CASINO NEWS
UK BGC states ‘commitment to safer gambling must continue’
UK industry body The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has issued a lengthy statement imploring the country’s gaming outlets to continue with its commitment to safer gambling. The statement, attributed to Michael Dugher, the group’s Chief Executive and former MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “…Live sport is just the morale boost the country needs right now. The return of sport will of course lead to an
increase in sports betting advertising. There’s always been a relationship between
many sports and betting, with racing being the most obvious example. Not only does betting provide sport with vital
funding, but it also supports the TV channels’ ability to broadcast more sport than would otherwise be possible. Millions of people enjoy gambling
occasionally, whether that’s on the National Lottery or on sports, where for many people having a bet simply adds to their enjoyment. What’s important to me, as CEO of the new
standards body, is that people are able to gamble safely and that the regulated industry is committed to the highest possible standards. That means that when it comes to
advertising, we also need the highest possible standards. That is why during lockdown, when people
were confined to their houses, increasing their screen time, often feeling isolated and bored, and for many with financial uncertainty, there was a need for even greater levels of safer gambling and an added layer of sensitivity around advertising. Gambling, including online, has fallen
significantly during lockdown. Nevertheless, since the start of the crisis,
the regulated betting and gaming industry has moved to enhance the measures which were already in place to promote more safer gambling messages across all platforms and to increase interventions like encouraging deposit limits and closing accounts.
At the end of April, our industry went
further and announced restrictions on gaming advertising. As a result, pre-booked advertising slots
were devoted to safer gambling messaging, donated to a charity, or removed completely. I had hoped that remaining major gambling operators like the National Lottery would follow our lead, but that sadly didn’t happen. This agreement by BGC members comes to
an end today, but the industry’s commitment to responsible advertising and promoting safer gambling will continue. To that end, our members – who account
for around half of all gambling advertising on TV and radio in the UK – will ensure that at least 20 per cent of all advertising on TV and radio will be safer gambling adverts. And our members will also continue to
abide by the stringent measures which are already put in place by advertising standards watchdogs. … As we happily begin to ease our way out
of lockdown, we will continue to have our foot on the gas when it comes to our commitment to safer gambling – including responsible advertising.” You can read the full statement at https://
www.casinointernational-online.com/ uk-bgc-states-commitment-to-safer-gambling- must-continue/
4 MAY/JUNE 2020
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58
