BGC pledges to maintain safer gambling momentum. Michael Dugher.

BGC pledges to maintain safer gambling momentum

Following the publication of a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) report into gambling participation and problem gambling prevalence, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has pledged to “keep up the momentum” in its quest to raise standards across the industry. 

Data from the UKGC showed that problem gambling rates across the UK had dropped from 0.6% to 0.3% over 2020, however the regulator noted that it is ‘not a statistically significant decrease at the 95% level’ of confidence.

The study also showed that the rate of those gamblers classed as being at ‘moderate risk’ of harm fell from 1.2% to 0.9% between 2019 and 2020.

In response to this data, the BGC stated that this fall demonstrates that the trade body’s ‘work over the past 12 months on promoting safer gambling is having an impact’. The BGC emphasised that it will also continue to ‘work tirelessly to drive up standards in the regulated betting and gaming industry’.

Wes Himes, the BGC’s Executive Director for Standards and Innovation, explained: “Since being established in 2019, we have worked tirelessly to drive up standards in the regulated betting and gaming industry and promote safer gambling.

“Our initiatives have included encouraging deposit limits, investing more in research, education and treatment, and introducing tough new rules on VIP schemes and game design.

“One problem gambler is one too many, however, and we are determined to keep up the momentum in the months ahead.

“For example, we’re looking at how we extend filtering for online ads, and are working with online platforms on opt outs for betting advertising. We look forward to engaging with the government’s gambling review to ensure a safer gambling environment for our millions of customers.”

 

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