-
The Minister has written to the Chief Executives of
five leading online gambling operators asking them to take
extra steps to protect players at this time of heightened
risk.
-
He will also host a virtual roundtable with major
problem gambling treatment and support organisations on the
impacts of coronavirus.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has
requested regular intelligence from the industry on patterns of
gambling during the coronavirus outbreak, including how operators
are managing the risk of problem gambling and what more companies
can do to promote safer gambling messaging during the current
crisis.
Culture Minister has written to the Chief
Executives of five leading online gambling operators - Bet 365,
GVC, Skybet, William Hill and Flutter - and the trade body the
Betting and Gaming Council - to:
- Request regular and comprehensive internal data around online
gambling habits as a result of the ongoing lockdown measures;
- Remind them of their responsibilities and encourage extra
steps to protect players at this time of heightened risk;
- Call for a greater prominence of safer gambling messaging
within their advertising aimed at existing and potential
customers across television, radio, online and print media. This
should more clearly warn of risks and signpost people to sources
of support, such as GambleAware.
The latter action follows the Advertising Standards Authority
(ASA) announcing an increase in gambling-related complaints since
the start of the coronavirus epidemic. DCMS has requested further
details from the ASA on the scale and trends of these complaints.
These measures will support DCMS and the Gambling Commission to
make a full assessment of the impact of the current circumstances
on gambling habits, monitor whether risks are materialising, to
what extent operators are taking action, and whether the current
regulations and voluntary measures by the industry are sufficient
to prevent an increase in gambling-related harm.
Although there is no firm evidence at this stage, there are
concerns that the current social distancing measures could lead
to an increase in problem gambling online with people in lockdown
and internet usage up.
This follows reports received by the Gambling Commission of a
recent increase in consumer activity around online slots, poker,
casino gaming and virtual sports, following the cancellation of
most live sport and the closure of all land-based gambling
premises. Players of online casino games, for instance, have been
identified by the Commission as over three times more likely to
be problem gamblers than those who take part in general sports
betting.
, Minister for Sport,
Tourism and Heritage, said:
As we stay at home and spend more time online, it is vital that
no stone is left unturned in protecting people from gambling
related harm.
Whilst overall gambling participation has fallen in recent
weeks and the industry has made notable contributions to
support the national response, we must take proactive steps
now, and keep these measures under review.
I expect patterns of play to be closely monitored so we can
move quickly if there is any evidence of problem gambling
increasing. I also want more to be done to promote responsible
gambling during the pandemic.
The Minister will also host a virtual roundtable with major
problem gambling treatment and support organisations in the
coming weeks. This will provide an opportunity to discuss the
impacts of coronavirus, to assess trends in service use, how
remote treatment provision is working and an assessment of
current self-exclusion measures.
The government has already taken strong steps to ensure consumers
are protected from gambling related harm including introducing a
ban on gambling with credit cards, which came into effect across
Great Britain on 14 April 2020. At the end of last month it also
became mandatory for all online gambling operators to integrate
with Gamstop, the online self exclusion tool, ensuring that
consumers only need to sign up once to be blocked from all
licensed online gambling.
The Government has also already announced that it will review the
Gambling Act to ensure it is fit for the digital age. Further
details about the review will be provided in due course.
ENDS
Notes to editors
On 25 March 2020 the Gambling Commission wrote to all online
operators to make clear expectations on consumer protection and
compliance with licence conditions.
On 7 April 2020 the Advertising Standards Authority introduced a
new process for the public to report inappropriate advertising.
There are robust requirements for operators to safeguard players
across every form of gambling. All operators must adhere to these
rules if they wish to operate in the British market.
The Gambling Commission has a range of powers to take strong
action against any company that breaks the rules, whether online
or in land-based premises.
