Media

Recent Articles

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  07/04/2025

  United Kingdom

  Upheld: ASA rules against ad encouraging irresponsible gaming

  IntroductionThe Advertising Standards Authority (“ASA”) issued a ruling on 26 March 2025 against Stars Interactive Ltd t/a PokerStars (“PokerStars”) for an advert which encouraged socially irresponsible gambling behaviour.BackgroundIn December 2024, the PokerStars Instagram account published a video featuring two content creators competing in a casino challenge, betting £100 each on slot machines. The video portrayed one creator consistently winning large sums of money, suggesting that superstitious actions such as blowing on his finger enabled him to win more money....

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  04/04/2025

  United Kingdom

  Gambling Commission introduces ban on mixed product promotional offers and cap on wagering requirements

  On 26 March 2025, the Gambling Commission published its response to its consultation on socially responsible incentives, confirming that it will introduce a ban on mixed product promotional offers and a cap on wagering requirements. Whilst the introduction of the cap may be somewhat of a relief for operators (given the Commission consulted on an outright ban), the prohibition on mixed product promotional offers has been criticised by some in the industry as potentially impacting smaller operators disproportionately and (as is argued in respect of many of the Commission’s tightening restrictions)...

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  02/04/2025

  United Kingdom

  AI: Balancing Benefits and Risks in the Gambling Industry

  Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is one of the biggest technological innovations of the 21st century and is already changing the way in which we live. All industries are in the process of working out how AI can help them and identifying the risks which it may pose – the gambling industry included. In addition, the gambling industry is itself continuing  to experience a period of change. For a sustained period now, gambling regulation has been increasing and adapting to new technologies and new markets.In this article, we have outlined potential areas which may benefit from...

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  31/03/2025

  United Kingdom

  Merkur Slots UK Limited fined by Gambling Commission

  On 13 February 2025, the Gambling Commission (the “Commission”) announced that it had imposed a fine of £95,450 on Merkur Slots UK Limited (“Merkur”) for social responsibility failings at one of its gambling premises in Stockport.Following an investigation outside of a licence review, the Commission found Merkur in breach of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (“LCCP”) applicable to land-based operators. By failing to identify and interact with customers in a way that minimises the risk of harm associated with gambling, Merkur had breached Social...

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  21/03/2025

  United Kingdom

  More changes ahead for the UK media mergers regime

  In its review of the operation of UK media ownership rules in 2021, Ofcom made a number of recommendations to account for shifts in the media landscape - driven by advancing technology and evolving consumer behaviour in news consumption. In response, in November 2024 the Government launched a consultation on potential changes to the existing regime, and in doing so took an important step toward modernisation.In essence, the Government is acting on Ofcom’s recommendation to broaden the scope of the regime under which the Secretary of State can intervene in media mergers on public interest...

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  21/03/2025

  United Kingdom

  Online Safety Act: Illegal content duties are now in force

  The illegal content duties under the Online Safety Act 2023 (“OSA”) are now in force. With effect from 17 March 2025, online platforms must now, amongst other things, implement appropriate measures to remove illegal content quickly when they become aware of it and reduce the risk of ‘priority’ criminal content from appearing on their platforms.Ofcom has said: “In the coming weeks and months, we will be assessing platforms’ compliance with their new illegal harms obligations under the [OSA], and launching targeted enforcement action where we uncover concerns.”Ofcom...

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