Howe is still doing a great job and has a great relationship with the fans and hopefully they’ll get through that tricky spell and an pick up the three points. I will go 3-1 to Newcastle.  Luton aren’t an easy side to play against so full credit to them. They were probably the least expected team to stay up of the teams that came up, and they’ve given themselves a fighting chance going into February.  On Almiron to Saudi – and wanting to see him stay at Newcastle  Yeah, I saw Eddie Howe’s interview saying I wish the transfer window would shut now! He’s probably just hoping to not lose any of the players that he’s got because I’m sure he’s stretched any way because of the Champions League and now having injuries, so I’m sure it’s the worst time for a manger where you could lose one of your players, especially one that they’re desperate to keep hold of.  On Newcastle trying to sign Rafael Leao  I think there’s a certain type of player they like up in Newcastle like Ginola, Laurent Robert, this type of flying wingers, so I think he’d fit the bill for Newcastle fans, he’d certainly get them up on their feet. He’s very physical and quick and he’d certainly fit the bill for Newcastle, just whether they are able to get him which will be based around the financial implications of what’s going on there.   On Newcastle and Man U’s chances of Top 4  I think it will be difficult of either Man U or Newcastle to get Top Four given the positions that they’re in at the minute, but I also feel if they can get consistency of players and team, as both clubs have been missing big players, then I’m sure one of them might be thinking, or might make it. Both ownership groups will be thinking our teams need to be Champions League teams, even though both teams will be safe whether they make it or not, but from a fan point of view and with fair play, being in the Champions League will make a hell of a difference.  Bet on Premier League games with the best free bet bonuses, boosted odds deals and approved betting apps listed here. Want to play more? Check out our UK casino list and top slots. ### Jack Fincham Exclusive: I would love to go back on Love Island  Love Island winner Jack opens up on his happiness, his fight plan that could lead him into the ring with Tommy Fury and why he would love to go back into The Villa in summer  To kick off the New Year, BritishGambler sat down with the charming and witty Jack Fincham, off the back of the Love Island winner resetting himself for the year ahead in solitude at a Spa. With Love Island All Stars kicking off next week, Jack admitted that he needs to focus on himself and be selfish with his time, but that he would love to go back on Love Island come the summer, a place he considers the ultimate place to find love, and a place that brings out the best in himself.  A professional boxer, Jack has laid out the route that he wants to navigate by announcing his first fight against an influencer in May, before taking on the fight that he truly wants against Aaron Chalmers. Jack has said that the world is his oyster after that, but he would be willing to fight Tommy Fury, who he knows previously passed on a fight with him, and that Tommy is not unbeatable by any stretch of the imagination.  Jack Fincham - Love Island. Photo: instagram.com/jack_charlesf I know that you have a fight lined up for May – are you allowed to say who it is against?  There have been a few options from speaking to my boxing manager. I’ve been out for over a year now, so this is gonna be my comeback fight. I’m gearing up for Aaron Chalmers at some point in the year, so this one is to shake the rust off, although you don’t take any fight lightly.  There have been two or three options thrown at me and I’ll be honest that they are influencers, so I will beat them. In my eyes, they’re there to be beaten. Obviously, they will put up a fight, but it looks like it will be an influencer.  There is no one set in stone, but I spoke to him today and the fight is 100% happening in May. I’m back with my old trainer, getting my nut down and getting on with it.  Speaking of influencers, I know there are some more famous ones in the world of boxing – how would you like to line up against KSI in the ring?  I’m just gonna say this honestly, because while in the boxing world he has transformed over to being professional, I have a lot more experience than KSI, and going off his last performance and watching how Tommy dealt with that – I’ve got more experience than him as well from doing amateur fights as well – but I watched it and would have dealt with it so differently and would have beaten him clearly. It’s questionable if Tommy even won that to be honest…  Would you have been embarrassed if that even went to the 2nd round if you were in the ring?  I reckon I would have beaten him inside 3 rounds without a doubt. I want this to be known that I’m not talking about KSI because he’s the big card, I’d fight him for nothing to prove a point. When I am fit and in shape, I will fight him for absolutely nothing just to prove the point that I’m good enough to be in the mix with those names.  I’ve said this load of times and I’ve been doing it such a long time, the only thing that has ever let me down is not committing enough to training and cutting corners in training; losing too much in the weight cut, still sneaking out for a drink a couple of weeks before which I did on my last fight. If I get my head down and just train properly, and I’ve trained and sparred with people that would beat them hands down at British Level. I’m not saying this to out it out there for loads of money; I’ll fight him for nothing. I will fight him for free to prove the point.  You mentioned Tommy Fury there – does that make him the second-best boxer to come out of Love Island then?  Tommy’s third. I’d say for me the first is probably Idris Virgo for boxers that have been on Love Island. Idris first, me second and Tommy third. That’s just be being honest and nothing against Tommy because I like him as a person, but boxing-wise, he’s good but he’s not out of this world. He’s just got a massive following; he’s a Fury at the end of the day!  He can box, he’s a good fighter, he’s strong, he’s in good shape, he dedicates himself but put it this way – he’s not unbeatable. He’s not unbeatable by any stretch of the imagination.   I imagine you have a lot of respect for Tyson Fury and the way he has overcome his struggles?  I look up to Tyson massively. I was on stage with him a few years ago as he was doing a talk – he probably won’t remember me, but I have a photo of is somewhere! But he’s a hero of mine, especially the way he talks openly about mental health.  I watched his documentary the day it came out, At Home with The Furys. I love him. I watch his videos for inspiration, and he’s someone that I would go out of my way to watch videos of to make me feel better about myself and to help me through stuff, he’s that much of an influence on me without a doubt.  The way he has come back, I guess that’s exactly how you’re viewing boxing now too?  I’m using boxing to get myself in shape both mentally and physically. I’ve listened to some of his interviews where he said he was using drink and drugs, and the fact that he has overcome it, then why can’t I make something of myself in boxing as well? I think he’s brilliant.  Your fight with Anthony Taylor was at the end of 2022. Do you feel like you’ve improved a lot as a boxer since then?  Yeah, and so has he to be fair. I learned a lot about myself. That for me, I’ve got to box on a World level stage at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai with Mayweather in the same arena. You don’t just get in there with someone that lives the life and is fit as a fiddle, who has had five professional boxing fights before me. To go in there and get to do it. On paper he won. If it was me with an influencer or a KSI that night, it would have been a different story, I would have beaten any of them.  What is your fight plan moving forward?  I won’t say dream fight, but because it’s been spoken about so much and he’s f*cking good and I’d earn a lot of respect by beating him, I need – not want – to fight Aaron Chalmers. He stepped in for me a couple of months ago and beat the guy. I need to get one fight under my belt, and then that’s the only person that I want to fight. It has to happen. He’s a professional fighter just as Anthony Taylor was, and that’s why I’m so confident, because they’ve got the same background and I’m not just some influencer with a six-pack, but a proper fighter.  Going back to Tommy, he seems to have fought some very average boxers, and if he wanted to take himself more seriously as a boxer, would he fight the calibre of people that you’re wanting to fight?  Tommy said a couple of things that didn’t sit right with me. He was saying that ‘these are good fighters’, basically acting as if he brings so much to the table – he brings views to the table, but he’s just protecting his record a little bit. I’m guessing the KSI fight he just couldn’t turn down, but I know for a fact that he has been offered people and said no. I know that on the card I fought Anthony Taylor and he was meant to be fighting someone and his opponent pulled out and he got a replacement, he got offered me and he said no to fighting me.  I was told it, not that long ago. I guess he just wanted an easy night. When the Paul Bamber fight fell through in Dubai last year, he was offered me, I’m sure he was offered Aaron Chalmers. The person they got in – the guy knew what he was there to do.  I don’t judge anyone for that. Me and him have been mentioned in the same conversations on more than one occasion. I’m not stupid, if we were to fight right now, he’d bash me to pieces but in 2-3 fights time, you’ll watch the fight and it will make a lot of sense.  Jack Fincham - Love Island. Photo: instagram.com/jack_charlesf Is that the plan for you then? Do the fight later in May, then fight Aaron before taking on Tommy?  Have the one in May, put on a big performance, then Aaron Chalmers I’d like to fight around September and then the world is my oyster with any of those people. You won’t be able to ignore it. It’s not me fighting people like that simple Simon, Ed Matthews – they’re wicked at what they do, but at the end of the day they are influencers. I’ve got respect for anyone that walks between the ropes though as it’s a big deal, no matter what level you’re at. But there are levels at the same time.  But if I was to go and box Aaron this year, I’m not going backwards. I’ll be getting better people, and the names will get bigger and bigger.  You’re in a very positive headspace, and think your boxing talk is a reflection of how you’re doing in wider life, and you should credit yourself for the amount of work you’ve done on yourself. You’ve done so much to turn your life around in a short space of time. What have been the keys over the last months to get into a really good headspace?  Getting out of a victim mentality. All the stuff that I used to whinge about – I didn’t get that TV show, the papers are writing this stuff about me. You know what Jack? It’s your fault. If you hadn’t have done these things, you wouldn’t have to moan or worry about not getting these TV shows. It’s my own fault, so I’ve got out of that victim mentality.  Everyone knows I don’t have a license anymore, so I’m riding my bike to the gym every day at 7 o’clock, and it’s humbling. I don’t take anything for granted anymore. I spent the last 5 years taking everything for granted and it was the downfall of me.   