BETTER CHANGE STATESIDE


positively around financial risk and that they use the data available to them to make good, informed decisions. Better Change is committed to working proactively and


positively to uphold an industry where people can thrive and great careers can be built. Reducing gambling harm is an important part of this White Paper especially for the online sector where much of the focus lies. It is pleasing to see that the recommendations made are sensible and evidence based as in the run up to the release of the white paper the debate had become anything but that. Polarised opinions and an infiltration of questionable statements and data surrounding the levels of gambling related harm as well as gambling related suicides were made. The integrity of treatment and research of gambling harm funded by industry donations was questioned with no evidence and the levels of funding from the industry towards the research, education and treatment (RET) of gambling harm were criticised as being insufficient and ineffective despite the big 4 operators and the Betting and Gaming Counsel (BGC) coming good on their commitment to increase RET funding from £10 million to £100 million in the past 4 years. These figures are made public on the UKGC website and according to their statistics on participation and problem gambling for the year to March 2023 problem gambling rates have fallen to 0.3% of the population. Despite this the government have proposed a mandatory levy be introduced to fund research, education and treatment. Those who campaigned for this believe it will make more funding available, I hope this decision does not come back to haunt these groups but to introduce a levy surely the scale of the issue and level of provision needed must be established and as previously mentioned statistics are showing a decline in gambling harm. It is our hope that the statutory levy will put an end to the toxic debate around funding which has not only served to raise the stigma of gambling but has potentially prevented access to much needed support for individuals suffering from the effects of gambling harm because of someone’s political stance which is deplorable. Instead, I hope the levy will bring together many organisations and collaboration can truly be at the heart of getting individuals the help and support they need. At Better Change we are committed to playing our part in


positively re-enforcing the measures aimed at protecting those at risk whilst continuing to provide a great experience for those that gamble safely, allowing the sector to thrive. A review of online stake limits and a move to level the playing field with offline providers is long overdue. The reputation of the offline gambling sector has been unfairly tarnished by stories of runaway and life changing losses of those gambling on online sites where there are currently no limits. A move to put sensible limits in place across the board to protect players, especially the young and vulnerable is welcome but along with the financial risk assessments, affordability checks and pilot of a single customer view of gambling activity it is absolutely imperative the industry work on a comprehensive framework of how to bring this information to the consumer. In relation to player protection any gambling legislation must be made for the benefit of the gambler. Without their engagement and “buy in” we will continue to employ clumsy and restrictive measures in an attempt to curtail gambling harm once it has already reached an advanced stage. This leads to difficult interactions, risks to organisations and to player safety as well as instances of disputes that often result in regulatory action or potentially


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harmful and traumatic court cases for individuals who seek redress for safer gambling failings. The introduction of a gambling ombudsman proposed in the white paper is a positive step in addressing this and it will provide valuable evidence in how cases relating to safer gambling should be resolved without the need for customers to seek “potentially costly and uncertain court action”. We have the opportunity here as a collective industry to act


decisively and confidently to promote positive play and demonstrate proactively how we can keep our players safe without the continued need to resort to reactive and restrictive practices. From the responsible use of bonuses to swift action when potential harm is identified we can demonstrate that this is a gambling act fit for the digital age. Enough of the waiting, it’s been far too long already, let’s


get to work!


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