BGC stresses importance of responsibility as Safer Gambling Week begins

Michael Dugher, the CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has underlined that responsible gambling must be the industry’s ‘top priority all year round’ as Safer Gambling Week begins today
Image: Shutterstock

Michael Dugher, the CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has underlined that responsible gambling must be the industry’s ‘top priority all year round’ as Safer Gambling Week begins today.

Running until 7 November, the annual campaign has the support of the BGC, amusement machine trade association Bacta and the Bingo Association.

Operating since 2017, this year’s Safer Gambling Week will feature a ‘blitz of safer gambling messages’ across online and land-based advertising measures to inform a ‘nationwide conversation’ on responsible betting.

A range of operators from across the sector will participate throughout the week to encourage their staff and customers as well as the general public on safer gambling.

“Safer Gambling Week is now an established annual event,” explained Dugher. 

“We know that rates of problem gambling are low and are now falling, which is great news, but Safer Gambling Week is further evidence of the regulated industry’s determination to keep raising standards.

“Millions of people enjoy a flutter every year on the National Lottery, at the bingo, on sports, in casinos and gaming online – and the vast majority of them do so safely and responsibly. 

But one problem gambler is one too many, which is why Safer Gambling Week is so important.”

Dugher has indicated an aim to build on the figure showing that two million people now use deposit limits, one of the safer gambling tools offered by the BGC’s operator members. 

He added: “This is about building on the two million customers who now use deposit limits, and it is also about making sure that those who need help know where they can get it. We don’t want people drifting off to the unsafe, unregulated black market online.

“Safer Gambling Week brings together everyone who genuinely wants to see safer gambling including the regulator, the Government and so many cross-party MPs. For the regulated industry, safer gambling isn’t just an issue for one week of the year, it’s our top priority all year round.”

The beginning of Responsible Gambling Week comes after the announcement of the BGC’s ‘Take Time to Think’ campaign last month as a replacement for the ‘When the Fun Stops, Stop’ initiative. Through the new campaign, BGC wishes to encourage customers to control their betting behaviour via tools such as self-exclusion schemes, time outs and deposit limits.