I watched a Mike Tyson documentary where he said that it’s beautiful being at the bottom, because I can only go one way and that upwards. There are no expectations other than the ones I set for myself. I’m going to be fit and rich and doing all of the things that I wanted to do, I’m going to beat the people I said I’m going to beat, so no one can have anything but respect for me. I’m not putting myself in the position to make mistakes anymore, because I don’t have room for mistakes anymore. This year has to be the year, and it will be the year.   I saw you were at a Spa for the New Year, which speaks volumes of the transitions you have made!  Normally, I would have been drinking from Christmas through to New Year, felt terrible all New Year’s Day, and I thought I would take myself away to a Spa on my own. I had dinner with a friend, I was in the gym, I trained, I was in the steam and doing cold therapy in the morning rather than being in the pub and replacing it with healthier habits!  You went on Love Island looking for love and I know that is still the goal for you, but I feel as though you’re at a point where the main thing is to focus on yourself?  My main priority is that I have to be a bit selfish this year. I used to care constantly what other people thought of me, and I think being in the public eye for so long makes that happen, but I’m in the public eye and that’s not gonna change, so it’s part and parcel of it. The only thing I can control, and when I’m having a positive mental day, is that I can’t control what other people say, think or do, but I can only control how I react when those things happen. Rather than get caught up with things or panic about it, take a breather and don’t dwell on it. Getting over the victim mentality is the best thing I’ve ever done.  Once you’ve had time to focus on yourself, come summer would you go back into the Love Island villa?  I would love to go back on Love Island! It’s the ultimate place to meet someone, and I fell in love on there! It really is. I know some couples split up but just look at the amount of people that are still together after the show, there’s a few that are married. It creates the perfect environment, so I’d love to have the opportunity to go back in there. And I’d be brilliant!  What was the single best thing about Love Island?  It’s just perfect in how much you learn about yourself – you’re just your raw self. It’s not a mask of being with your mates, you’ve had a few drinks and go out to the club. Normally I wouldn’t have gone up to a girl on the street and go on a breakfast date, so you really do find out about yourself. You find both your strengths and weaknesses because it’s just your true self. It’s just you, no phone, no outside world distraction, no alcohol involved. Just your whole personality and if someone opposite you likes you for you, and the same for friends you make on the show that have met the real you, not met you on a night out, through a mate, through Instagram – they know you for your truest form. The best thing if finding the person you truly are.  Do you think if you went back on again, people would see the same version of the fun, big-hearted and caring Jack Fincham, and that he is a good guy?  Without a shadow of a doubt. If I was back in there, or any show that is filmed when you’re just there, you being you, that’s the real person. Exactly the same Jack Fincham you saw five years ago.  How important has Chloe Brockett been to you as a mate over the last months?  Chloe is very, very important to me. I love Chloe man. I’ve never really had a girl mate like that before, who completely gets me and I can tell them anything. She’s really important. I’m very much a mummy’s boy so I’m always better at talking to girls than boys to be honest!  You recently said that you were the happiest you had been by going back to selling pens. How has it been going?  I am flying! I’m so happy to be back selling pens again, cold calling, meeting my clients and putting a suit on – it does make me happy! I’m really happy and love having a purpose, and getting up with something to do, not sitting around waiting for the phone to ring and it’s so much more rewarding.  I’ve done a good few deals, and one big client that I dealt with years ago who I first met when I was 21. They’re a big film production company and all the celebrities that go through their doors I’ve actually met, versus when I was 21. It’s cool and I’ve got some big clients on board, and I’m only going to be getting more as time goes on.  Pen Salesman Of The Year award for you this year?  Without a doubt. You’re gonna see Stationary Salesman Of The Year – Gold award goes to: Jack Charlie Fincham.  Want to bet on sports? Discover the best UK bookies and the free bet deals they offer. If you're into gaming, check out our selection of the newest casino sites to try, or browse the top mobile apps for real money gambling. Here is a list of the latest bonus codes and top slots with high RTP. ### Ranked: Football Fans Who Drink the Most (2023) Whether you’re a Premier League fan or an NFL fan, football and alcohol go hand-in-hand.  Depending on the team’s performance, some fans will raise a glass in celebration, while others seek solace at the bottom of one.  But the real question on everyone’s lips is: which fan bases consume the most alcohol?  British Gambler conducted surveys among both American NFL fans as well as UK-based Premier League fans to determine the drinking habits of fans in both countries.  Our survey asked American NFL fans and Premier League fans how often they reach for a cold one while watching their team or club play, as well as how much they spend on alcohol while watching a televised game or match. Additionally, fans were asked to name the players, managers and coaches with whom they would like to share a round of drinks.  Highlights The top five NFL fan bases who drink the most: Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints The top five Premier League fan bases who drink the most: Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur UK-based Premier League fans ranked Bruno Fernandes as their top preference for a drinking partner. In the US, NFL fans ranked MVP Patrick Mahomes as the top QB they’d like to have a drink with. Which NFL Fans Drink the Most Alcohol? 1. Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills’ fans are notorious for their pregame tailgating antics, so it’s really no surprise that the “Bills Mafia” grabs the top spot for NFL fans who drink the most. On average, Bills’ fans say they drink 3.3 drinks per game. Buffalo fans were also ranked No. 2 for fan bases most likely to “pregame.”    2. Cincinnati Bengals Fans of the Bengals had plenty to celebrate last season after advancing to the AFC Championship game. Apparently, they reached for plenty of adult beverages to celebrate. Cincinnati fans drink roughly 3.2 alcohol drinks per game. Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow was ranked among the top five coaches that fans would want to drink with. 3. Dallas Cowboys “America’s Team” knows how to enjoy a few drinks. According to respondents, Dallas Cowboys fans rank No. 3 for fan bases who drink the most. They also rank No. 8 for fans who pregame the most. 4. Las Vegas Raiders Las Vegas Raiders fans are clearly embracing the “Sin City” reputation. Along with ranking No. 5 for fans most likely to pregame, Raiders fans also rank within the top five for fans who drink the most.  5. New Orleans Saints Considering the city throws one of the biggest annual parties in the country, it’s fitting that fans of the New Orleans Saints ranked within the top five fan bases who drink the most. On average, Saints fans say they consume about 3.2 drinks per game.  Which Premier League Fans Drink the Most Alcohol?  1. Manchester United  As they head into their 49th consecutive season in the top of English football, Manchester United fans are not holding back when it comes to raising a glass in celebration. According to survey respondents, United fans consume an average of 4.2 drinks while engrossed in a match, placing them firmly in the No. 1 position for Premier League fans who drink the most. Premier League fans collectively acclaimed club captain Bruno Fernandes as the most fun captain to share a libation with. 2. Arsenal Not only were club captain Martin Ødegaard and manager Mike Arteta ranked the most preferred captains and managers to have a drink with, but Arsenal fans also ranked within the top five for fan bases who consume the most alcohol.  3. Liverpool In North West England, we find the 3rd most prolific drinkers in the Premier League - Liverpool fans. On average, Liverpool fans consume 3.6 alcoholic drinks per game. Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp takes the No. 1 spot for managers that fans would want to drink with. 4. Chelsea Celebrated for their spirited songs, chants, and passionate support of the team, Chelsea fans have another attribute to their name: a penchant for raising a pint or two. According to respondents, Chelsea fans consume an average of 3.6 alcoholic drinks per match.  5. Tottenham Hotspur Completing the list of top five fan bases who drink the most alcohol is none other than Tottenham Hotspur. With one of the largest fan bases in England, this London club consumes an average of 3.6 drinks per game.  It’s clear that both American NFL fans and UK-based Premier League fans are passionate about their teams. However, when it comes to raising a glass, Premier League fans feel much more confident that they outdrink NFL fans. In fact, 82% of UK respondents said they feel Premier League fans drink more than NFL fans.  Meanwhile, Americans are split on the question, with 50% saying that NFL fans drink more than their friends across the pond.  Regardless of who drinks the most, both fan bases have a long season ahead of themselves, which will bring plenty of opportunities to raise a glass or two.  Methodology In August 2023, we conducted surveys among two groups: 1,200 Americans who regularly watch the NFL and 1,200 UK-based football fans who regularly watch the Premier League. Among American respondents, the average age was 41. The breakdown of gender distribution was as follows: 69% male, 30% female and 1% were non-binary. For UK respondents, the average age was 41. The gender distribution was as follows: 58% male, 41% female and 1% were non-binary. Fair Use When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing www.britishgambler.co.uk, an online casino, bonuses, and UK betting offers site. ### Affordability Checks for Online Gambling Losses From £125 Explained The UK government's recently published "High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age" White Paper aims to address the challenges of online gambling and promote customer safety.  