The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has introduced new measures for operators to follow to protect more at-risk customers when online gambling.
Taking effect from 12 September, the new rules have followed an ‘extensive consultation’ period which found there are still failures amongst online gambling operators with regards to acting to protect those at risk from gambling harms.
The ‘stronger and more prescriptive’ rules have several requirements including flagging indicators of harm and taking action in a timely manner; implementing automated processes for strong indicators of harm and preventing marketing and new bonus offers for at-risk customers.
Other requirements under the measures mean that operators must assess their communications with customers and ensure that they begin to interact with customers at the point that they display signs of problem gambling.
Monitoring operators progress with regards to the rules, UKGC will require evidence of interaction with customers as part of regular casework. Additionally, in order to comply with the regulations, all third-party parties must also adhere to the Commission’s new directive.
Introducing the measures, UKGC CEO, Andrew Rhodes, commented: “Time and time again our enforcement cases show that some operators are still not doing enough to prevent gambling harm. These new rules, developed following an extensive consultation, make our expectations even more explicit.
“We expect operators to identify and tackle gambling harms with fast, proportionate and effective action and we will not hesitate to take tough action on operators who fail to do so.”
Moving on, UKGC is continuing its consultation on tackling problem gambling and those at financial risk from online gambling.
Furthermore, the regulator stated that it is liaising with DCMS on the Gambling Act 2005 review and the BGC on its Single Customer View initiative.