Lottery ticket and casino – that was once! Gambling mainly takes place on the Internet these days. The sports betting and non GamStop slots operators are often based in other European countries. They run a business that is bankrupting many people and is difficult to regulate.

Christian, whose real name is different, is in his early twenties when he gambles away his grandfather’s inheritance alone at the computer, intoxicated with blackjack.

In the previous months he had been fortunate and even doubled his fortune in online sports betting and online casinos.

He has lost the feeling for money and sums: “Since the deposit options are so extremely simplified, immediate transfer or with a credit card, you can deposit new money within seconds if you lose it.”

In his opinion, that’s the crux of the matter: “That you then play yourself into such a frenzy and quickly top up on further losses and try to make up for these losses again.”

Gamble, Lose, Lie .. The Chain of Playing at Non GamStop Casinos!

Christian quickly gets to the point where small sums of money are no longer enough for the intoxication. In search of the bigger kick, he becomes addicted: “The more addicted I became, the more I slipped into it, the less I then revealed, of course,” he says.

“Of course, you’re also ashamed of the big losses, and then, you kept the profits to yourself at some point. Of course, that’s also very dangerous if you don’t reveal anything to the outside world and get involved in all these lying constructs.”

The operators of the non GamStop casinos that Christian deals with are based outside of the UK, many in Malta. On the Mediterranean island south of Sicily, the word of the Catholic Church still carries great weight. So it is special when the Archbishop denounces the online gaming and betting industry, as happened a few weeks ago.

Daniel Darmanin, President of the Archdiocese’s Justice and Peace Commission, also takes this line: “The economy, our way of making money, should first and foremost serve the people. You shouldn’t make money with people’s weaknesses,” said Darmanin.

“We say: Let’s think about how we make our money. What’s behind the money we make?”

“Illegal Subsidies”

Tens of companies from the betting industry have settled on the island. No coincidence, says Green MEP Sven Giegold: “Malta has an effective tax rate on gambling winnings of five percent and below.”

Malta is dealing with the providers of sports betting and online casinos in a similar way as Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Ireland did with large, multinational corporations when they lured companies like Ikea, Starbucks or Apple with extremely low tax rates.

And that has to change, Giegold demands in an interview with Deutschlandfunk: “I call on the European Commission to conduct its own investigation into the area of online gambling because I assume that this is at least partly illegal aid from Malta acts in a tax sense.”

Malta attracts with a good infrastructure and with a very liberal regulation of the market, which allows – quote: “simple and uncomplicated to successfully set up a global business.” That’s what the website gamingmalta.org says, which is run by an institution backed by the government and the gaming regulator.

Growing Industry in Malta

Silvio Schembri, Deputy Minister for Financial Services and Digital Economy at the Prime Minister’s office, intends to bring companies to the smallest EU country by removing bureaucratic hurdles: “Online games are one of the main pillars of the Maltese economy,” said Schembri.

“iGaming industry makes up around 11 percent of our gross domestic product and has around 8,000 employees,” says the Maltese politician. “But that’s not all: this is part of an ecosystem for the digital economy. With a strong gaming economy, a strong IT and communications infrastructure, and a strong financial economy, we have everything we need to keep the digital economy growing in Malta.”

However, the online gaming industry does not always grow in the right direction, as it also attracts criminals. The Italian mafia has long since discovered that you can do good business and launder money via Malta.

Just a few months ago, the withdrawal of five online betting providers from Malta made the headlines because they were the focus of Italian anti-mafia investigations.

Last year, Palermo prosecutors uncovered some clans’ intention to invest heavily in the Maltese online gaming economy. The operation was appropriately titled “Game over,” and 30 people were being investigated.

Legal Gray Area

It is striking that the Maltese authorities usually first deny such connections and often only intervene when the evidence from abroad, for example, from Italy, is overwhelming.

James Scicluna sees it differently. The lawyer does most of his business in the online gaming and betting industry: “This industry, like many others, has attracted some undesirables. I can’t rule that out. But if you focus on that in Malta, you’re on the Wood way”, according to the lawyer Scicluna.

“There is always room for improvement. But if you look at the Malta Gaming Authority and how it compares to other regulators, it does very well in terms of its ability to assert itself and its actual intervention in the market.”

The business model that Malta and tax havens like Gibraltar rely on works mainly because the world of non GamStop casinos is a gray area.

According to a 2021 study, Manchester is the best place in the UK to start a new business. In order to come to that conclusion, Capital on Tap examined the number of businesses in each local authority of the UK, and then tracked how they had been operating for more than 100 years.

Overall, Manchester had seven small businesses that had been operating for over 100 years, 35 that had been operating for more than 50 and 101 that had been operating over the last 25 years. This led to it topping the list with a score of 95.91 – while Birmingham was just behind it at 90.91.

If you are starting up a new business and are looking for your own central hub, there is nothing wrong in heeding to this list and choosing Manchester. Before you do, however, there are a few standard things you have to think about in order to know if it is the right city for you.