One significant measure proposed in the paper is the introduction of affordability checks for online gambling operators, such as Betfair, Betfred, Ladbrokes, bet365, William Hill, Paddy Power and all others. These checks are intended to enhance player protection and prevent individuals from experiencing gambling-related harm. In this article, we will explore how affordability checks will work, what to expect from the customer's perspective and operators, and whether they will deter casual gamblers from sharing sensitive information. Why is it needed? As the popularity of online gambling has grown, so have concerns about the potential risks associated with it. The White Paper acknowledges that while online gambling websites can offer safer environments for vulnerable users compared to in-person venues, there is still room for improvement. The proposed affordability checks aim to address the following key risks identified by the Gambling Commission: binge gambling, significant unaffordable losses over time, and financial vulnerability. Affordability Checks Explained We at BritishGambler.co.uk will try to explain and help you understand what affordability checks mean for you and UK casinos like Grosvenorcasinos and betting sites such as 10bet in real life. So, The White Paper outlines the proposed thresholds for affordability checks. At a moderate loss threshold of £125 net loss within a rolling month or £500 net loss within a rolling year, betting and casino operators licensed in the UK will be required to conduct a financial vulnerability check. This check will consider indicators such as County Court Judgements, average postcode affluence, and declared bankruptcies. These checks should be unintrusive and frictionless for the consumer, taking really only a few seconds to process. For gambling accounts with net losses exceeding £1,000 in a rolling 24-hour period (let's say you lost your deposit on online slots), enhanced spending checks will be triggered. These checks will provide much better insight into a customer's financial situation, including factors like discretionary income. The Commission is working with the financial services sector to explore the practical implementation of these checks, which may involve credit reference agencies. The goal is to ensure a customer's level of spend is not likely to be harmful to them. Sustained heavy losses over a period of weeks or months will also be subject to enhanced checks. The proposed threshold for these checks is £2,000 net loss within a rolling 90-day period. This will enable operators to assess the risk of harm and consider customers' source of wealth, especially if it poses additional risks like money laundering. By the way, the White Paper also proposed an online casino slot stakes to limited in a range from £2 to £15. What to do with the casino bonuses that are used to incentive new signups remains unclear from the regulatory perspective. Here is our list of the best sites for max £5 per stake per spin. Approximately 20% of accounts are expected to undergo the lighter checks Andrew Rhodes, the CEO of the Gambling Commission Update: In a recent blog post, Andrew Rhodes, the CEO of the Gambling Commission, outlined the potential financial checks that might be instituted following the UK Government's review of the Gambling Act, as documented in a recent white paper. These proposals, initially discussed in August, are undergoing a six-week consultation period extending into October. The checks are planned to occur at two levels: a "light touch" check for losses amounting to £125 within a month, and a more thorough assessment for losses of £1,000 within a day or £2,000 within 90 days. These assessments, which won't affect a user's credit score, aim to evaluate a player's financial vulnerability and would not grant gambling firms direct access to users' banking details. Approximately 20% of accounts are expected to undergo the lighter checks, while around 3% will face a full financial risk assessment. Notably, these checks would only apply to online gambling platforms and not to physical betting venues or racetracks. Rhodes stressed that these checks would only come into play during significantly unusual loss periods, taking into consideration the user's broader gambling history and other pertinent information. Customer Perspective and Operator Expectations From a customer perspective, affordability checks may be seen as a positive step towards ensuring responsible gambling practices. These checks are intended to protect individuals from financial harm and prevent excessive losses. For the majority of customers, the checks will have little impact on their gambling activities since they will only be triggered by specific loss thresholds. Operators, on the other hand, will face increased responsibilities and obligations to conduct affordability checks. The White Paper emphasizes the need for operators to take appropriate actions based on the outcomes of these checks. This may include applying limits to an account or, in severe cases, ending the customer relationship entirely. Operators will also need to ensure that Personal Management Licence holders are accountable for completing the checks at the right time and taking appropriate action based on the findings. Impact on Casual Gamblers and Private Data Affordability checks are primarily aimed at identifying individuals who may be at risk of harm due to their gambling habits. Casual gamblers who engage in responsible gambling practices and do not exhibit patterns of excessive spending are unlikely to be significantly affected by these things. The proposed thresholds for checks are reasonable and will mostly target accounts with higher levels of losses. Regarding private data, the White Paper emphasizes the importance of data minimization and protection. Operators will be expected to use the minimum necessary data to conduct affordability checks, and credit scores should not be impacted. The aim is to strike a balance between player protection and privacy concerns. Open banking and streamlined processes may be explored to minimize the collection of sensitive financial information directly from customers. The Role of the Gambling White Paper in Protecting Vulnerable Gamblers While affordability checks represent an important step towards protecting vulnerable gamblers, it is crucial to recognize that they are part of an ongoing evolution in regulatory policy. The UK gambling White Paper builds upon existing principles and regulations, aiming to ensure compliance and industry accountability. It is expected that the implementation of affordability checks will further improve player safety and reduce gambling-related harm. However, there are still challenges to address, such as customers potentially transferring their gambling activities to unregulated international websites to avoid checks. To tackle this, efforts are needed to encourage operators to share information and find non-intrusive ways to conduct affordability checks. The introduction of affordability checks in the UK gambling industry marks a significant step toward enhancing player protection and reducing the risks associated with online gambling. The White Paper's proposals outline reasonable thresholds and emphasize the importance of unintrusive and proportionate checks. While the checks may have a limited impact on casual gamblers, they serve as a crucial safeguard for vulnerable individuals. By formalizing and reinforcing existing industry practices, the White Paper aims to ensure compliance, promote responsible gambling, and protect the welfare of gamblers in the digital age. ### TOP Youtube Casino Slot Streamers With Biggest Wins & Followers Those players who grew up before the dawn of the internet might be a little slow to catch up on Casino Streaming, but, in a nut shell, millions of punters now spend hours watching other people play slots and Live Casino games online. It started around 2015, with Poker being the game of choice, but became supercharged during the pandemic years and has now developed into an entire eco-system that grows and feeds the online casino world. Simply by using a webcam and a microphone, “personalities” can live stream their play at one of the UK's top gambling sites to an online audience, who themselves can join in the fun with comments and tips.   Such is the popularity of the some of the online slot streamers, individual casinos often employ them or incentivise them to play selected games online. Contracts vary, but a common business model is a commission-based set-up, with streamers taking a percentage of the money spent by watching players who then go on to play the slots and table games from themselves, via affiliate links. Also, the advertising revenue grows as their audience grows, so the more views a streamer gets, the bigger the revenue.  Streamers need to be able to hold their audience by entertaining, as well as demonstrating the intricacies of the game they are playing; the most popular ones are “larger than life” and more than willing to show their emotions with every spin of the reels. Shrinking violets need not apply!  What is Casino Streaming?  Full online casino slot streaming posts can be anything up to six hours or more, but the average clipped highlights clip tends to be between 10-12 minutes. These will usually show any big wins that the streamer has enjoyed.  Casino streamers need a substantial audience to actually make some money, but the overheads in setting up are small, so no doubt more and more punters, players and entertainers will be drawn to this niche corner of the online casino world in the years ahead.  Where Can You Watch LIVE Casino Streams?  Social media platforms have proliferated in the last few years, with YouTube, Twitter and Instagram dominating. In the casino streaming world, all these established mediums have a role, but the majority of the action takes place on newer streaming channels, like Twitch and, increasingly, Kick. The advent of Crypto casinos, like Stake Casino and Roobet, has further fuelled the streaming surge, not least because they can offer much higher stake limits, thus increasing the viewing excitement.   The Top 5 Casino Streamers in the UK  StreamerPlatformSubscribers/FollowersBiggest WinCraig SlotsYouTube14,000+Not specifiedFruity SlotsYouTube40,000+£79,000 on Jammin’ JarsThe BanditYouTube86,000+£120,000 on Reel KingCasinoDaddyYouTube85,000+£86,000 on Pirates PubJimbo CasinoYouTube15,000+Not specified It should be noted that the US and Canada was really the birthplace for casino streaming and there are some active figures in North America with insane followings as per aGamble.com. Tyler Niknam, aka TrainWrecksTV, has 2.1 million followers on Twitch and 225,000 on YouTube. He regularly plays a range of slots or simply spends a few hours espousing on his philosophy-du-jour. His biggest recorded win was $22 million on the game Might of Ra. He is estimated to be worth at least $18 million, although some speculate that it is well in excess of that.  Another major figure in casino online slots streaming is Corinna Kopf, an attractive 28-year old blonde bombshell, worth in excess of $10 million. Again, she combines lifestyle chat with casino streaming and has over 900,000 subscribers on Twitch and 6.8 million on Instagram.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0dA4RLafi4 But let’s return our focus to the UK and the growing group of casino streaming heavyweights that populate YouTube, Twitch and Kick. As you can imagine, the list is a moveable feast, so here is just a selection of some current popular casino streamers.  1. Craig Slots With over 14,000 YouTube subscribers, his Sunday Slots Series regularly attracts over 15,000 views. He is well known for his potato avatar, perched in the corner, commenting on the action, rather than an actual face. A huge number of slots have featured on his channel, with Gonzita’s Quest, Reactoonz and Book of Dead regular favourites.  Some of the clips will highlight bad losses, as well as big wins, something that clearly makes him more relatable to punters.   