We are on a mission to raise the profile of safer gambling
Betting and gaming is enjoyed by around 22.5 million people in the UK each month and with the launch of this year’s Safer Gambling Week we are on a mission to further strengthen awareness about safer gambling.
Raising standards in our world class industry is the priority for the BGC every day of the year, but Safer Gambling Week is that rare opportunity to unite every stakeholder and combine and concentrate our activity into a single week, with a single mission, to raise the profile of safer gambling.
In short, Safer Gambling Week aims to encourage all those involved in the industry – from employees to players – to be more attentive to safer gambling practices. The initiative looks to prevent gambling harm and promote more responsible play, both online and in land-based venues.
It is not said nearly enough, but betting and gaming is hugely popular leisure activity enjoyed safely by the overwhelming majority who choose to do it. Indeed, millions of adults in Britain enjoy a bet, on the lottery, on sports, in bingo halls and online. It is a proud part of our British culture and heritage.
And the vast majority do so safely and responsibly. The most recent NHS Health Survey for England – considered the gold standard for health surveys – found just 0.4 per cent of the adult population struggle with their gambling. These are numbers the alcohol industry could only dream of.
The obvious popularity of betting, part of the history and heritage of communities across the country, and the fact so many enjoy it without experiencing adverse issues, is testament to the outstanding standards already established in the regulated betting and gaming sector.
But there is always more that can be done. That’s why our members voluntarily contributed over £170m to tackle problem gambling and gambling related harm over the last four years, and why we are so passionate about promoting Safer Gambling Week.
As with anything in life, it is always good to think about how you enjoy spending your leisure time. if, like me, that involves having a regular flutter, it’s important to talk about it and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to stay in control and gamble safely.
All BGC members are incredibly proud of the vast suite of safer gambling tools they actively promote to help people manage their relationship and interaction with betting and gaming, including deposit limits, time limits and self-exclusion.
And this works – the statistics tell us that. The number of customers using safer gambling tools soared thanks to Safer Gambling Week last year. 54 per cent of players setting deposit limits during the week, did so for the first time. And the number of players actively setting a reality check during SGW rose by over 300 per cent for the second year in a row.
But we are a competitive bunch, and I know we will all be striving to beat that number again this year round.
It is also worth noting, none of these tools are available on unsafe and unregulated black market sites, which have been sadly growing in number in recent years. A recent study commissioned by the BGC found 1.5m Brits staked up to £4.3bn on this black market each year.
You will not find these illegal operators offering these tools – or promoting Safer Gambling Week. Because they are not like BGC members, who know that safer gambling is the only foundation for a sustainable industry.
The entire Safer Gambling Week campaign was constructed to spark a conversation and cut through the misunderstandings that often exist around betting. And we know this focussed promotion works.
The week is also intended to promote the various helplines and support charities that are available out there for those who are struggling. Whether that be the Gamcare helpline which offers 24/7 support or the National Gambling Treatment Service, or the huge number of expert treatment services, funded by voluntary donations from BGC members.
Spreading the word on social media is also a very important part of the campaign, as it promotes these services and tools to those who may have not seen them before.
Safer Gambling Week 2023 smashed previous social media records, generating over 50m impressions across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. We are aiming to achieve even higher results this year.
All of this work shows that our commitment to raising standards and promoting responsible betting and gaming all year round is unrelenting, backed by the 109,000 people who work in this industry, to deliver this with a really big impact.
It is such a shame then, when anti-gambling campaigners, who oppose anything and everything our members do, treat Safer Gambling Week with such disdain. Safer Gambling Week works, any impartial observer would agree, and it deserves support, not spite.
Whatever they say, we will carry on this critical work, united in our resolve, not just for one week, but every week of the years ahead.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
