Let's Discuss Responsible Gambling
Today marks the commencement of Safer Gambling Week, a collaborative effort by the betting industry, government, and regulatory bodies to promote awareness of responsible gambling practices, available tools, and additional support within the community. Organized by the Betting and Gaming Council, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association, and the Bingo Association, this annual campaign is in its seventh year.
Running from November 13-19, this year's initiative aims to disseminate a continuous stream of messages on safer gambling, both online and in land-based venues, fostering a nationwide dialogue on responsible betting. In the previous year's campaign, held in October, an impressive 200,000 accounts implemented deposit limits, reflecting a 12.5% increase compared to the same month the previous year. Notably, 61% of players setting deposit limits did so for the first time. Additionally, the usage of active reality checks surged by an astounding 300%, providing on-screen alerts to track players' session duration and prevent excessive gambling.
Social media engagement during Safer Gambling Week witnessed remarkable growth, accumulating 30 million impressions on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram—an increase of 21% from the previous year. Stuart Andrew, Gambling Minister, commended the efforts, emphasizing the alignment with measures outlined in the gambling white paper released earlier this year.
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, stressed the paramount importance of safety in gambling and the unique opportunity presented by Safer Gambling Week to further highlight this aspect. He acknowledged the commitment of operators to promote deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion services.
Safer Gambling Week acts as an additional effort by regulated UK betting and gaming operators, supplementing existing measures to ensure responsible gambling. Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, emphasized the week's role in promoting safer gambling tools and acknowledging the contributions of third-sector organizations like GamCare, Gordon Moody, and YGAM. Miles Baron, Chief Executive of the Bingo Association, and John White, Chief Executive of Bacta, expressed their support for Safer Gambling Week, underscoring the ongoing commitment to responsible gambling practices throughout the year.
