Published: 14.08.2019, 12:23
2 min read
A study in the UK has shown that the number of gambling consumers who have lodged complaints has increased overwhelmingly. According to the BBC program Panorama, the gambling operators who have registered complaints have skyrocketed. The study has established a remarkable 5000% increase in the number of gamers who have had complaints in the past five years.
The BBC Panorama report indicates that 8266 individuals have issued complaints in 2018. This number shows a sudden rise considering that 2013 only recorded 169 people with such claims.
The sharp rise that happened within just five years will be the talk of the town in the expansive UK. Some of the leading complaints included the operators failing to settle the winning bets and some gaming firms conducting activities in an unsocial manner.
Gambling Commission Reaction
Surprisingly, the rise in complaints did not shock the UKGC boss, who is tasked with the responsibility of regulating gambling activities. UK Gambling Commission director Neil McArthur was happy with the findings that he considered “positive” for the industry.
He was delighted that the gamers have learned to take responsibility for issues affecting them. He said that his commission “is pushing the industry to know its customers.” He then urged the gambling enthusiasts and citizens at large to continue with the trend.
The increase in complaints can well be compared with the rise of the betting market in the UK. Just twelve months before September 2018, consumers spent £14.4 billion. Twelve months preceding May 2018, netted £15.6 billion, which was 0.4% higher than the year that ended on September 2018.
Meanwhile, UKGC was categorical about harboring no intention to introduce maximum stake for online betting. The commission’s position contradicts the effort used to lobby the government to introduce more regulations on Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).
In an attempt to minimize gambling problems, new rules that saw the reduction of maximum stake FOBTs from £100 down to £2. The modification came into effect on April 2019.
