The gambling industry in the United Kingdom is gearing up for Safer Gambling Week 2020, which will take place from November 19th through 25th, 2020. The event is led by major industry bodies including the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the Bingo Association (BA), and the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (bacta).
This year’s initiative is a continuation of the successful Responsible Gambling Week launched in 2017, which aimed to raise awareness about safer gambling practices. While operators in the gambling sector promote responsible gambling year-round, Safer Gambling Week provides an opportunity to intensify the focus on this important issue and engage in meaningful conversations about how individuals can bet responsibly with their peers, staff, and family members.
BGC’s Commitment to Safer Gambling
Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), expressed the organization’s commitment to promoting safer gambling standards. “Safer Gambling Week is a fantastic initiative which the BGC is proud to play a leading role in,” Dugher stated. “This awareness campaign is now in its fourth year, and it has achieved a significant increase in engagement at all levels on the tools and support available to customers.”
According to Dugher, the campaign achieved over 25 million impressions on social media last year, setting a new benchmark for the initiative. This highlights the extensive reach and impact of the campaign across various platforms.
Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dugher also pointed out the steps taken during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote safer gambling. In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, the BGC introduced a 10-pledge action plan designed to enhance safer gambling practices. Additionally, members of the BGC voluntarily agreed to remove TV and radio gaming advertisements, replacing them with safer gambling messages or donating the advertising slots to charity.
As the industry recovers from the impact of lockdowns, Dugher expressed optimism about the success of Safer Gambling Week 2020, saying, “As businesses emerge from lockdown, I’m looking forward to this year’s Safer Gambling Week being a tremendous success.”
