The UK gambling industry is preparing to prioritise safer gambling practices and betting messaging at this year’s Safer Gambling Week initiative, which is set to take place between the 18th and 24th of November.
This British initiative, collaboratively organized by the Bingo Association, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA), and the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), received tons of support from across the UK gambling sector, including the full backing of the UK Gambling Commission (UKCG), welcoming the UK’s Safer Gambling Weeks efforts for safer gambling projects for an eighth consecutive year.
Government support for 2024’s safer gambling week
The gambling industry is playing its part towards safer gambling practices.
Online casinos like Instant Casino are continually adopting more alternative payment methods, such as Netbanking casino payments.
This digital payment method – predominantly used in India – allows users to have greater control over the amount they spend, thus encouraging more responsible betting habits through effective budget management.
Furthermore, all transactions made via Netbanking payments are direct, secure, and real-time transactions that are made through a user’s Internet banking portal without the need to use a debit or credit card.
As an increasing number of casinos continue to embrace these alternative and secure payment methods, the more attention and praise the industry is receiving from the UK government, which is recognizing the gambling sector’s efforts towards providing players with safer gambling practices.
One government official who was particularly vocal about her praise for this year’s Safe Gambling Week was Baroness Twycross, the Minister for Gambling.
The minister stated how she and the UK government welcome this initiative’s efforts to underline the means and support available to prevent individuals from dealing with potentially devastating consequences of excessive gambling.
She went on to praise how this initiative is a fantastic opportunity to recognize the vital work that is being done to protect people who are at high risk of succumbing to gambling harm.
Louie French MP, the Shadow Minister of Sport and Gambling, was also full of praise for the initiative and highlighted the success of 2023’s Safer Gambling Week campaign.
He went on to remark how Safer Gambling Week has been proven to be a highly successful platform to effectively get the safer gambling message across to 22.5 million adults.
He solidified this statement by praising last year’s campaign’s remarkable achievement of gaining over 50 social media million impressions.
Safer gambling week 2024 serves as a platform for industry collaboration
Many important figures in the gambling sector, such as Andre Rhodes, Chief Executive of UKGC, believe that this year’s Safer Gambling Week is an excellent opportunity for thought leaders and key industry players in the gambling industry to collaborate towards achieving safer industry practices.
Rhodes reaffirmed the idea that safety should always remain the central priority in every facet of gambling. He adds that this year’s Safer Gambling Week offered a valuable opportunity to underline this focus on safety even more. He explains how initiatives such as 2024 Safer Gambling Week make it possible for casino operators to discuss the industry’s best practices, which in turn has made gambling in the UK one of the safest experiences worldwide.
As key figures in the industry pool together their know-how and resources, gambling operators will be better equipped to provide players with more effective support to encourage gamblers to bet responsibly.
Building on safer gambling week 2023’s record-breaking impact
In 2023, a record number of participants adopted more responsible gambling habits as a result of the astonishing efforts of the previous year’s Safer Gambling Week campaign.
In fact, of the players who set deposits during last year’s campaign, 54% of them set a limit for themselves for the first time in their lives.
Another immensely successful achievement from last year’s campaign was the number of players setting a reality check, which surged over 300% for the second consecutive year.
The reach of last year’s campaign was equally as impressive.
The 2023 Safer Gambling Week campaign achieved an astounding 50 million social media impressions across X, Facebook, and Instagram.
While the success of last year’s Safer Gambling Week was immense, the eighth rendition of this initiative aims to not only match but succeed, each achievement set from last year.
An ongoing commitment from gambling industry leaders
2024’s Safer Gambling Week is seen as an opportunity for industry leaders to reaffirm their yearly commitment to player safety and the adoption of safer gambling tools.
George McGregor, The Exclusive Director of BACTA, views this year’s Safe Gambling Week campaign as an important demonstration of the gambling sector’s dedication to their yearly efforts to encourage responsible gambling practices.
He believes this campaign ensures customers can have fun while having peace of mind that gambling operators are there for them if things start to get out of control.
With future unified efforts from the UK government, gambling platforms, regulators, and key industry stakeholders, gambling promises to continue to promote safer gambling practices.
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