UK Safer Gambling Week confirmed

The rebranded cross-sector Safer Gambling Week to take place in the UK in November will focus on customer intervention.

UK.- The renamed Safer Gambling Week will take place from November 19 – 25 with a focus on customer intervention.

Supported by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), Bingo Association (BA) and the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (bacta), the rebranded initiative replaces Responsible Gambling Week, which has run annually since 2017.

The initiative aims to promote continued awareness of education around safer gambling.

A new website safergamblinguk.org is online, but the initiative’s strapline “Let’s Talk About Safer Gambling” will remain the same.

Promotional artwork for this year’s campaign, including posters, web banners, social media collaterals, contact cards and leaflets, are available for participants. Materials focus on six messages which will each provide details of free, confidential contact points for information and advice.

The key messages for this years campaign will be: 

• Ask yourself…  have you carried on past your spending limit?
• Just a heads up… it’s good to set yourself limits.
• Just a heads up…  it’s easy to lose track of time when gambling.
• Play smart…  know when to stop.
• Remember…  friends and family are more important than gambling.
• Remember…  gambling is not a way to make money.

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “Safer Gambling Week is a fantastic initiative which the BGC are proud to play a leading role in. This awareness campaign is now in its fourth year and it has achieved a significant increase in engagement at all levels on the tools and support available to customers.

“We achieved over 25 million impressions on social media in 2019, setting a new benchmark for the campaign, which demonstrates the breadth and reach of the campaign.

“Our members are determined to raise standards and as part of this year’s campaign can point to significant changes that we have introduced, including new cooling-off periods on gaming machines, substantially increased funding for research, education and treatment; a ‘whistle to whistle’ ban on advertising during sport; new ID and age-verification checks and a ban on betting with credit cards.

“And during the Covid-19 outbreak, we have published a ten-pledge action plan to promote safer gambling, while our members also voluntarily agreed to remove TV and radio gaming advertising, replacing their slots with safer gambling messages or donating them to charity.

“As businesses emerge from lockdown, I’m looking forward to this year’s Safer Gambling Week being a tremendous success.”

Miles Baron, Chief Executive of The Bingo Association, said: “Safer Gambling Week is an important part of the bingo industry’s commitment to social responsibility and provides a useful focal point for highlighting activity and support that is available throughout the year. 

“As businesses with venues, the sector recognises the important opportunity we have to promote safer gambling messages and engage directly with customers.”

The BGC this week said the industry may need extra government support to get through the Covid-19 crisis.