2. Fruity Slots  This guy has over 40,000 subscribers on YouTube and has posted over 1,400 videos. In all, they have received over 29.5 million views. In actual fact, there are three streamers on this channel; Josh, Jamie and Scottie. They also compile lists of active casino bonuses, so their viewers know where to look for the best offers. They often have slot competitions between themselves as they live stream.  They cover a wide range of slots, from The Goonies to Sticky Bees. The biggest win, streamed live recently, was £79,000 on the slot Jammin’ Jars.  3. The Bandit Another famous face (or not, as the Bandit is just a voice and chooses not to show himself), he has over 86,000 subscribers on YouTube. He has live streamed a number of big wins, including getting his account up to £120,000 on the popular slot Reel King. He has also had recent wins that triggered a 50,000x multiplier. His total YouTube views top 36 million.  Like a growing number of casino streamers, the Bandit runs live promotions and cash giveaways to his audience. He also makes it clear that he is part of an affiliate programme with certain casinos, so everything is out in the open.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaMuM4_7BS4&t=4s 4. CasinoDaddy This is one of the most popular casino streaming channels on YouTube, with over 85,000 subscribers and 66 million views. Impressively, this group of guys (who hail from the Scandinavian countries) stream 14 hours a day, 7 days a week.    They play a huge range of games, including Viking Runecraft: Apocalypse (showcasing a recent win of £20,000), Gluttony (a chunky £32,000 pot in the last few days) and a whopping £86,000 scoop on Pirates Pub.  5. Jimbo Casino This chap, James, is an energetic and engaging presence and extremely popular in the UK. He also promises giveaways during most live streams and has a growing audience of 15,000+ subscribers on YouTube.   He covers a decent range of slots and recent try-outs have included Retro Tapes, Born Wild and Hot Fiesta.  Any Conclusion?  So, after all is said and done, who is watching Casino Streamers? The overwhelming majority of the audience is probably either a player themselves or interested in starting a wagering journey. They may be watching streamers play a certain game so they can get the hang of it before they risk their own coin. Age-wise, it would be a fair guess that Millennials would make up the bulk of the audience. Older punters, used to the more analogue world of betting and not the full-on digital modern reality, will not have come across this corner of the casino world before but may be happy to dip their toes in the water!  Whoever is watching, one thing is clear; the numbers are going up and Casino Streaming is here to stay.    Recommended Casinos To Try After You Watched The Streams Watched casino streamers? Time to try it yourself! Visit our page of the best online casinos that are legal in the UK, use these promo codes (try bet365 bonus code for UK to get free spins) and claim top casino sites promotions. You can also check out these casino apps and new online casinos here. ### The Guardian Announces Comprehensive Gambling Advertising Ban The Guardian Media Group has revealed its decision to eliminate all forms of gambling advertisements across its various platforms, with the sole exception being lottery advertising. The policy, effective from June 15, spans the group’s digital and physical media outlets, including their websites, mobile apps, newsletters, audio and video content, as well as print advertisements in The Guardian and The Observer newspapers and The Guardian Weekly. This implies that banners advertising UK real money casinos or betting deals will no longer be visible on The Guardian's platforms. Additionally, referral links to live odds during popular horse racing and football events might cease to appear in live blog reports. Multiple factors influenced the decision, such as The Guardian's report revealing approximately $25bn (£19.7bn/€23bn) lost to gambling each year. Other considerations include the Premier League's commitment to ban gambling company sponsorships and Australia's impending prohibition of using credit cards for online betting. However, due to the “nature of lotteries”, they remain exempt from the ban. SEO consultant Julia Logan believes The Guardian's policy sets an intriguing precedent, raising questions about the future of gambling advertising. She questioned whether this move would pressure other media houses to rethink their stance on gambling content or trigger regulatory steps limiting media involvement with gambling affiliates. The UK government's Gambling White Paper also features measures to tackle gambling addiction, such as stake limits and a levy on operators to fund treatment for gambling addiction. We are an affiliate website Britishgambler.co.uk express support for these measures and the effort to develop a regulatory system fit for the digital age. Despite the increasing concerns about gambling addiction, statistics reveal that the UK online gaming market is significant, with £6.4 billion GGY recorded in 2022. However, this represented a decrease from the £6.9 billion GGY in 2021, likely due to the lifting of pandemic restrictions. This trend could potentially be influenced further by The Guardian’s pioneering advertising ban. Exposure to Gambling Advertisements and Sponsorships in the UK Shows Slight Decline Regarding the expenditure of the UK gambling industry on advertising: Exposure to Gambling Advertisements and Sponsorships A significant majority, 85%, of people have been exposed to gambling advertisements or sponsorships at some point, with 83% seeing advertisements and 78% noticing sponsorships. This is slightly lower than in 2019, when 87% of people reported having seen either gambling advertisements (86%) or sponsorships (82%). ### Unknown Casino Sites Worth Discovering The UK's gambling landscape is evolving very fast, with new casinos constantly emerging and offering unique slots, games and features to players. While big casino names often dominate the search and traffic volumes, there are numerous lesser-known casinos that are worth your attention. 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What Online Casinos Are Doing Online casinos are embracing inclusivity by catering to the LGBTQ+ community. Casinos like TOMS Casino and LGBTBet targeted LGBTQ+ players with themed slots and charity donations. While these were short-lived, they encouraged mainstream casinos to adopt more inclusive practices. Casinos are also backing LGBTQ+ content creators on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Influencers like TheSpiffingBrit and StephOfTheWolves bring diversity to gaming spaces, making them more welcoming for LGBTQ+ players. Many mainstream casinos celebrate Pride Month with inclusive campaigns, fair policies, and branding that supports equality. These efforts create gaming spaces that are respectful and open to all players. Drag Bingo: Fun Online Bingo & Drag Queen Hosts Drag Bingo is a lively mix of classic bingo and drag performances, celebrating LGBTQ+ culture. 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Even the Global Poker League (GPL) has been spotlighting LGBTQ+ players and teams, making the game feel more like a community than just competition. And hey, there’s even a group called Queer Poker where LGBTQ+ players can meet up, play some hands, and have a laugh. It’s all about creating spaces where everyone can enjoy the game without feeling out of place. ### Lottery Statistics: Survey Reveals Differences in the U.S. and UK It’s probably not too surprising that nearly two-thirds of Americans have purchased a lottery ticket within the last 12 months, especially considering that the largest U.S. lottery jackpot in history was won relatevely recently, in November 2022. Meanwhile, the largest lottery winner in UK history claimed £195 million in 2022. But when it comes to playing the lottery in the U.S. and the UK, preferences vary between both countries.  To find out the differences when it comes to playing the lottery across the pond, British Gambler, an online casino and betting offers site, conducted two nationwide surveys in both the U.S. and the UK. Respondents were asked how frequently they play the lottery, lottery spending as well as what they would do with their winnings if they were to win the jackpot.  Overall, a majority of both U.S. and UK respondents say they have played the lottery within the last year. In the U.S., 65% of respondents say they have played within the last 12 months, while 75% of UK respondents say they purchased a lottery ticket within the last year. Both U.S. and UK residents purchase an average of 2 lottery tickets per month. However, UK respondents spend slightly less on lottery tickets per month. According to UK respondents, the average monthly spend on lottery tickets is £16.86 ($20.60), which is about £202.32 per year ($247.16). Meanwhile, U.S. respondents say they spend more per month ($33.72), which is about $404.64 per year or £331.24.   When it comes to how lottery players in each country would spend their money if they were to win the jackpot, the results vary. In the U.S., nearly 4 in 10 (39%) say they would use their winnings to pay off debts, compared to only one-quarter (26%) of UK respondents. UK respondents are also more likely to call their family to share the news after winning compared to U.S. players. And overall, UK gamblers we surveyed were more likely to say they have weekly thoughts about winning the lottery compared to U.S. respondents. Lottery Statistics: Workplace and Coworkers One area where both UK and U.S. respondents agreed on is whether they would quit their jobs after winning the lottery. Overall, 3 in 10 (30%) employed U.S. respondents say they’d quit their job if they won the lottery, while 35% of UK respondents also said they’d leave their current job. However, UK respondents were more likely to say that they’d give a longer notice to their employer than U.S. respondents. More than one-third (34%) of employed U.S. respondents say they’d quit their jobs for less than $1 million, while nearly half (49%) of employed UK respondents say they’d leave their jobs for less than £1 million. U.S. respondents say they would require at least 10 year’s worth of salary in order to quit, while UK respondents say they’d need at least 13 in order to call it quits. Lotto Stats: Sharing Winnings If you won the lottery jackpot, who would you tell? According to U.S. respondents, Americans are more likely to keep it a secret than UK respondents. Overall, 36% of U.S. respondents say they wouldn’t tell a soul if they won the lottery compared to 24% of UK respondents. However, it appears that an overwhelming majority would eventually share the wealth with those closest to them or give a portion of their winnings to charity or donate it. But when it comes to sharing winnings with a partner, respondents in both countries appear to be less giving. Among UK respondents with a partner, 2 in 10 (20%) would give less than half of their winnings to their partner if they won £100 million. Meanwhile, Americans with a partner tend to be less giving. Overall, 41% of U.S. respondents with a partner would give less than half of their winnings to their partner if they were to win $100 million. Lottery: Relationships After Winning Overall, 46% of U.S. respondents and 48% of UK respondents feel that winning the lottery would have a positive effect on their lives, but the majority of respondents from both countries say they would be cautious about making new friends after winning the lottery. As far as maintaining their current relationships, U.S. respondents were more likely to say they’d re-evaluate or end some of their current relationships after winning. Lottery Statistics: Winning the Jackpot  Overall, more than one-quarter (29%) of UK respondents and two-thirds (36%) of U.S. respondents say they’d continue playing the lottery after they won. And when it comes to winning the jackpot, 2 in 10 (22%) U.S. respondents believe that they’ll strike it rich one day and win a life-changing amount of money.  