A bombardment of safer gambling messages are to be visible across online and land-based venues during the course of the next week as Safer Gambling Week hits UK shores.
The seventh iteration of the initiative runs from November 13-19, and aims to unite the industry via the promotion of tools and resources available to enable players to stay in control and signposting help and advice to those that need it.
“Safer Gambling Week is a good reminder of the work already underway by government, industry and the regulator to prevent harm,” stated Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew.
“The measures outlined in our white paper will help protect those most at risk of gambling-related harm while allowing those that choose to gamble to do so safely.
“We are taking action to prevent gambling addiction, improve safer gambling tools and strengthen messaging to stop people incurring potentially life-changing losses.
“We welcome the gambling industry using this week to increase uptake and awareness of this important issue.”
SGW 2023, organised by the Betting and Gaming Council, Bacta, Lotteries Council and Bingo Association, will look to build on “last year’s successful event”.
This saw around 200,000 accounts set deposit limits during the month, an increase of 12.5 per cent year-on-year. In addition, 61 per cent of players set a deposit limit for the first time.
Furthermore, the event also “smashed previous social media records”, generating nearly 30 million impressions on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, a 21 per cent increase on 2021.
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, 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 practice and ensure people in Britain are provided with the safest gambling opportunities in the world.”
Safer Gambling Week aims to provide an opportunity “to go even further by encouraging businesses and organisations to start a conversation”, not only with staff and customers, but also with their friends and family.
“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,” commented Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the BGC.
“Core to this is our commitment to empower customers with the knowledge and tools to bet safely all year round.
“We also use the week to highlight the outstanding work that third sector organisations deliver, such as GamCare who provide treatment and operate the National Gambling Helpline, Gordon Moody who provide residential treatment and YGAM who educate young people on the dangers of harmful gambling.
“The Betting and Gaming Council is committed to building on its record on safer gambling, preventing harm and supporting those who need help. Safer Gambling Week is just one of the ways the whole industry work together to do this.”
