UK Gambling Commission responds to APPG findings
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has countered a damning report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) which called for a total ban on gambling advertising as well as other measures. The UKGC finds these demands unfounded, as do the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) and the Advertising Association (AA).
Unfounded Criticism
The UKGC is dealing with serious allegations from the responsible APPG, with a recent document procedurally dismissing the commission's ability to oversee the gaming industry. It calls for an overall ban on gambling advertisements and in-play betting. In a statement, the UKGC refutes these claims, stating that they don't align with reality.
The UKGC highlights several protective measures it has implemented. These include a ban on credit card payments that recently came into effect on April 14th. The regulator has also set up a working group consisting of staff members and industry representatives, who have been developing new consumer protection guidelines, such as a minimum spin time of 2.5 seconds on slot machines.
The UKGC has also focused on stricter regulations for online gambling advertising to better safeguard vulnerable groups. Moreover, a consultation on future VIP practices will be unveiled within the following week, aiming at improved gaming experiences and stricter customer interactions.
UKGC's Role in Question
The UKGC maintains that it is actively working to reduce gambling harm and prioritizes consumer safety and protection. The UKGC is committed to ensuring gambling in the UK is safer. The claim that the UKGC is unfit for supervision is baseless.
The UKGC responds to accusations in the APPG report, which are based on the National Audit Office's (NAO) claim in February. The report suggested that the UKGC is unable to fully utilize its consumer protection powers due to a funding disparity between the regulatory body and certain companies it oversees. The UKGC stated that it is in dialogue with the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) to address this problem.
BGC's Stand
The recently-established BGC also backs up the UKGC's position. In a statement, the BGC shared its own financial record in its initiatives to improve player protection. Recently, the BGC's top five members - GVC, William Hill, and SkyBet - pledged nearly €111 million for improved treatment of problem gamblers in the UK.
Since the inception of the BGC, the industry has undergone several changes, such as adopting stricter promotion of deposit limits, monitoring of gaming spending, and stricter age and identity verification regulations. The BGC is adamant about further raising the standard of safer gambling.
In a press release, the association mentioned claims that could only be satisfied if all gambling was banned. The association cautioned against extremist measures, as they might cause players to turn to unlicensed providers. The regulated industry employs over 100,000 people and generates £3 billion in taxes yearly.
The AA likewise did not address the UKGC's criticism but rejected the APPG's demand for a total gambling advertising ban. The AA, which represents advertisers, agencies, media, and research firms, suggests that such a measure is simply unnecessary. It could, in fact, have negative market consequences.
The AA emphasizes the importance of gambling operators and their agencies to follow the strict standards of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Gambling Commission, which require responsible behavior and safeguarding of problem gamblers as well as under-18s. Only necessary changes should be made if warranted by evidence.
Currently, a total ban isn't necessary. This action could have massive ramifications, specifically affecting the cross-media support of sports enjoyed by millions of UK citizens. Last month, the ASA published new research findings stating that children's exposure to gambling advertising, alongside their TV viewing habits, continues to decline.
The ASA's 2019 report on the monitoring of children's exposure to gambling advertising revealed that kids saw an average of 2.5 gambling ads on TV per week last year. This figure has since returned to the 2008 and 2009 levels, when children viewed an average of 2.2 and 2.7 gambling ads a week, respectively. No response has been made by the APPG to these figures.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
