BGC selects Gamstop to run single-customer view trial

The Betting and Gaming Council will test the use of a single-customer view to allow operators to identify at-risk players.

UK.- The industry standards association, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has selected the gambling self-exclusion provider Gamstop to run a trial of a single-customer view for gaming operators.

A single-customer view, which government minister Chris Philp has been pushing the industry to develop, would allow data to be shared so that licensed operators can use information about a player’s activity with other licensees to inform their assessments of risk.

Details about customers’ gaming with different operators would be shared, thus preventing customers who show signs of gambling problems from moving to a different operator to avoid intervention. The platform will also allow operators to get a better picture of a player’s overall spending on gaming.

BGC members will invest £1m in the trial, which is expected to be held by the end of March. The trial was delayed due to questions raised by the UK’s data watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

In October, the ICO declared that sharing customer data would be justified if it helped to prevent gambling harm.

Wes Himes, executive director for standards and innovation for the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “I am delighted with the commitment from BGC members and the significant financial investment they are undertaking to get on with delivering this scheme quickly.

“While many companies put forward proposals for this system, it was clear that Gamstop stood out from the rest. We are committed to ensuring the trial scheme, which focuses on those most at risk, is proportionate and effective.

“We are getting on with the work of change and once again, demonstrating that despite the challenges and complexities, when it comes to safer gambling, technology is our friend.”