Starting on November 1st and continuing through the 7th, 2021, “Safe Gambling Week” will be celebrated. This initiative is backed by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the Bingo Association, and the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (Bacta) with the objective of elevating standards across the industry.
“Safe Gambling Week” was first launched in 2017, initially titled “Responsible Gambling Week,” and was rebranded as “Safe Gambling Week” last year.
This year’s event will feature a range of safe gambling information, both online and in physical locations throughout the UK. The aim is to ignite a nationwide discussion about responsible betting and gaming practices.
The 2020 event generated a significant 19 million impressions on social media, representing a 19% surge from the previous year, despite the closure of betting shops, casinos, bingo halls, and arcades across the UK due to Covid-19 restrictions.
During last year’s event, website traffic for “Safe Gambling Week” saw an 18% year-over-year increase. Operators reported a rise in customers utilizing safe gambling tools, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options.
Though the global health crisis presented challenges, the previous year’s gathering was a resounding triumph. Nevertheless, I am confident that the 2021 “Safe Gaming Week” will surpass its predecessor, as betting establishments and gaming halls have resumed operations during this year’s event. Michael Dugher, the head of the Betting and Gaming Council, asserted that their members have demonstrated their dedication to responsible gaming by increasing financial support for research, education, and treatment, prohibiting television betting advertisements during live sporting events, and implementing rigorous identity and age verification procedures.
“Safe Gambling Week” provides an excellent platform to showcase these commendable efforts and underscore the distinction between the regulated industry and the unlicensed and illicit online black market, which lacks the safety measures widely adopted by our members.
Miles Baron, the chief executive of the Bingo Association, also voiced his support for the initiative, stating that “Safe Gambling Week” is an integral component of the bingo sector’s commitment to social responsibility.
Baron remarked: “As a location-based industry, we acknowledge our significant opportunity to promote safe gambling information and engage directly with patrons.”
John White, the CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, added that the initiative will direct customer attention towards the tools available to them should their gambling habits become problematic.
White stated: “As our comprehension of safe gambling expands, these tools are continuously evolving and becoming an integral aspect of our endeavors to integrate social responsibility into our commitment to consumers.”
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