BGC promises to “maintain the momentum” on safer gambling

As the new football season kicks off, the British gaming trade association has highlighted the steps it’s taken.

UK.- The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has said it will “maintain the momentum” on safer gambling and protection for young people.

As the British football season got underway, the trade association highlighted its members’ actions to improve standards in gambling adverts and to reduce the exposure of young people.

It noted its whistle-to-whistle ban on gambling ads, its ban on betting logos on children’s sports kits and the introduction of a social media code of conduct for football clubs and gambling websites.

It said the whistle-to-whistle ban has led to a 97 per cent drop in the number of gambling ads seen by children during football coverage. The initiative also contributed to a 47 per cent fall in the number of gambling ads shown by ITV during Euro 2020 when compared to the 2018 World Cup.

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said: “The start of the new football season is an exciting time for fans across the country. BGC members are proud to provide financial support in a variety of ways for the beautiful game, but it’s also important that we maintain the momentum when it comes to protecting young people from gambling harm.

“Around 30 million people in Britain – half the population – enjoy a flutter, and the vast majority do so safely. According to the Government, the rate of problem gambling is 0.5 per cent and has been stable for the past 20 years.

“But one problem gambler is one too many, so we will step up our work on protecting young people and providing help for those experiencing harm.”

Last month, the BGC welcomed a move by the social media platform Snapchat to allow users in the UK to opt out from seeing gambling adverts. Snapchat worked with the BGC to develop the option, which gives users more control over the ads they see.