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How the UK is keeping gambling regulations in check

The Manc The Manc - 1st April 2021

The online gambling industry has been thriving lately throughout the UK due to the technological advancements that led to better privacy and security regulations, safer payment methods, and a wide variety of game choices.

From the latest statistics, it looks like online casinos contributed the most to the industry’s 2020 gross gambling yield of £14.22 billion.

Because this market is becoming increasingly popular amongst Brits, there is a tighter focus on responsible gaming. More and more companies are showing their support towards this initiative, wanting to ensure an immersive, but safe experience for each user.

The Gambling Commission in Great Britain, which is the regulatory body of all gambling operations taking place in the UK, has recently shared its strategy for the next three years. With a desire to remain flexible, the strategy highlights the steps needed to maintain a fair and safe gambling market for all individuals.

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The Commission’s goal is to protect players and their personal data through the licenses they offer to gambling operators. In order to get one, they need to follow rigid, pre-established standards and consumer protection practices. Online casino experts are also lending a hand in keeping players safe, while ensuring they get the best services available. There are various options to choose from when it comes to online casinos, as seen on CasinoWings, who compile in-depth reviews of sites and providers, and thorough research is necessary to stay well-informed.

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An important initiative that is due to start this summer throughout the country, including in Manchester, was launched by Entain, the leading British betting, and gaming operator. The Advanced Responsibility and Care (ARC) player protection initiative is claiming to be the first in the industry to use technology to personalise protection for each player. The programme will be able to check the financial situation of each individual and then set stake limits according to the results.

This functionality has been rolled out across all 14 of Entain’s brands, including PartyCasino and Ladbrokes. PartyCasino is one of the world’s largest online casinos, a fully integrated platform with over 500 games on offer, ranging from traditional casino games like blackjack and roulette to the most modern video slots. Meanwhile, Ladbrokes is one of the most recognisable gambling names in the UK, with over 50 years experience and a growing online presence.

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The technology implemented in the ARC framework mixes artificial intelligence with big data. It collects existing customer data that is commercially available and combines it with behavioural indicators. The behavioural indicators involved in this process are fluctuations in stake levels, evidence of chasing losses, and erratic play. This way, the software would be able to predict an individual’s potential financial risk and provide the highest level of protection to the players that need it the most.

Overall, the online casino industry is doing a great job at promoting responsible gaming and improving its services so that players have a wide variety of resources. Technology, particularly AI, has been used for a while now to provide a safe space, as well as a personalised gaming experience. By embracing interactive technology and implementing it into its operational model, the industry has managed to evolve and maintain a strong customer base.

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Morrisons introduces new quiet hours to make stores less ‘overwhelming’ for shoppers

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Morrisons has decided to extend its popular ‘Quieter Hour’ across the UK to help make its stores less “overwhelming” for shoppers.

Introduced earlier this month to mark World Autism Acceptance Week, and in a bid to turn what can be a daunting task for many people into “a calmer and more enjoyable experience”, the supermarket chain has announced an extension to its already popular initiative by adding new ‘Quieter Hours’ during weekday afternoons.

In case you weren’t aware, Morrisons first introduced its Quieter Hour all the way back in July 2018, and has been welcoming people who may struggle supermarket shopping environments through its doors ever since.

The initiative – which initially took place between 9am and 10am on a Saturday, and for the first hour of trade on a Sunday – originally began as part of the National Autistic Society’s ‘Autism Hour campaign’, after it was found that some neurodiverse people, including those with autism, can find shopping in a supermarket “overwhelming”.

Morrisons has introduced new quiet hours to make stores less ‘overwhelming’ for shoppers / Credit: Morrisons

Supermarkets can lead many people to experience increased sensitivity to light and sound, such as loud music, bright lights, and busy environments, and in turn, this can cause anxiety or, in some of the worst cases, even physical pain.

But now, after the trial has proved to be so successful and well-received, Morrisons has made the decision to extended the initiative to weekdays too, as well as weekends – with ‘Quieter Hours’ now also running every week from Monday to Thursday between 2-3pm.

The company says the extension is all with the aim of “helping even more customers”.

During ‘Quieter Hours’, Morrisons stores operate lower levels of lighting, turn music and radios off, avoid making tannoy announcements, reduce movement of trolleys and baskets, and turn checkout beeps and other electrical noises down.

“The weekly shop can be a daunting task for those who may struggle with noises associated with it,” commented Charlotte Exell, who is the Business Sponsor of Ability at Morrisons.

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“At Morrisons, we are always looking for more ways to support customers, and as the Quieter Hour is incredibly popular in our stores across the nation, we have listened to customers and will now help more shoppers in our extended times.”

Featured Image – Morrisons

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Freddos are on sale for 10p at UK supermarkets for the first time in nearly 20 years

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s happening… it’s finally happening.

We never thought we’d see this again, but for the first time in nearly two whole decades, you can now walk into supermarkets across the UK and pick yourself up a Cadbury Freddo for the price of just 10p.

While it may sound a little too good to be true, due to the fact that the beloved chocolate treat has been creeping up in price for the past 19 years, and has very much gone onto become a classic British reference point for the state of inflation and the rising cost of living crisis, we couldn’t be happier to confirm it is.

But, of course, there is a bit of catch (because isn’t there always).

For anyone looking to get their hands on a slashed-price Freddo – which we imagine will be the vast majority of people reading this – you unfortunately won’t be able to pop into any supermarket, as the 10p offer is exclusive to Sainsbury’s and you’ll need a Nectar card to be eligible for it too.

Sainsbury’s announced the return of the 10p Freddo across its official social media platforms this morning, and as you’d expect, shoppers are absolutely losing their minds over it.

The caption of the now-viral post reads: “Some things from the mid 2000s should NEVER come back, but this is not one of them.

“Head to any Sainsbury’s superstore to pick up a Freddo for just 10p with your nectar card.”

Sadly, not only is this unmissable Freddo offer exclusive to Sainsbury’s for Nectar card-holders, it’s also only available in Sainsbury’s superstores too, meaning you won’t be able to find the cheap frog-shaped chocolate bars in little Sainsbury’s Local outlets.

The offer is also only for a very limited time too, as it’s available to make the most of from today (17 April) up until next Tuesday 23 April.

Freddos are on sale for 10p at Sainsbury’s for the first time in nearly 20 years / Credit: Sainsbury’s | The Manc Group

Thankfully, Freddos are the only chocolate treats that Sainsbury’s has slashed the price of currently.

As a way of celebrating the iconic confectionary company‘s 200th birthday this year, the supermarket has also put offers on a wide range of other products.

Dairy Milk bars, multipacks of Fudge, Curly Wurlys, and Flakes, Dairy Milk Trays, Chocolate Finger biscuits, and Mini Roll cake bars are the other much-loved Cadbury products currently on sale with up to 30% off their marked price.

Rachel Clark, who is the Director of Grocery for Sainsbury’s, said on the supermarket’s current Cadbury offers: “We’re delighted to be celebrating such an iconic moment for Cadbury, and its milestone of 200 years as a loved chocolate brand. We know that our customers love Cadbury so we’re very excited to be offering market-leading prices across selected Cadbury products, with savings of up to 60% off with Nectar Prices.”

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Keen to treat yourself to some cut-price chocolate this week then?

All existing Nectar customers need to do is scan their app or swipe their card at the Sainsbury’s checkout to save some pennies.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

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