The Senet Group open to creating a ‘safer gambling’ levy

Industry-independent watchdog The Senet Group has tentatively backed the potential introduction of a statutory ‘safer gambling’ levy imposed on UK gambling operators.

Last week, Senet Group Chair Gillian Wilmot, issued the following statement, regarding the watchdog’s current position on developing a new industry levy designed to ‘fund gambling research, education and treatment’.

“The Senet Group is committed to working in partnership across the industry to raise standards and improve player protections”.

The industry’s role in tackling problem gambling and creating better standards had been deeply criticised last December by Kate Lampard, the Chair of sector charity GambleAware.

Lampard warned industry stakeholders that they face losing the public’s trust, as the majority of operators are failing to make sufficient donations to charities tackling problem gambling.

The safer gambling levy has been propositioned by GambleAware and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), and seeks to replace the current voluntary donation framework, which has been deemed as inefficient by stakeholders.

In 2017, GambleAware stated that it had fallen short of reaching its £10 million funding target set by its Responsible Gambling Strategy initiative.

Detailing further Senet Group insight, Gillian Wilmot backed the watchdog’s efforts to date on tackling and raising awareness problem gambling at a consumer level;

“Our responsible gambling messaging, “When the Fun Stops, Stop”, seeks to educate and inform players and their families and friends about moderation when gambling. Our campaign has 80+% recognition rates and evidence shows that it changes behaviours for the better. This is a significant element in the range of activities delivered under the Research, Education and Treatment banner.”

“If a statutory levy on gambling businesses is the only way to generate the money needed for work across the RET agenda, then this change has our support. The Senet Group, is committed to working in partnership across the industry and with the Gambling Commission. Senet can play a valuable role in delivering research and education messaging which creates player behavioural change and reduces the risk of problem gambling.”