Betting and gaming standards body develops new ten-pledge plan – Michael Dugher

With the country largely in lockdown, millions of us are struggling to comprehend the unfolding situation and are feeling cut-off and anxious about the future. We are, as the First Minister has said, facing an unprecedented challenge.

Michael Dugher, Chief Exective, The Betting and Gaming Council

In this time of national emergency, with many of us self-isolating and experiencing social distancing, away from our friends and family, we need to come together as a country and watch out and look after each other. And as CEO of the new betting and gaming standards body, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), I know that this also applies to our members too.

The BGC covers betting shops, online betting and gaming, plus casinos. It was formed in order to bring the industry together to help raise standards and drive best practice.

That work has never been more important than in this time of national crisis.

Although gambling activity has fallen dramatically with the absence of sport and due to the closure of betting shop and casino closures, our commitment to safer gambling is being stepped up. It is important that we help our customers stay safe and in control of their gambling during these difficult times.

That’s why in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, BGC members have developed a new action plan with ten pledges that will govern their activity and better help customers.

The ten pledges build on actions and interventions that BGC members carry out as part of their normal safer gambling operations; however, the BGC will now require heightened monitoring, tailored responses and new action to address the unprecedented situation of social distancing and home working.

The new pledges demonstrate the BGC’s determination to ensure the highest standards are implemented, and cover the following areas:

l Increase safer gambling messages across all sites, apps digital channels and direct to all customers, reminding them of the safer gambling tools available

l Step up interventions if customers increase time and spend beyond normal pre-crisis patterns

l Actively promote deposit limits through increased monitoring of customer activity

l Action to ensure appropriate and responsible advertising including monitoring volume

l Report all illegal, rogue advertising from black market online operators – a market worth around £1.4 billion in the UK

l One-strike-and-you’re-out policy where affiliates (third party promoters) breach pledges

l Signpost help to GAMCARE and the National Gambling Helpline and GamStop for self-exclusion

l Commitment to ensuring funding for Research, Education and Treatment so that these services can stay available to customers

l Welfare checks and well-being help for staff

l Supporting the national effort with volunteers and facilities

The BGC’s pledges will come into force immediately to help ensure that the highest safeguards are in place and action is taken to protect anyone betting online who may be more vulnerable as a result of the crisis.

The action plan is comprehensive and, crucially, it is also compulsory for all members of the BGC. As a body, we represent around 90 per cent of the UK betting and gaming industry (excluding lotteries).

Our ten pledge action plan also follows calls from industry regulator the Gambling Commission, as well as from UK Gambling Minister Nigel Huddleston, for the industry to demonstrate heightened consumer protection and responsible marketing. This has been heard loud and clear by our members and the action plan is a sign of our commitment.

As a nation, we are at our best when we come together. We will come through this crisis, but we all have a role to play. Our industry already has a strong track record of support for charities and local community groups across Scotland. We will play our full part in the collective national response to COVID-19, whether through help with volunteers or resources or facilities. But it also means us helping to protect people most at risk in these extraordinarily difficult and challenging times. I am determined that we do just that.

Michael Dugher, Chief Exective, The Betting and Gaming Council

* If you’re worried about your gambling activity, talk to a friend or loved one, or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. You can also visit www.gamcare.org.uk or www.begambleaware.org.

* Self exclusion is another option. Gamstop allows you to restrict your online gambling activities, preventing you from using gambling websites and apps. It takes just a few minutes to register at www.gamstop.com