But can money really buy happiness? According to respondents, it can. An overwhelming majority of respondents from both countries say that winning the lottery would make them happier. Methodology In March 2022, we surveyed 1,100 Americans and 1,100 UK residents to ask them about their experiences with playing the lottery. The average age of UK respondents was 40 years old. The average age of U.S. respondents was 40 years old. In the U.S., 49% of respondents were male, 49% were female and 2% were non-binary/non-conforming. In the UK, 49% of respondents were male, 49% were female and 2% were non-binary/non-conforming.   Income among U.S. respondents: $20K and under (22%); $20,001-$40K (21%); $40,001-$60K (19%); $60,001-$80K (15%); $80,001 and over (23%). Income among UK respondents: £20K and under (30%); £20,001-£40K (46%); £40,001-£60K (17%); £60,001-£80K (4%); £80,001 and over (3%) Fair Use: When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing https://britishgambler.co.uk Where to play slots and games online that pay most? Try UK's new casino sites, use promo codes to receive welcome offers from bet365 casino or 50 free spins at Casimba. ### Ranked: Football Fans Who Swear the Most Whether you’re an NFL fan in the states or a Premier League fan in the UK, there’s no doubt football fans on both sides of the Atlantic are passionate about their teams. From cheering and jeering to chanting and ranting, football fans can experience a wide range of emotions throughout the game depending on how a team is performing. So, when winning the game slips through a team’s fingers, it’s not uncommon to hear profanity slip out of fans’ mouths. But which fan bases are the most prone to use profanity? British Gambler, an online casino and betting offers site, surveyed both American NFL fans as well as British Premier League fans in order to determine the most foul-mouthed fan bases. Our survey asked more than 1,000 American NFL fans and more than 1,000 UK Premier League fans about their relationship with profanity while watching football (and maybe using betting apps). Fans were asked how often they swear while watching a game, what triggers them to use profanity during a game and whether they swear quietly under their breath or if they’re boisterous when using profanity. Which NFL Fans Swear the Most? New York Giants When it comes to foul-mouthed NFL fans, New York dominates them all. Coming in at No. 1 are the New York Giants. New Yorkers aren’t shy from telling it like it is, so it might not be a surprise that the Giants top our list. On average, Giants fans said they swear 8.8 times per game, which is more than any other fan base in the league. The top reasons Giants fans use profanity? A poor officiating decision by referees is No. 1 followed by the team running a bad play.  Detroit Lions Coming in slightly behind the Giants are the Detroit Lions with an average of 8.7 swears per game. Similar to the Giants, Lions fans blame referees for their foul mouths. Lions fans also said watching the opposing team score will cause them to swear during a game. Las Vegas Raiders We head to the Southwest to find the third biggest foul-mouthed fans in football. The Raiders rank No. 3 with an average of 8.6 swears per game. But unlike most fan bases, Raiders fans say watching a kicker miss a field goal gets under their skin the most and is the top reason they utter something profane during a game. New York Jets New York Jets are the second New York team to top our list of foul-mouthed football fans. Jets fans swear slightly less than Giants fans, according to respondents. On average, Jets fans swear 8.5 times per game. Referees are the No. 1 reason for Jets fans to use profanity followed by fumbles or interceptions. Pittsburgh Steelers Our fifth spot goes to the Pittsburgh Steelers who swear an average of 8.4 swears per game, according to respondents. Steelers fans also say poor officiating is the top reason they swear followed by the team running a bad play. Rounding out the top 10 most foul-mouthed NFL fans are the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears, which are all tied at No. 6 with an average of 8.3 swears per game. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams came in at No. 7 followed by the Cincinnati Bengals (No. 8), Buffalo Bills (No. 9) and the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 10).  Which NFL Quarterbacks and Coaches Swear the Most? NFL fans aren’t the only ones guilty of using profanity. If you’re a fan of the NFL, you’ve probably heard a coach, or a quarterback use a curse word or two on a hot mic or during an interview. But which coaches and quarterbacks use profanity the most in the eyes of NFL fans? According to NFL fans, Bill Belichick tops the list of foul-mouthed coaches while Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers ranks No. 1 for foul-mouthed quarterbacks. Which Premier League Fans Swear the Most? Liverpool Manchester United may have Liverpool beat in terms of number of Premier League titles, but Liverpool reigns supreme when it comes to using profanity. On average, Liverpool fans say they use profanity 7.4 times per game. And the main reason fans swear? Referees. According to Liverpool fans, poor officiating is the biggest trigger for fans when it comes to swearing followed by watching a player miss a goal. Leeds United Coming in right behind Liverpool at a close second place is Leeds United. On average, Leeds United fans say they utter roughly 7.3 swears during a game. And just like Liverpool fans (and most Premier League fans), referees are to blame for fans’ foul mouths. West Ham United Our No. 3 most foul-mouthed football fan base is West Ham United. On average, West Ham fans say they swear about 6.6 times per game. Witnessing a bad officiating decision by a referee is the top reason West Ham United fans swear, according to respondents. Chelsea Another fan base also pointing the finger at referees as the main reason for their profanity are Chelsea fans. Overall, Chelsea fans say they swear roughly 6.4 times per game and poor officiating is the top reason fans say they swear during a game. The second most common reason you’ll hear a Chelsea fan swear is when an opposing team scores, according to respondents. Manchester United Even though they’ve been crowned as the champions of 2021-22 Premier League season, Manchester United missed out on the prestigious top spot for most profane football fans. On average, Manchester United fans say they swear about 6.2 times per game, which is slightly less than No. 1 Liverpool with 7.4 swears per game. You can’t win them all, right?  Which Premier League Managers and Captains Swear the Most? Along with asking UK football fans how much they swear during games, we also asked them to rank managers and captains by their foul-mouthed tendencies. Once again, Liverpool dominates this list as fans claim Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and team captain Jordan Henderson are the most foul-mouthed managers and captains in the Premier League.  Profanity in Sports: US vs. UK Fans Along with asking fans from both the US and UK how often they swear and what causes them to swear, we also asked if they swear quietly under their breath or whether they’re boisterous with their profanity. Overall, Americans are more boisterous than fans in the UK. Nearly half (48%) of American NFL fans say they swear loudly compared to just 36% of UK respondents. When it comes to well-mannered fans, it’s fairly even. 20% of American NFL fans say they don’t swear at all while 21% of UK Premier League fans say they also mind their manners when watching a game and refrain from swearing. So, who swears more? According to respondents, it’s Americans who swear the most while watching the NFL. On average, American NFL football fans swear 7.1 times during a game while UK Premier League fans swear roughly 5.5 times per game. Interestingly, UK fans felt that they used profanity more than Americans. An overwhelming majority (94%) of UK respondents felt they used profanity more often than Americans while watching their favorite team. Meanwhile, only 51% of Americans felt British Premier League fans used profanity more often than NFL fans.  Let’s hope this is one competition that UK sports fans don’t want to win. Methodology From December 2022 to January 2023, we surveyed 1,100 NFL fans in the US. During the same timeframe, we surveyed 1,100 British Premier League fans in the UK. For American respondents, the average age was 42 while 50% of respondents were male, 48% were female and 2% were non-binary. For UK respondents, the average age was 42 while 49.7% of respondents were male, 49.6% were female and .7% were non-binary. Fair Use When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing https://britishgambler.co.uk What is British Gambler about? It is your source to the best legal UK casinos, including newest sites, and betting platforms, valid promo codes and free bet offers. Find your perfect gambling site to play slots or bingo. ### Lotto365: How it works, bonuses, game types and results Sports betting and online casino giant Bet365 and iGaming creator Sports Information Services (SIS) are combining to bring the excitement of the UK lottery to the Bet365 betting site and bet365 casino. Bet365, the world’s largest online betting operation, is pairing with SIS SIS, owner of the 49’s Live Numbers brand, to build and operate its new Lotto365 offering. SIS is developing an exclusive live draws product that will anchor bet365’s overall lottery product offering. We are very pleased to be partnering with bet365 to deliver this exciting new project,” Jessica Mills, Head of Product Proposition at SIS, said in a statement. “Our 49’s Product team has worked very hard to support the creation and development of Lotto365.” Recently, Bet365 became the first online betting house to stream SIS’s market-leading 49’s fixed odds live numbers product. This latest launch should only serve to enhance Bet365’s continued developing presence in the lottery products section of iGaming. “Lotto365 reaffirms our commitment to investing in a high-quality lottery portfolio,” Bet365 said in a statement. “It’s a key product for many bettors within the Bet365 group, and this new offering will be highly appealing.” How Does Lotto365 Work Lotto365 will be delivering a live draw every five minutes over the course of 23 hours each and every day. These lottery drawings will be conducted, created and streamed from the SIS broadcast studios in Milton Keynes, UK.  In addition to the main draws, the live product will be offering customers the opportunity to wager on prop markets such as the colours of balls drawn, which are yellow, white, and green in-line with bet365’s existing branding, as well as odd/even numbers.  Players can opt to include bonus balls in the draw, which are entered when filling out their online coupon. Players can add bonus balls when filling out their online coupon and determining the amount of their wager. It’s also possible to add extra lines to a play. There’s also a lucky dip option, in which numbers are chosen for players via a random number generator.  