UKGC enhances consumer safeguards.
A team from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has confirmed that they're introducing new consumer protection measures. These measures focus on stricter age controls and advertising guidelines to tackle problem gambling. The industry supports these regulations. Let's dive into the details of what these regulations entail.
Limiting VIP Age to 25
Neil McArthur, the CEO of UKGC, welcomed a set of new guidelines that licensed UK gambling providers will have to follow from July. The first major rule is about VIP age limits. Players below the age of 25 will no longer be allowed to participate in VIP programs. Regular players, however, will face restrictions on their gaming intensity.
The team, which consists of several industry representatives, agreed on a minimum of 2.5 seconds for each spin in all slot machines. Furthermore, functions like slam stops, turbo buttons, and split screens will be removed. These features are said to "encourage intensive gaming" which could potentially lead to a "loss of control". This is to prevent any gambling-related damage. McArthur added,
"By collaborating with operators and seeking the opinions of individuals who've experienced harm from gambling, we've made significant strides. But there's always more work to be done."
The authority also reminded the operators that anyone considered for VIP offers must undergo "rigorous checks" on their spending and gambling patterns. There also needs to be "a detailed description of this decision-making process by a senior member of staff".
VIP Focus Since January
The VIP debate was sparked by the UKGC's findings published in January. They focused on the VIP activities of nine leading UK providers. It was revealed that even though only 2% of customers are VIPs, they make up 83% of total deposits. This led to discussions in The Guardian newspaper. The UKGC reported,
"Operators must improve how they interact with VIP customers, we've urged the industry to make faster progress. We've also taken decisive action against operators who fail to safeguard consumers. If behavior remains unchanged, we'll take even more stringent action."
To address this, the UKGC set up a working group at the end of January. Around 30 leading companies were involved in creating new guidelines to make VIP betting safer. GVC Holdings, Sky Betting and Gaming, SG Gaming, and Playtech were among them. The BGC (Betting and Gaming Council) coordinated this campaign.
Advertising Regulations Adopted
The group also worked on changing advertising practices. They aim to reduce the amount of online ads on social networks that young people and vulnerable individuals see. To do this, they'll create a list of negative search terms, such as "How do I self-exclude from gambling?".
Furthermore, they'll adopt a "more consistent use of customer data" to ensure that social media ads don't target these vulnerable groups. The aim is to ensure that ads refer to the age of 25+ to protect young people. The UKGC expects the introduction of a code of conduct that all the BGC members will follow.
Cross-Industry Forum for Adtech
A cross-industry adtech forum will also be set up to maintain the highest industry standards. This is to ensure that security standards are continuously updated to match new advertising technologies. McArthur emphasized,
"We're asking operators to actively collaborate with us. We believe that while some progress has been made, we need to take these challenges further and faster to deliver quick and significant changes for consumers in key areas."
The BGC (Betting and Gaming Council) Chair, Brigid Simmonds, expressed satisfaction with the hard work and commitment of the members. She thinks that "substantial progress" has been made. Simmonds said,
"It's vital that the industry unites to address the most crucial issues. I welcome these current measures and agree with the Gambling Commission that there's more work to do and we must continue to rise to this ongoing challenge."
Each BGC member must implement these changes within the next three months. The UKGC plans to conduct a formal consultation before incorporating these measures into its regulations. A detailed work plan will be published in September 2020 along with the final Code of Conduct.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
