Published: 30.04.2020, 12:34
5 min read
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on, minors and vulnerable members of society are at risk of forming gambling addictions. Because of the increased risks, MP Nigel Huddleston penned a letter to a few of the gambling industry’s biggest players: Skybet, Flutter, William Hill, GVC Holdings, and Bet365. The Betting and Gaming Council also received a copy.
In Huddleston’s letter, he reminded the companies’ CEOs that they must act in a socially responsible manner and urged them to take extra measures in order to protect players from gambling-related harm. He stated that, despite the fall in online gambling activity in the UK over recent weeks, the gambling industry must proactively act in consumers’ best interests.
First, Huddleston asked the companies to monitor their internal data in order to keep an eye on their customers’ online gambling habits. If a company finds activity patterns that indicate problem gambling, it should take interventional steps to rectify the matter.
Huddleston also called for each company to analyze its gambling advertisements and make sure that they all have clear warnings of potential risk. Additionally, the ads should contain some sort of reference to gambling addiction support organizations, like GambleAware.
Huddleston also stated that he would be hosting a teleconference with key organizations related to both gambling addiction and coronavirus support. There is no date set for this meeting yet, but Huddleston will arrange it at some point during the next few weeks. The teleconference will allow participants to discuss the pandemic’s impact on consumers, self-exclusion measures, remote addiction treatment, and other topics.
The DCMS Will Evaluate Online Player Activity
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) uploaded a post on its website on April 23rd, which addressed Huddleston’s letter and outlined the Department’s stance on gambling risk. According to the DCMS, it has requested ongoing data regarding gambling patterns during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The gambling industry’s operators must provide the DCMS with player analytics and explain what steps they are taking to lower risky behavior.
The DCMS then called attention to the section of Huddleston’s letter regarding advertisements. According to the Department, Huddleston’s request was related to the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) announcement that gambling-related complaints have risen since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. On April 7th, the ASA released a press statement that said the UK’s lockdown had created a “captive audience” who may seek gambling as a means to escape stress and boredom. In the statement, the ASA warned operators that they must pay strict attention to their advertisement regulation compliance. In the DCMS’ post, the Department told readers that it had contacted the ASA for further details regarding the scale of gambling-related complaints.
The post continued on to say that Huddleston’s requests would support the UK Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) and the DCMS’ efforts to assess gambling habits and monitor risks. The DCMS also stated that, despite the lack of uptick evidence at this point in time, it is possible that social distancing will lead to an surge in problem gambling. The post also mentioned that, even though the UKGC has stated that overall gambling activity has declined, there has still been a surge in online slots, e-casino gaming, virtual poker, and eSports betting activity.
The DCMS wrapped up its post by calling attention to the UK government’s recent steps to defend consumers from gambling-related harm. Some of these measures include prohibiting the use of credit cards for gambling, the mandatory online casino integration with GamStop, and the pending review (and potential amendment) of the Gambling Act.
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The Betting and Gaming Council’s Response
The Betting and Gaming Council’s (BGC) CEO, Michael Dugher, released a public response to Huddleston’s letter. Dugher stated that he welcomed Huddleston’s proactive approach and also thanked Huddleston for his recent positive feedback regarding the BGC’s 10-pledge COVID-19 action plan.
Dugher assured Huddleston that the BGC’s members are giving full priority to cooperating with the UK’s government in order to protect customers. He also said that the BGC could not speak on behalf of the National Lottery, society lotteries, arcades, and unlicensed operators. However, Dugher is sure that the government will continue to crack down on problem gambling within those areas.
Dugher noted that, regardless of the drop in total gambling, the BGC’s members are ramping up their safer gambling marketing and initiatives. He also called attention to the Council’s support of the government’s choice to ban credit cards for gambling activities and to require GamStop integration. At the time of Dugher’s letter, all of the BGC’s members were found to be in compliance with those new measures.
Dugher continued on to say that the Council’s members have received requests for user analytics from the UKGC. The BGC will work to make sure that operators provide this data as soon as possible. Furthermore, Dugher stated that the Council is placing a priority on increasing funds for research, education, and treatment (RET) of problem gambling. The BGC will work with Huddleston’s Sport, Tourism, and Heritage Department in order to ensure that the funds are allocated in an appropriate manner. The BCG’s members are trying to expand RET funding from .1% to 1% of Gross Gambling Yield by 2023.
Within Dugher’s letter, he had mentioned the BGC’s 10-pledge action plan a few times but did not give details about it. For reference, the Council has pledged to do the following actions:
- Increase the number of safe gambling messages across all gambling websites
- Increase interventions if customers show signs of developing risky gambling behaviors
- Promote deposit limits
- Ensure that gambling-related advertisements are appropriate
- Report black market operators’ advertisements
- Implement a “one-strike” policy for affiliates
- Ensure consumers are aware of GamStop’s self-exclusion services
- Provide RET funding
- Provide welfare checks for staff
- Provide the UK government with volunteers and facilities to carry out the “National Effort”