Game plays include straight, combination, bonus ball number, bonus ball colour, first number drawn, total value, first number drawn odd/even, HiLo, and odd/even. “The launch of Lotto 365 is testament to the outstanding reputation and heritage of our 49’s product portfolio, which has been delivering high quality and reliable live numbers draws for over 25 years,” Mills said. “It’s been a real team effort with bet365 throughout this project and we’re confident that the product will attract a wider audience of players.” Lotto365 Game Types And Prize Winnings The ‘pick five from 36’ format provides players with the chance to win up to £100,000 from just a £1 stake when all five numbers are correctly drawn. There are also many smaller prizes up for grabs, even if only one matching ball is revealed. Payout on one number is +650 the player’s wager. From there, it goes up to +6600 for two numbers, +70000 on three numbers, +1000000 for four numbers and +15000000 if they hit on all five numbers. When bonus numbers are added to the drawing, payouts are as follows: +500 (one number), +4400 (two numbers), +44000 (three numbers), +50000 (four numbers) and +5000000 (five numbers). Where To Find Lotto365 Results All lottery results will be available on the 49s.co.uk web page. Data available on the site will make it possible for players to view recent results, discover the hot and cold balls, and search for statistics relating to individual ball numbers. “SIS and 49’s have a long history of producing best-in-class lottery content and SIS were the partner of choice to support the development of Lotto365,” Bet365 said in a statement.  Lotto365 is currently only available in English but will soon be streamed in multiple languages.  Lotto365 Bonus Are there any promotions to the new online lottery customers at Lotto365? Currently, none, but we do hope that there will be some types of bonuses and incentives. For now, use bet365 bonus code 365GMBLR to get free spins and bet credits. T&Cs apply. ### Less Vegas: Mapping 9 Best Alternative Locations for a Gaming Getaway Since lockdown restrictions have lifted, many of us are now able to scratch that travel itch we’ve been feeling for so long - but where should you go next? Las Vegas is internationally renowned for being a popular holiday hotspot. It boasts an abundance of extravagant hotels, an extensive selection of fine dining restaurants and bustling bars, designer shopping outlets, and of course, its plethora of casinos and gambling options. Travellers from all over the globe descendon the neon-soaked Strip for a taste of quintessential Las Vegas, and ultimately, the trip of a lifetime. Situated in Nevada in the south-west of the United States, Las Vegas requires a long, potentially expensive, flight from the UK, and there’s an eight hour time difference to contend with too. There’s no denying that Sin City offers it all, making the gambling journey worthwhile - but it’s not the only location of its kind. In fact, there’s a whole world out there to explore, and many corners of the globe offer a similar Vegas-style experience. So, where should you head to on your next gaming getaway? Our latest campaign takes a closer look at some lesser-known gambling destinations which could give Las Vegas a run for its money, while offering you more bang for your buck. We’ve created a unique scoring system to compare and contrast 9 alternative locations that boast similar qualities to Vegas. We have collated data right across the board, including the average cost of a return flight, the average temperature and even the average price of a beer. We have also taken monthly Google search volumes into consideration, as well as Instagram hashtag popularity, to help give us an overall picture of which locations could be a great alternative to visiting this part of the Battle Born state. Check out the rest of our research below to see how each casino gambling destination ranks against Las Vegas… The cost of travel For those of us who live in the UK, travelling to Las Vegas requires a long-haul flight, and you can expect to be in the air for around 10 hours 40 minutes if you’re flying from a London-based airport. In order to land stateside, the average cost of a return flight from London Heathrow to Las Vegas is £1,756 per person. If an expensive, long-haul flight doesn’t appeal to you, why not see what’s available on your own doorstep? London ranked top for low flight cost - because there’s no need to even board a plane. The UK’s capital offers its own kind of pizzaz, just like Las Vegas, and the chances are you can get there by bus, train, car or even on foot if you already live in the city itself. Our data also shows Monte Carlo as being an affordable alternative, with a return flight costing just £87, while a return flight to Amsterdam would set you back slightly more at £151. The cost of accommodation From our research, we discovered that the average cost of a hotel room, per night, in Las Vegas is £71. Our data shows that Macau is a great alternative, taking pole position when it comes to affordable casino hotel costs. You can expect to spend £68 on average, per night, when visiting this region of China. This is closely followed by Puerto Rico, which has an average nightly hotel cost of £81. The weather As the weather in the UK starts to cool, Vegas remains as hot as ever. The average temperature in Las Vegas during September is a sweltering 36°C - it is the desert after all. Not far behind Vegas, Singapore boasts an average September temperature of 31°C, making it another prized destination if you’re eager to soak up the sunshine. Meanwhile, Macau and Puerto Rico aren’t far behind, both offering average temperatures of 30°C. The average price of a beer Did you know the average price of a beer in Las Vegas is £4? Did you know the average price of a beer in Las Vegas is £4? Considering the average cost of a beer in London is £6, this doesn’t seem wildly unreasonable. However, you can get far more for your money in Macau. This location scored the best when it comes to average beer prices. Here, you can enjoy a cold refreshing pint for, on average, just £1.20. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico boasts low beer prices too, with the average cost of a pint setting you back £2.50. Instagram popularity Instagram can tell you a lot about a place - especially hashtags. During our research process, we took to the social media platform and looked at how many hashtags each of our destinations had. London peaked with the most hashtags, with a staggering 158,000,000 uses of the hashtag #London. Amsterdam was second with 43,000,000 hashtags, while Las Vegas took the third spot with 42,000,000. Popular gambling destinations: The average monthly search volume We also looked at the average monthly search volume for each location. Our data shows that Las Vegas is the most frequently searched destination - with 73,000 people, on average, searching for the term ‘Flights to Las Vegas’ each month. Following behind is the search ‘Flights to Puerto Rico’, with an average of 51,000 people using this term, while an average of 24,000 searches are made for ‘Flights to London’ each month. The number of casinos Las Vegas is synonymous with casino culture. Many travellers head to Sin City to see if they can hit the jackpot by putting their gambling skills to the test. But it’s not just this Nevada city that is well equipped when it comes to casinos. According to Google, London boasts 53 casinos. So, if you’re already based in the UK and you want to try your luck with a little Blackjack or Roulette, it could be that you needn’t travel very far at all. This could be ideal if you’d rather avoid the long flight time or soaring temperatures of Las Vegas. Alternatively, you could of course choose to gamble online. British Gambler is an expert gambling website, showcasing a list of the most popular and trustworthy online casino and betting websites in the UK. Best alternative place for gambling. And the winner is… So, which of our gambling destinations scored the highest overall? Puerto Rico proved itself to be a favourable alternative to Las Vegas for many reasons. Firstly, there is a significant price difference when it comes to return flights. While the average cost of a return flight to Las Vegas is £1,756, Puerto Rico came in £1,227 cheaper with return flights costing £529. Puerto Rico boasts slightly cooler average temperatures of 30°C for September making it the ideal spot if you prefer more manageable weather than Las Vegas offers. Average monthly Google search volumes show Puerto Rico is nearly as popular as Vegas. Sin City racks up a monthly average of 73,000 searches for ‘Flights to Las Vegas’, while the Island of Enchantment falls closely behind with 51,000 average monthly searches. Which of our locations takes your fancy for your next gambling getaway? Let us know using #LessVegasGetaway. ### The Best Royal-Themed Online Slots and Casinos Revealed The massive profusion of online casinos in the last few years has given players a huge range of online slots to choose from and the Royal category has been one of the most prominent.  With easily-recognisable themes like Crowns, Kings and Queens, Palaces and loyal subjects, Royal-themed games have always proved popular with punters, inspired, no doubt, at the thought of winning enough riches to live like a King or Queen themselves. So why not dive in and enjoy some of the most monarch-tastic real money casinos with promos like Regal Wins on the market? The Top 5 Royal-themed Online Casinos in the UK Which Casino offers Queen-inspired royal slots online? Regal Wins Casino is a solid start for royal fans. With a Welcome Bonus of up to £500 (minimum initial deposit of £20 is required), punters are assured of a princely welcome. Players can also enjoy the Loyalty Points scheme and are rewarded every time they spin. As well as top slots like ancient Queen-inspired Cleopatra, Regal Wins has a series of quality Live Table games, including Grand Roulette and Baccarat Squeeze. All British Casino is another go-to for regal fans, bedecked as it is, with a Royal Air Force bullseye. There is a Welcome Offer of a 100% matched initial deposit of up to £100, as well as an on-going 10% rebate offer. The game selection is excellent, including the Microgaming slot Royal Mint and the Table games All British Roulette and Mississippi Stud Poker. Britain Bet Casino is, like Elizabeth Windsor herself, a great all-rounder. There is a decent sportsbook with a huge range of in-play betting, as well as a well-stocked casino, full of innovative slots and dealer-led Live games. There is a generous rewards programme as well as a stonking Welcome Offer of a 200% matched initial deposit, up to a value of £50. Diamond Blackjack and Silver Roulette are among their most played games and players shouldn’t miss out on the chance to win over £1 million on one of Britain Bet’s Jackpot games. Queen Play Casino will no doubt be getting a lot of extra traffic at the moment and it is well worth a visit. Pitched as a pro-female online casino, Queen Play hosts a crown on its home page, as well as cool cat with a funky purple hair-do. Like the late monarch, this is a site that knows its own mind and isn’t afraid of having some fun into the bargain. New players can get up to 100 Free Spins when they sign up, as well as a £200 bonus. The minimum deposit is only £10. Be sure to check out new slot Bon Bomb Luxpots and, in the Live Casino, Dream Catcher and Kensington Roulette.  