First Off, Can You Afford It?

One of the biggest priorities is ensuring you find a location that will fit within your budget. Every different location will alternate in cost, but it isn’t just the premises you should be thinking about. You should also keep an eye on the tax rate, minimum wage requirements, utility upgrades and any renovations that may need to take place with your offices.

You don’t want to move to a location, only to find it is sapping more from your business than it is offering. Calculate exactly what it will remove from your budget and then weigh up the pros and cons.

Are Your Customers Actually There?

Before choosing Manchester as a hub for your business, you need to consider whether your customers are actually there first. Finding the right customer is important and not every city will hold the same number of specific consumers.

If you are a B2B company, especially, you might find that your clientele  field is more limited in certain places. In order to attain consumers and have a successful B2B customer retention, you need to ensure that Manchester represents a large proportion of your customer base.

Is It Close To Other Like-Minded Businesses?

In the same way, you also need to think about other businesses that offer the same services as you. Will your B2B customer retention scheme be limited if customers are already loyal to other – more long-standing – businesses? On the other hand, is there healthy competition in the area?

If you find that no rival companies are operating in Manchester, perhaps there is a reason they have chosen not to set their base there.  You need to find the right balance, ensure there is competition, but so much that the odds are stacked against you before you even begin.

Is It Accessible?

Accessibility is also important when it comes to business location, especially if you are recruiting employees who will be travelling into the office. Likewise, if you have already recruited employees, you need to ensure that they can travel into the city with ease.

When it comes to getting around Manchester, there are good transport links, so attracting new employees should be more than manageable. But all the same, it is best to look into this and make sure the city is right for who you have and who you are looking for.

Is There Room For Growth?

Lastly, you need to ensure that there is room for growth. What we mean by this is your businesses could drastically change over the next few years if Manchester is indeed the correct location. You need to be prepared for the change and ensure Manchester is the right place to be long-term and not just as a stepping stone.

Not only this, but your budget is also going to be affected. A new hire will require an additional 100 square feet per person, so if your business is forecast to grow considerably over the next few years, you need to factor that into your premises now.

We all know that feeling when we get our paycheck and think, “Finally, I can relax and enjoy my hard-earned money.” But then, a few days or even hours later, we wonder where everything went. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Staying on top of your finances can be tough, but it’s doable with little effort. Here are strategies that will help you stay on track financially.

Gain expert knowledge about finances

If you want to improve at something, education is always the first step. The same is true when it comes to personal finance. If your business is in the area, working with a financial advisor in Bristol can help you understand crucial financial concepts and terms. Once you have a strong foundation of knowledge, you’ll be in a better position to make informed decisions about your money.

Make saving a habit

If you want to reach your financial goals, you must prioritise saving money. One way to do this is by setting up automatic monthly transfers from your checking account to your savings account. In this way, you’ll never even see the money and will be less likely to spend it. Another option is to use cash only for certain expenses like entertainment or dining out. This way, you’ll only be able to spend what you have on hand and won’t be tempted to overspend.

Know what you’re saving for

Keeping track of your finances is essential to maintaining a healthy budget and achieving long-term financial goals. The first step in doing this is identifying your specific financial objectives. Ask yourself what you are saving for, such as a vacation, down payment for a house, or retirement fund. Ensure these goals are concrete, achievable, and within your means. Knowing exactly why you are putting money aside will make it easier to avoid unnecessary or impulsive purchases and stay committed to your plan.

Prepare for emergencies

No one likes to think about emergencies, but they can happen anytime. In most cases, they often happen when we least expect them. That’s why it’s important to have an emergency fund that can cover unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs. Aim to save enough money to cover three to six months of living expenses in an emergency. Knowing you’re prepared for anything life throws your way will give you peace of mind.

Take action

Taking action is the most important thing when it comes to staying on track financially. For instance, merely reading this blog post isn’t going to magically improve your financial situation. Putting these tips into practice is crucial if you want them to work for you. Pick one or two strategies from this list and start implementing them today. Remember, small steps can lead to big changes over time, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Keep at it; eventually, you’ll soon meet and exceed your goals.

Conclusion

There’s no magic pill when it comes to improving your financial situation. It requires hard work, dedication, and insight from someone who knows their way around money. Find yourself a trusted advisor to move closer towards achieving those goals.

As the Chancellor prepares his Spring Budget, new research from Grant Thornton UK LLP’s latest Business Outlook Tracker* reveals the policy areas that North West mid-market business leaders hope to see prioritised by the Chancellor. 

The survey found that incentives to support international trade ranked top of the North West wish list – with over one-third choosing this as a top priority (36%).  

With erratic changes to tax policy over the last few months, following the mini-budget in September, it is logical that certainty around future tax policy ranks as the second highest priority for the North West market – 1 in 3 (31%) chose it as a top priority. As the end to the super-deduction approaches, incentives for capital investment tied as the second top priority (31%).  

