UK

A UK travel agent has been sentenced to three years in prison after defrauding her employer of nearly £500,000 over a 20-month period, with part of the stolen money spent on online gambling.

Classic-winning racehorse owner Alan Spence told the High Court that gambling debts of around £800,000 should be void because the bets were allegedly placed with an illegal bookmaker.

Rachel Grady said depression and the “buzz” of gambling pulled her into addiction during 2020, leaving her with £40,000 of debt before she rebuilt her finances through online clothes reselling.

A man from Bedfordshire who lost more than £250,000 through gambling has spoken publicly about his addiction after completing residential treatment with gambling harm charity Gordon Moody.

As more European countries regulate online gambling, many are looking to the UK’s regulatory framework for guidance. The Gambling Commission’s approach to enforcement and consumer protection is increasingly influencing how operators build platforms and manage risk across the continent.

Evoke has launched a strategic review as new UK gambling tax increases and rising debt put pressure on the business. Analysts suggest a private equity takeover or asset sales could be among the operator’s possible options.

Entain has reported a £681m loss for 2025 after recording a significant impairment charge linked to UK gambling tax changes announced in the government’s November Budget. Despite the loss, the company said underlying revenue continued to grow.

AI chatbots operated by major technology companies have been found recommending illegal online casinos and advising users how to bypass gambling safeguards. The findings have prompted concern from regulators, campaigners and addiction experts in the UK.

Curious Games has launched its entry into the iGaming sector through a new partnership with Relax Gaming. The studio will distribute its upcoming titles through Relax’s Silver Bullet programme, gaining access to regulated markets and tier-one operators worldwide.

Edinburgh is rapidly establishing itself as one of Europe’s leading iGaming technology hubs. Industry figures say the city’s fintech expertise, world-class universities and growing network of operators and suppliers are attracting companies seeking engineering, data science and AI capabilities.