Top 3 Royal-Themed Slot Games Where better to start than the Royal Family, one of the outstanding games from the Yggdrasil software stable. Released in 2020, this game has already won a big army of subjects who love the intricacies of the 25-line set-up. With a maximum win of £700,000, The Royal Family makes huge appeal to punters of all sizes. It asks players to collect 5 rare prizes and 7 more common prizes. There is a Free Spin mode and a Royal Chest feature that can unveil some serious prizes. “Mirth and Merriment” await, is the promise from the creators and punters can enjoy this fine game in the comfort of their own palace, or on-the-go on any mobile device, from Android to iOS.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO4pJJlWurs Rising Royals is another regal cracker, this time from Microgaming. Set among sprawling palace gardens, this game has a 5-reel, 20-payline set up. Players can expect to dance at a Grand Ball, swing from crystal chandeliers and enjoy all the decadence of a royal evening. With clever use of symbol upgrade features, punters must aim to fill an entire grid with Rising Royals and trigger the big prizes.  Shining Crown is a classic slot, available at most of the top online casinos and is well worth taking a spin on. With special features like Expanding and Stacked Wilds and Bonus Rounds, Shining Crown is sure to hold your interest. The low-paying symbols are easily recognised, including lemons, oranges, plums and cherries and the High-paying symbols really up the ante, with Wild Red 7’s and Purple Star Scatters added to the mix. A crowning glory to enjoy! ### Who is the British Gambler? New Study Revealed UK Player Behavior Britishgambler.co.uk - a sports betting and casino affiliate aggregator - analysed 526 new accounts created via affiliate links to UK gambling websites. The aim was to learn more about the average British gambler’s behaviour, draw conclusions about their practices and assess their needs. We looked in fine detail at the average sum of new deposits, losses/wins and patterns of behaviour. This included patterns like which days people tend to bet and play at online casinos, which devices they use to log in and from which areas across the United Kingdom.  We used our own affiliate accounts and Google analytics data between January 1- July 31 2022 (30 weeks) to determine these findings. This is while taking into consideration the UK government’s discussions concerning gambling reform (White Paper), which could be published as early as October. Questions we wanted answered: How much does the average British Gambler bet? How much do they win/lose betting? How much does the average British Gambler spend in a casino?How much do they win/lose at the casino?What day of the week is most popular among bettors?Is British Gambler on mobile or desktop?Best UK areas for casino search interest? Findings: When and how UK online gamblers play UK players win on sports bets, lose on casino gamesFridays big for casinos, Saturdays for sports betsUK players gamble using Apple phones and SamsungOnline Casino is TOP interest v. sports betting Win or Lose: UK players win on sports bets, lose on casino games In general if a new depositing UK gambler bets on sports it is a win, if a person plays at an online casino it is a loss. So, out of an average stake of 47 GBP a new depositing British sports bettor wins 47% (22 GBP) and loses 30% (14 GBP) on casino games.  Nearly 71% of all sports bettors are man, while around 78% of all online bingo players are women. Gambling Days: Fridays big for casinos, Saturdays for sports bets.  The favorite day to play casino games online in the UK are Saturdays (21% of all new deposits), Fridays (16%), while Sundays and Mondays are the days with the least gambling activity (12%). Of all casino sections (when people actually play) 35% is on Fridays, it is also on Fridays they lose the most.  Interesting that slots and bingo games are the most popular types of gambling on Wednesdays. UK gamblers play casinos usually between 18 and 23 in the evening.  For sports bets Saturday is the day (38% of all new players bet on Saturdays) and win the most on Saturdays as well. On Thursdays sports bettors often lose the most.       Mobile v. Desktop: UK players gamble using Apple phones and Samsung The mobile is by far the most popular choice for British gamblers with 86% completing the sign up process on mobile and 91% making their deposits on mobile devices (Apple is the most used phone followed by Samsung S10 and S21). Sports Betting v. Online Casinos Search Intent: Online Casino is TOP interest Based on Google Trends and Google Analytics data (Jan 1 2022 - 31 July 2022) the proportion between online casino search terms and online betting search terms looks like 70% v. 20% on avg. across the UK. However, in Northern Ireland and Scotland people looking for online sports betting related keywords slightly more, the search proportion in these 2 territories is: 60% (casino) v. 30% (sports). UK gambling reform discussion “With existing AI-based technologies helping gambling companies detect and prevent problem gambling behavior on their platforms by analyzing for instance online slot sessions lasting more than an hour or amounts lost within a certain period of time - in general creating a safe customer journey, it could be smarter to make it mandatory to implement extra vigilance via new technology rather than sanctioning the industry as a whole and imposing a “ban” on the vast majority of recreational gamblers. In my opinion it is smarter for societies to move towards being guided and assisted (like your smart watch telling you how many steps you should do daily to stay healthy) rather than being imposed bans on, in a long run it does not solve the problem”, - Alexander Kostin, founder of BritishGambler.co.uk  ### New research suggests 16-24 year-olds four times as likely to suffer from ‘problem gambling’ A fresh survey conducted by the UK Gambling Commission suggests ‘problem gambling’ is most prevalent in 16-24 year-olds, who suffer at around four times the national average. The research found problem gambling continued to affect around 0.2% of the population in the six months leading up to June 2022, which is consistent with the previous six months. The figure could even be considered an improvement after that rate was recorded at 0.4 in the same period the previous year. However, the 16-24 year-old age group indicated 0.8% of people in that demographic suffer from problem gambling, with bookmakers becoming increasingly accessible in the mobile betting age. Conversely, the 35-44 year-old age group moved in the opposite direction as problem gambling dropped to 0.2% among their number after it was recorded at 0.8% in 2021. Men continue to be the more likely gender to be affected by problem gambling, though it’s encouraging problem gambling fell to 0.3% in the latest survey, which is half last year’s rate. ### What can we expect from the White Paper on gambling reform? Gambling Reform Introduction The process of reforming the 2005 Gambling Act began in 2020 and is ready to be debated in parliament. At least it was, before the machinations of the ruling Conservative Party decided to jettison its leader and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, throwing all pending legislation into limbo. The 2005 Gambling Act was one of the most radical relaxations of gambling laws in British history. The main three aims were to keep gambling out of the hands of criminals, make sure the gambling industry was fair and open and to protect children and other “vulnerable persons”. As the internet revolution continued apace, through the introduction of smartphones and social media it became clear that the industry was no longer equipped to deal with the various challenges of the digital age. When the maximum bet on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) was reduced from £100 to £2, it was clear that the winds of change were truly blowing and that wholesale reform was required. What is the White Paper? Although the White Paper was touted to be published in July 2022, we will have to wait until, probably September or October 2022 to see all the details. However, UK gamblers do know some of the proposals that can significantly change the gambling sites landscape. Affordability Affordability issues will almost certainly be at the heart of the White Paper. Proposals to make checks mandatory after £125 has been deposited are likely to be included. This is a significant shift from anything we have seen before. To be clear, this is referring to all deposits made via debit cards and e-wallets, not simply credit accounts. Indeed, the use of credit cards to deposit funds has been banned for a number of years now. The checks will take the form of players having to submit documentation showing they can afford the amount they are spending. This Source of Funds (SOF) requirement is already common practice in many betting companies, keen to stay ahead of the game. It is not clear the impact this has had on their revenue or growth.  Further affordability checks are also due to be enforced when a player loses more than £2,000 in a 90-day period. It is expected that these “harder” checks will inevitably leave some form of credit history footprint, jeopardising an individual’s access to mortgages, loans and other financial products. Many in the betting industry fear that a substantial percentage of punters will be put off wagering entirely if this change happens, regardless of how much money they earn or are willing to gamble with.  Slot Caps “Slot Caps” are another expected change, reducing the permitted maximum online stake for slot games to around the £2-£5 mark. This can affect many of UK's best slot sites like Mr.Play and their revenues. This may then go up to £10-£25 after affordability checks, but this would still be a major reduction, along the same lines as the FOBT reduction brought in for betting shops.  VIP Schemes Banning VIP Schemes and loyalty bonuses is another aspect of the White Paper that is likely to stay. The ability of online betting firms to look after their best clients (i.e. those who lose the most money) has always been an important part of their PR. Under this legislation, individual players would no longer be able to receive rebates on losses, trips to major sporting events or even a Christmas hamper. Free Bets Betting offers such as Free Bets are also to be monitored under the proposals. Several of the hefty fines handed out by the Gambling Commission in the last few years have specifically criticised the indiscriminate use of free bets, particularly when targeting problem gamblers or those who have shown signs of problem gambling. Free bets have always been a key part of an online betting sites’ armoury when trying to attract new punters in a crowded market, and this is a significant change. How could the White Paper affect punters? Clearly any credit checks will be a barrier to players and companies alike. Whether it comes down to issues of credit or the invasion of privacy, many current and potential customers will be put off from wagering. Those that don’t pass the intended credit checks will also, naturally, wager less than previously.  How could the change affect betting companies? Betting industry sources estimate that if the White Paper proposals are introduced it will cost between £20 and £30 million a year. The knock-on effect on affiliate schemes, which are reliant on start-ups finding as many new players as possible, will clearly be significant and could lead to a number of online casinos closing (Cloud Casino left the UK gambling market) and many new casinos not getting the green light.  