BETTING & GAMING COUNCIL HAILS COVID SAFER GAMBLING MESSAGES SUCCESS

The UK’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) says the number of safer gambling messages displayed by operators has more than doubled since it launched its COVID action plan.

Launched in March, when the UK entered its first lockdown, the 10-point plan included the pledge to significantly increase the number of safer gambling messages online. 

According to the BGC, the number of safer gambling messages has actually rocketed by over 100%, and the number of customers receiving such messages directly has risen by 150%. 

There has also been a 25% rise in the number of interventions, carried out by operators who detected players were spending more money or time gambling than prior to the pandemic. 

Reflecting on the news BGC chief executive, Michael Dugher, said:

“The Betting and Gaming Council was set up last year as a standards body committed to driving big changes across much of the regulated industry.These latest findings show that the BGC has led the way and is achieving real results on safer gambling.

“The introduction of the ten-pledge plan at the start of lockdown was further evidence of success – and our members re-affirmed their support for the pledges when the second lockdown began.”

Looking ahead, the BGC is expected to introduce more measures, including an agreement that at least 20% of all TV and radio advertising should consist of safer gambling messages. 

AYO.NEWS says:

On the surface this seems like a success, but in reality the number of safer gambling messages is not as important as the effectiveness of specific campaigns. For example, simply increasing the number of safer gambling messages posted on social media, does not mean anymore people are actually seeing them or engaging. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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