UK Gaming Commission Announces Three New Working Groups to Tackle Regulatory Problem Areas

The UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission) has announced the formation of three new work groups to address the challenges present in the industry.

As a watchdog and regulatory body with a continued interest in player safety the UKGC will be working toward three goals – product safety, advertising standards, and VIP incentives.

In an unprecedented move…

…and following a briefing to industry leaders last October – the Commission will be working closely with industry representatives.

The companies involved in the task force are some of the best-known in the industry.

When it comes to the first challenge, safer products, developers Playtech and SG Gaming will take the lead in producing an effective Code for Product Design.

Sky Betting and Gaming will oversee the advertising technology working group while GVC will be responsible for coming up with ways to regulate the VIP incentives for gamblers.

All three groups and the companies in them will be working closely with the Betting and Gaming Council.

Three Important Challenges

The UKGC has identified three problem areas in the gambling industry that it is hoping to solve with this new initiative.

Safer products are the first on the slate…

…and refer to the guidelines for product design which would make various casino products safer. This means establishing clear guidelines on what is and what isn’t acceptable when deg any sort of igaming product.

The work groups will look into advertising too, especially the advertising of gambling to those under 18 and other sensitive groups. These groups are being d gambling services often through social media.

The group will work to find ways to limit the exposure and reduce advertising of gaming to children, young people, and sensitive adult groups.

Finally…

…the use of VIP incentives has come under fire as well. The Commission’s casework has found evidence that certain licensees have exacerbated at-risk behaviors with some of their bonus schemes and incentives.

The goal of this working group will be to ensure that bonuses, hospitality gifts, and VIP programs are in line with the objectives of making gambling fairer, safer, and crime free.

Gambling Commission chief executive Neil McArthur said:

“Consumer behaviour and technology are changing so quickly that only a bold and innovative approach will allow us to achieve a reduction in the numbers of people experiencing, or at risk from, gambling related harm.

“I’ve been encouraged by the willingness of so many operators to work with us on these challenges. We’ve set demanding timetable for progress because we cannot proceed at the speed of the slowest. If rapid progress is not made then we will have to look at other options, as making gambling safer for consumers is paramount.”

Last October the Commission has announced a launch of an industry-wide challenge to find technology solutions to protect gamblers. A kick-off event will be taking place in Birmingham in February while more details about the initiative are expected in the coming weeks.

Recently, the UKGC has also warned operators about the use of feature buy-in mechanics in slot games.

Source:

“UKGC sets industry tough challenges to accelerate progress to raise standards and reduce gambling harm”, George Miller, europeangaming.eu, January 20, 2020.