The rapid adoption of digital technology during the pandemic proved the benefits of digital transformation for business and built a new foundation for the usability and functionality of digital tools. The focus on this agenda remains, as measures to support digital transformation was the third  priority for business leaders (29%).   

Though the market continues to grapple with high prices, and businesses face the likely loss of energy support and the impending hike in corporation tax in April, the majority (68%) of the North West mid-market respondents to the research are confident that the government will provide the necessary support for businesses in the Budget. 

Carl Williams, Practice Leader for Grant Thornton UK LLP in the North West, said:  

“Incentives to support international trade came out as top of the list for the North West and are a must if we want businesses to export and grow into global markets post Brexit, as well as help companies flourish here.  

“It’s clear that clarity around future tax policy is an important priority for North West businesses.  We know that the super-deduction tax break has helped to boost investment in the mid-market – with most of the businesses who have used it confirming it encouraged them to invest more. With the end to the allowance expected in April, there remains a vacuum of uncertainty on whether further support will be available for capital investment. 

“Adoption of digital technology was also key for our region. The pandemic accelerated a fundamental shift in how we work, underpinned by a greater reliance on technology and the need to ‘go digital’. In many cases, digital transformation led to improved efficiency, new routes to market and greater collaboration. The mid-market now has the potential to build on, and accelerate, its digital journey and we need to ensure the momentum around this agenda does not slow.  

“Finally, I’d also like to see a further commitment from the Government for the Levelling Up Fund – too many places in need didn’t succeed last time, while an intent to provide targeted and specific grants to support the low-carbon revolution in our region would be a worthy investment in the future.”

Various transit operators across the world have implemented intelligent transport systems to elevate transit operations and services.

To give you a clearer idea of how this is achieved, this article will take you through what intelligent transportation systems are, what benefits they provide for operators, and how cities across the world have adopted them into various transport operations.

What are intelligent transport systems?

Intelligent transport systems (ITS) apply technology to enhance transit services, in particular by using data and communications to give passengers the information they need at the right time to support their journey, and to enable operators to effectively manage their transport networks.

These advanced systems provide an accurate way of monitoring, analyzing, and controlling various aspects of transport operations, ranging from real-time passenger data to real-time vehicle monitoring.

As well as this, these systems offer crucial insights for vehicle drivers and passengers.

Riders can access live service updates for their journeys, for example, and drivers have reliable two-way communication with control rooms whilst traveling.

How are intelligent transport systems being adopted in cities across the globe?

Various operators in cities across the world have already started to benefit from using ITS.

• Barcelona

According to Intelligent Transport, a leading publication on the urban public transport sector, Barcelona Boasts a large population of over 1.6 million, hence why they  need ITS to ensure a smooth management of vehicle congestion.

This includes the introduction of smart parking and traffic systems for improving congestion, as well as a fleet of hybrid buses for cleaner transport.

• Singapore

Intelligent Transport also highlights Singapore’s desire to be a more technologically advanced city, or ‘smart city’, which led them to incorporate ITS.

The city has established various sensors to monitor and track various aspects of vehicle movement – such as parking, traffic and cleanliness.

• Oslo

This capital city in Norway has implemented ITS as a form of traffic control, to help gain an accurate picture of how efficiently traffic is moving at each point in the day – as noted by Intelligent Transport.

The city has introduced smart traffic measures, including special detectors for license plates, that offers real-time data on congestion in areas throughout the city.

• San Francisco

San Francisco has over 800,000 citizens in a city full of hills and steep slopes. As mentioned by Intelligent Transport, this often leads to congestion being one of the city’s big struggles.

This city implemented ITS with smart ticketing and parking, which allowed authorities to adjust parking prices in correlation with available spaces. This helps streamline public transport and allow free movement throughout the city.

• Cambridge

Cambridge possesses the longest guided bus route in the world – according to Vix Technology, a global leader in automated fare collection, transit information, and transit analytics solutions. Naturally, ITS were crucial for helping  increase transport efficiency.

In this city, ITS provides real-time passenger information for a variety of buses, through a range of displays. This includes vital transport information for riders, including live service updates, journey routes, etc.

What benefits do ITS provide for operators?

There are many benefits to using ITS in your transit agency, including:

• Full visibility for transportation

ITS can give you full visibility of your transport network e.g. by tracking your fleet of vehicles in real-time, meaning any issues can be quickly identified.

ITS can help you make the necessary adjustments to ensure a smooth inflow of riders. For example, when there are delayed routes, breakdowns, or various other disruptions to a journey.

• Improved passenger experiences

ITS can be used to give riders access to a range of information about their journey, including live service updates. With this data, riders have a more informed basis on which to plan and adapt their journeys, leading to a more satisfying experience.

• Fast and reliable communication

With ITS, drivers can have clear communication with control rooms. This means that any necessary rerouting or changes can be quickly communicated to the drivers, and they can adapt smoothly without interruptions to their journey.

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As ITS are being adopted in various cities across the globe, consider how their vast range of benefits can help your transit agency progress into the future of transport technology.