source;123rf.com Ten of the UK's leading gambling operators have teamed up to deliver a package of safer gambling commitments to tackle the harm that can be caused to customers and young people.
The newly created Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) was officially launched last week to provide support to the United Kingdom Gambling Commission's (UKGC) nationwide strategy to reduce the harm caused by gambling.
Comprising of five core commitments and 22 new actions, the new initiative for safer gambling, is aimed at preventing underage gambling, protecting younger gamblers, supporting treatment for those harmed by gambling and generally promoting a culture of safer gambling.
Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) chairperson Brigid Simmonds OBE said of the launch:
“The Betting and Gaming Council welcomes these commitments from the chief executives.
“This is a major step towards preventing underage gambling and addressing harm.
“Working together as an industry we will create a culture of safer gambling – increasing the competency of professionals who educate young people, increasing support for treatment, strengthening and expanding codes of practice and empowering consumers. These are commitments that the BGC will champion and drive forward to build public and institutional trust in our industry.”
Young Gamblers Central to BGC Aims
A key action to be implemented is a newly established four-year national programme, created by two charities, GamCare and the Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM), aimed at educating young people. The two charities will work together with young people, their families and the youth professional workforce to raise understanding and awareness of gambling associated risks.
BGC members, which include some of the UK's leading bingo and gambling operators such as bet365, Caesars, Flutter Entertainment, Genting, GVC (LON: GVC), Playtech, Rank Group PLC (LON: RNK), Sky Betting & Gaming and William Hill. are also expected to implement new codes of conduct for sponsorship, direct and affiliate marketing, with an independent monitoring and evaluation process put in place.
Peter Jackson, the CEO of Flutter Entertainment said:
“These commitments are an important step forward for the sector in their own right and also signal a genuine desire to ensure that acting responsibly is at the heart of our businesses,”
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They saythey want safer gambling in the UK but thats their money