Online-only bookmakers in the UK have a better brand perception than rivals with both online and land-based operations, according to a new survey.

UK-based online market research firm YouGov recently published new BrandIndex data, which ranked 10 UK-based betting operators in terms of favorable impression score. The survey, which didn’t deal with online casino or lottery brands, found all 10 brands generated a negative perception among respondents.

Of the 10 brands surveyed, the five worst-scoring brands were those with both online and land-based presence, while online-only bookies scored in the top five (of an admittedly awful result for the lot). YouGov CEO Stephan Shakespeare said the overall industry impression enjoyed a slight improvement since the last survey but the general negativity showed there is “still so much more to be done” to improve public perception.

Ladbrokes fared the worst, with a score of -19.1, followed by Paddy Power (-17.7), William Hill (-17.3), Betfred (-17.2) and Ladbrokes’ proposed merger partner Coral (-15). Among the online-only companies surveyed, 888 Holdings fared worst with a -13.2 score, followed by Bet365 (-12.6), Betfair (-12.3), SkyBet (-7.7) and BetVictor (-3.7).

GVC Holdings’ Sportingbet brand illegally took wagers from Irish punters for two weeks after the country introduced its new online gambling regime.

Ireland’s new point-of-consumption online gambling laws took effect on August 1, yet the Malta-registered Sportingbet continued to take wagers from Irish punters for first two weeks of August. Sportingbet has applied for but has yet to be issued a new Irish online sports betting license.

On Tuesday, Sportingbet began contacting the 143 of its approximately 20k Irish customers who’d placed bets with the firm since August 1, informing them that the bets had been accepted in error. Punters were originally told that the bets in question would be voided, but Sportingbet has since worked out a deal with Irish authorities to honor all outstanding wagers.

Meanwhile, UK-based customers of Costa Rica-based online sportsbook 5Dimes.com were told this week that their business was no longer welcome. The site’s UK customers reported receiving emails from the company stating that it “can no longer accept wagers or registrations from UK based IPs. This is a business decision due to international compliance that has also caused other online sportsbooks to exit this market.”

A new video exposé aims to shine a harsh(er) spotlight on Sheldon Adelson’s online gambling hypocrisy.

Late Thursday night, blogger Tim James (pictured on the left) released the first episode of his new TheTimJamesShow.com. Last weekend, James had released a video teaser detailing the comparative ease with which underage gamblers could gain access to the casino floors of Las Vegas Sands’ properties, where they were allowed to gamble and consume alcohol.

The teaser went on to show the difficulties these same minors had while attempting to register and gamble on Nevada-licensed online poker sites. James maintained that this pokes Titanic-sized holes in claims by Adelson and his Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling that Sands’ brick-and-mortar casinos are better equipped than online sites to screen for underage patrons (although hefty fines seemed to have already settled this argument).

In Part 1 of his debut episode, James reveals that he was prompted to act after receiving a form letter from his local US Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA), a supporter of the Adelson-backed Restoration of America’s Wire Act, which would eliminate most forms of online gambling in the US. Feinstein cited the alleged ability of minors to easily gamble online as part of her justification for supporting RAWA.

The Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG) has made some improvements to the Industry code as a response to calls for tougher rules on advertising.

IGRG has announced on Thursday that a range of improvements will be made to the Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising.

The original code, which was published in 2007, includes measures such as the 9 p.m. TV watershed for all gambling products except for bingo and sports betting around televised sports events; the requirement for advertisements to carry information about the Gamble Aware website; and the removal of sponsoring operators’ logos from all children’s merchandise, such as replica football kits.

The revised version of the code, which will be implemented within six months, prohibits gambling ads from including sign-up offers for new customers before 9 p.m.; all television and radio adverts should have a socially responsible gambling message at the end; the inclusion of clear 18+ or ‘no under 18s’ messaging on all print and television adverts, plus new provisions to cover aspects of marketing on social media.

Casino cruise ships operator Genting Hong Kong Ltd. posted profit for the six months to June 30, attributable to stake sale and one-off accounting gain.

Genting HK profit jumped to 898% to $2.16b in H1 2015, compared to $216.7m over the same period a year ago while EBITDA increased 31.7% to $29.6m from $20.2m in 1H2014.

The company recorded a total gain of $599.6m from the sale of its shares in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in March and May. It also had a one-off accounting gain of $1.56b upon reclassification of NCLH from an “associate” to an “available for sale investment.”

Cruise and cruise-related activities revenues increased 2.5% to $265.1m from $258.8m in 1H2014. Net Revenue in 1H2015 also increased 6.4% year-on-year to $218.0m from $204.9m due higher passenger ticket revenue as a result of the acquisition of Crystal Cruises, which it acquired for $550m in March, but was offset by lower onboard revenue attributable to lower gaming revenue.