Safer Gambling Week, an initiative to raise awareness of responsible gambling practices by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA), and the Bingo Association, kicked off yesterday.
The seventh edition, running from 13-19 November, will see safer gambling messages posted across online betting platforms and land-based facilities to “spark a national conversation about betting responsibility,” according to a press release from the organizers. The campaign has received support from the British Government, gambling operators, sports teams, and governing bodies across the United Kingdom.
The Premier League’s Brighton and Hove Albion and the Rugby Football League (RFL) added their support to the campaign with releases on their websites. UK media organizations like TalkSport and the Racing Post have also joined the campaign, with the Racing Post offering a page featuring fellow bettors’ tips and advice on responsible gambling.
While operators stress the importance of responsible gambling throughout the year and offer a wide range of tools, like account limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion services, Safer Gambling Week aims to raise awareness of the tools.
Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the BGC, said, “Safer Gambling Week is now a well-established annual event, promoting the vital safer gambling tools only available in the regulated betting and gaming sector and signposting help to those that need it. Core to this is our commitment to empower customers with the knowledge and tools to bet safely all year round.”
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), said, “Safety should be at the heart of all gambling at all times, but Safer Gambling Week affords the unique opportunity to draw even more attention to its importance.”
“It also provides the opportunity for operators to share best practices and ensure people in Britain are provided with the safest gambling opportunities in the world.”
Gambling Minister Stewart Andrew indicated the UK Government’s support of the initiative, saying, “Safer Gambling Week is a good reminder of the work already underway by [the] Government, industry, and the regulator to prevent harm. We welcome the gambling industry using this week to increase uptake and awareness of this important issue.”
This is the second Safer Gambling Week event, with the first being held in 2022. The 2022 event was considered a success, with 200,000 accounts setting deposit limits over the month, a 12.5% increase on the same month the previous year. According to reports, players using reality checks, a tool to inform players of their session time with on-screen alerts, rose by 300%.
