UK licensed operators should support their regulator’s “9 ways to keep yourself safe when gambling” campaign

The Gambling Commission has launched its “9 ways to keep yourself safe when gambling” awareness campaign.

This campaign should be welcomed by UK-licensed gambling operators because it goes some way towards redressing a balance that many believe has gone out of kilter since the Commission’s Chief Executive Neil McArthur stated in April 2019:

“We need to shift the focus from ‘responsible gambling’ to ‘safer gambling’. Responsible gambling suggests that the individual customer is principally in charge of keeping themselves safe. By focusing on safer gambling we want to emphasise that there is a clear onus on gambling operators to protect their customers”.

It is wholly correct that, in pursuit of the second and third licensing objectives under the Gambling Act 2005, all such operators must ensure that they conduct their gambling businesses in a manner that:

  • ensures gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and
  • protects children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

That carries with it a responsibility to use a range of indicators to identify those of their customers whose behaviour displays markers of gambling related harm and to proactively interact in an effective manner with such customers in order to ensure they are adequately protected. In those and other respects, it is abundantly clear that UK licensed operators have a responsibility to focus on keeping their customers safe.

However, it would be unreasonable to suggest that the very considerable majority of adults who (a) do not fall to be categorised as ‘problem gamblers’ or (b) are not at risk of becoming ‘problem gamblers’, and who choose of their own volition to spend some of their leisure time and money gambling, are entitled to abandon all sense of personal responsibility when doing so.

The Gambling Commission does not of course suggest that. It has accepted that “most people who gamble do so safely most of the time” but adds, correctly, that “gambling can be harmful for some”.

However, with:

a view has arguably been adopted in some quarters that the responsibility for all adverse consequences of gambling activity rests solely with those who provide facilities for gambling.

Against that background, UK-licensed operators should place their wholehearted support behind the Gambling Commission’s campaign that identifies the following nine ways in which consumers can keep themselves safe by gambling in a responsible manner:

1)   Feel it’s getting too much? Talk to someone
There are a number of gambling support groups available if you feel your gambling is getting out of control or too much. More information about the signs of problem gambling can be found on the Gambleaware and Gamcare websites. They also provide general information about gambling, including how to gamble safely and where to get help if you or someone you know has problems with their gambling.

2)  Ask yourself why you are gambling 
Are you gambling to escape debt or as a way to make quick money? Think carefully about your motivations to gamble. Gambling shouldn’t be seen as the answer to improving your personal finances. If you have concerns about money, speak to a financial adviser or student support services.

3)    Monitor how often you’re gambling online
Websites must give you access to historic account activity. This means you can see exactly when, how much and what you’ve been gambling on over time and make well-informed choices about what to do next.

4)  Keep track of how much time you’ve spent gambling – With a reality check, you can set alerts to pop up on screen, which help you to monitor the time spent gambling either online or on gaming machines in a betting shop.

5)    Limit how much you can spend
If you’re concerned about how much money you’re gambling, you can set a limit on how much you spend. You can also set a limit on how much you spend on gaming machines in a betting shop.

6)    Give yourself a timeout
During a timeout, you can block yourself from gambling online for a set amount of time, of up to 6 weeks.

7)      Need a longer break? Self-exclude from gambling firms for a minimum of 6 months
If you think you are spending too much time or money gambling – whether online or in gambling premises – you can ask to be self-excluded. This is when you ask the company to stop you from gambling with them for a period of time. The exclusion will last for a minimum of least six months. Self-exclusion can be used if you think you have a problem with gambling and want help to stop. An online multi-operator self-exclusion scheme, known as GAMSTOP, has been available since April 2018. A large number of gambling websites (but not all) are participating. To find out more about GAMSTOP and to register, visit their website.

8)   Read the terms and conditions
Did you know almost 80% of gamblers haven’t read the terms and conditions on the websites they are gambling on? By taking the time to read the T&Cs, you can ensure you understand exactly what you are gambling on, and what restrictions are attached to promotions and bonus offers (such as a minimum spend level before the bonus is paid) – this will help you make an informed decision.

9)   Make sure the website you’re gambling with is licensed
Make sure you’re gambling with a Gambling Commission licensed business. This means you’ll be protected by gambling and consumer protection rules in Great Britain. Licensed gambling businesses must display that they are licensed and provide a link to our licence register where you can see what type of activities they are allowed to offer and also if we have taken any regulatory action against them.

National Gambling Helpline on Freephone 0808 8020 133