Other Effects The state of the racing industry in the UK is already a topic of much debate and industry sources feel the White Paper could have a “drastic impact” on an already-ailing sector. Attendance on course is well down, as is revenue, and many of the 50-odd racetracks in the UK could come under serious pressure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvvqI7dDXK4 The future of UK Gambling with Chris Elliott from Wiggin LLP (Recorded Live @ BOS Europe) Conclusion Essentially, we are waiting to see what happens with the Conservative leadership before we can make any firm conclusions. The “Red Wall” Conservative MPs represent some of the most deprived parts of the UK and some of those most affected by problem gambling. They are certain to hold the new Prime Minister’s feet to the fire when it comes to pushing the White Paper through. However, given the current cost of living crisis and the generally dire financial forecast facing the UK government (and treasury), the potential loss of gambling revenue could lead to the proposals being kicked into the long grass or certainly watered down. We will know very soon. ### Woodgate Exclusive: Former Spurs man feels Arsenal can’t live with Kane and Son Ahead of this week’s North London Derby, BritishGambler.co.uk spoke to former Tottenham, Leeds, Newcastle and Real Madrid centre-back Jonathan Woodgate. Woodgate has said that Spurs will beat Arsenal on Thursday to clinch Top 4, and that Liverpool will pip City to the Premier League title and beat his old club Real Madrid to win the Champions League. He also said that centre-back Van Dijk is not only the best centre-back in the world right now, but the best he has seen in his lifetime. Woodgate also suggested Lingard be made top priority in summer for Newcastle, and that Lingard will thrive on being the ‘big fish’ at St James’ Park. Woodgate believes that Everton will avoid the drop, and that it will be one from Leeds or Burnley that gets relegated this season, but it’s simply too tight to call. Did Liverpool mess up their title chances with the draw against Spurs? Will City win the title now? I wouldn’t say Liverpool messed up as I was at the game and Tottenham were exceptional, and it was a tough game. I wouldn’t say Liverpool messed up but at this point of the season, we always expect Man City and Liverpool to get three points, and we think they’ve thrown the title away – they haven’t, because I think city will drop points towards the end of the season somewhere. I was at the Real Madrid game and Man city didn’t do a lot wrong, it was just a freak 5 minutes of injury time, it was just crazy. The only thing that disappointed me was that the only opportunity they had after going behind was Foden with the header. Man City have got over the psychological blow of Madrid, but I still think they will drop points somewhere before the end of the season. Who will win the Premier League? I could say one today, and the other tomorrow. I’m gonna go with Liverpool, just because of the injuries Liverpool have at the back, to Kyle Walker and Laporte, I think that’s going to be huge. At the other end of the table, who do you think will be relegated from the Premier League? Will Leeds stay up? I hope they do! It’s hard to judge. Everton have been brilliant the last few games, beating Chelsea at home and beating Leicester away and the victory against Man United as well – I was looking at their away form and thinking they hadn’t won since Brighton on August 28th – 6 points away from home since before Leicester, and I think they’ll be okay now as they’ve got a couple of home games and I think they’ll pick up 6 points from their two home games. It’s gonna be down to Burnley and Leeds. I watched Jesse Marsch’s first game against Leicester, and I know they got beat in that game, but you could see what they were trying to do and they were very good. They’ve been playing very well, and I thought they were clear of the danger, but have been dragged back in by the form of Burnley and Everton. But it’s out of Burnley and Leeds! How do you see Leeds v Chelsea shaping up? Chelsea aren’t in great form, they’ve got 5 points from their last 5 games and look like they’ve taken their foot off the gas a bit, and have the cup final coming up so will they maybe rest a few players for that? I know third isn’t in the bag yet with Arsenal and Spurs putting the pressure on, so it will be interesting to see what team Tuchel puts out. Is this a ‘must win’ for Leeds or is it the slightly less difficult ties against Brighton and Brentford that will decide it? You wanna try and win every game but a point wouldn’t be a bad result against Chelsea. But if they rest a few players, Leeds could capitalise on it and as I said, Chelsea are not in great form at the minute. What has happened at Leeds this year? Is it just the injury problems? I think the injuries have really hampered them. Most of the season they’ve had no Cooper, Phillips and Bamford – the spine of the team. Cooper is injured now, Stuart Dallas, Bamford. Without three of the most reliable players aside from Phillips and Raphina, it’s going to be really difficult for Leeds, but I just hope they stay up. I really do because they’ve a massive football club. Maybe Leeds could have brought in a big name striker in the January transfer window. Bielsa is a cult figure to Leeds fans – would you have kept him as manager if it were your decision? I would have kept Bielsa on, as I think he would have turned it round. I know they’d been on a bad run, particularly at home losing a few, but he would have turned it around. I was a big fan of Marcelo Bielsa, and what he did to the Leeds team and the players, he improved the club and the players, but I just think Leeds wanted something fresh. I was a big fan of Marcelo Bielsa, but I just think Leeds wanted something fresh Does the game on the weekend against City shows there’s still a long way to go for Newcastle? Is Europe realistic for Newcastle next season? It depends who they sign, and they made some really astute signings in January. They’ll do it again, and it’s just about who they’ll attract and if they can get that world class talent. People like Jesse Lingard, who are really good, solid Premier League players. I think Newcastle need to aim to get into Europe like West Ham did. You can’t tell me that Newcastle can’t be better than Wolves next season? Wolves have done well but Newcastle will be aiming for them. Newcastle need to aim to get into Europe like West Ham did Eddie Howe has done a terrific job, and loved what he did at Bournemouth and how he made them play, and he’s brought some of that to Newcastle. Lingard was so good at West Ham, his brother’s views on his futures – he seems destined to leave and Newcastle seems an obvious choice? I think if he comes to Newcastle he will be the big fish, and he’s not the big fish at United. If he goes he will be one of the main men, and that might help him. I like him and think he has great qualities, and great attitude. He will want to prove a few people wrong. He’s only started two games this season and he hasn’t had a fair crack of the whip this season. If you look how bad United have been, has he had a fair crack at it? I don’t think so! Is it sad, even as someone who played for Leeds, to see a club like Man United have such a fall from grace? I think they’ve been mis-managed, and the recruitment has been poor. Look at the managers that have been in there – Mourinho, Van Gaal, Moyes, Solskjaer and now Ragnick – none of them have been able to produce the goods, and there hasn’t really been a plan at United. On Ronaldo, if you’re gonna sign him, build a team around him. It was done that last minute and no one expected him to go there, it wasn’t planned – just because City wanted him and Untied said ‘you’re not having him, so we are having him’. Recruitment has gone out the window at United. Look at City – you know how they play, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea. You don’t know how United play, they don’t have an identity. Arsenal have done very well in investing in youth and re-building these last few years, but United have just thrown money at the problem? What arsenal have done really well is sticking with Arteta when it has been tough, at the start of the season and got beat in the first three but they stuck by him – I like Arteta and think he’s done a great job, and look what they’re creating by sticking with him. Nketiah, Martinelli, Saka, Smith-Rowe. It’s brilliant and fans wanna see that young energy coming through. North London derby this week – score prediction? Will the winner get 4th spot? Yep. Spurs beat Arsenal. I’m not saying that because I’m an ex-Spurs player, but because I watched them away from home against Liverpool, but if they counter attack like they did against Liverpool, they’ll win against Arsenal. Their counter is so aggressive, and so good. I don’t see who can deal with Son, Kane and Kulusevski. The power of those three players will be the drivbng force. Spurs beat Arsenal I don’t think either team will be scared of eachotehr because they’re fighting for one place. Back in the day wit hHenry, Petit, Overmards, Pires – it was pure speed. I think Spurs will beat Arsenal and get the Champions League Thoughts on Harry Kane’s future? I think if conte leaves, Kane leaves. He has two years left on his contract and Conte only has a year let and has been rumoured with other clubs. And I think Conte will go if they don’t get the top four. I know City look like they’re competed the signing of Haaland, but there will be someone out there who wants to take Harry Kane – he’s World Class. Who will win the Champions League final? Liverpool will win. They’ve got too much. They’re too aggressive, they’re too quick, thy close down too quick. They’re animals these Liverpool players. They’re a juggernaut of a team. They have so much ability in the team and so much pace, power and intensity to their game. I think Real will struggle with it. I watched Real against City, Chelsea, PSG, and yes they beat them all but needed a bit of luck. In a one-off game against Liverpool – not at the Bernabeu – I think Liverpool will have too much and will win. View BritishGambler's pages about gambling sites, bonuses, mobile casinos, and exclusive claim codes. Is Van Dijk the best CB in the world? I think he’s the best centre back I’ve seen in my lifetime. He’s incredible. He’s an incredible player. The best I’ve seen. I think Benzema is on something ridiculous like 43 goals for the season and he will need to be at his best against Van Dijk. You play against a centre back like Van Dijk, and he just has everything. Everything you’d want in a centre back. If you could create a centre back and say this is what I’d want him to look like – Virgil Van Dijk is that player. If Liverpool lose him, he is irreplicable. He’s the most important player in that Liverpool team. Playing against Benzema is tough, but playing against Van Dijk is on another planet. He’s just outrageously good Best player you played against? I’ve got three – Alan Shearer, Luis Suarez and Thierry Henry. Best player you played with? Zidane. Unbelieveable, so elegant. I was so lucky to be involved with such world class players. The things he would do in training were just frightening. Couldn’t get the ball off him. He’d just see passes that weren’t there. Special player. You were at Madrid at the same time as R9 –