IGRG to promote ‘open and inclusive conversation’ during Responsible Gambling Week 2019

The Industry Group For Responsible Gambling (IGRG) has outlined plans to bring the UK and Irish gambling industries together as part of this year’s Responsible Gambling Week 2019.

The aim of the campaign, which will take place from November 7 – November 13, is to promote an industry-wide conversation regarding safer gambling methods, as well as the promotion of tools, advice and help available to punters.

John Hagan, chairman of the IGRG, commented: “We are confident that Responsible Gambling Week, now in its third year, will be our biggest campaign yet, but this is not just about one week in the year, it is about promoting safer gambling all year round. 

“We want to make this an open and inclusive conversation, connecting with the widest possible audience, including those who do not think messages about responsible gambling are aimed at them. We want to take the message about safer gambling even further this year, through our own social channels, with the support of our partners inside the industry and beyond.”

The week will involve over 120,000 staff from across the gambling industry, with further backing from gaming machine operators and pubs across the UK and Ireland.

In the UK, the IGRG will spearhead the campaign while the Irish element of the campaign will be led by the Irish Bookmakers Association. The duo will focus upon delivering information on the initiatives that are available to punters.

Neil McArthur, chief executive of the UK Gambling Commission, added: “The week’s strapline, ‘Let’s talk about safer gambling’, is an important message not only for customers but also for the staff and industry leaders whose role is to look out for their customers. 

“It provides an opportunity for people across the gambling industry, no matter what their role is, to focus on what part they can play to make gambling safer and reduce gambling harms”.

Anna Hemmings, chief executive of GamCare, concluded: “Safer gambling is a key priority for GamCare, and we are pleased to support initiatives that promote and extend safer gambling messaging, such as RG Week. In particular, we are delighted to be offering training to youth-facing professionals through our national youth education programme: BigDeal. 

“This focuses on delivering education to young people directly, as well as the youth workforce to promote more informed choices about gambling behaviour and an understanding of the potential for harm. As usual, if anyone has any concerns about their gambling, they will be able to get in touch with us at any time for help and support via the National Gambling Helpline.”