Gambling industry backs Safer Gambling Week, spearheading an awareness drive for responsible gaming practices
Safer Gambling Week: A Pillar of Responsible Gambling Awareness
Safer Gambling Week, an initiative by the leading trade association for the land-based low-stake sector, Bacta, is a focused multi-day campaign designed to promote responsible gambling awareness and practices. This year, it will run from 18 to 24 November, with the support of the Betting and Gaming Council, the Lotteries Council, the Bingo Association, and many others.
The history of Safer Gambling Week involves growing annual campaigns supporting education and responsible play, backed by gambling industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies. In 2024, outreach efforts saw a significant increase in safety messaging and training, with over 100 million safety messages broadcasted to customers across gambling platforms in Europe, and 89% of gambling employees trained in safer gambling techniques.
This year, Safer Gambling Week will feature a 'blitz' of safer gambling messages online and in land-based venues. The initiative aims to encourage conversations about responsible gambling and the safeguards put in place by the regulated industry. Last year, Safer Gambling Week 2023 generated over 50 million impressions across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
In the land-based low-stake sector, data shows a rising uptake of self-protection tools among gamblers, including deposit limits (used by 65% of safety-tool users), self-exclusion (12%), and time limits (11%). These tools are relevant for land-based players as many establishments integrate digital technology into their low-stake gaming machines and services to facilitate safer gambling.
Organizations like the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) also contribute by updating best-practice standards and accreditation schemes for land-based venues, helping to embed responsible gambling principles in the low-stake sector. Safer Gambling Week serves as a catalyst to raise awareness within these venues and encourage implementation of safety tools.
George McGregor, Executive Director (Government Relations) of Bacta, believes Safer Gambling Week continues to make a significant contribution to reducing problem gambling. He stated, "Our members should be proud of their commitment and culture towards responsible gambling. Safer Gambling Week demonstrates Bacta's commitment to delivering a safe, responsible, and enjoyable gambling entertainment experience."
The consumer-facing Safer Gambling website poses a series of questions and outlines how to use safer gambling tools such as setting time and deposit limits and self-exclusion from gambling. Premier League clubs West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion have given their backing to Safer Gambling Week, demonstrating the initiative's wide-ranging support across the industry.
Safer Gambling Week 2024 is set to be another important step in promoting responsible gambling in the land-based low-stake sector. Its success suggests its continued value as an awareness-raising initiative.
- The Betting and Gaming Council, the Lotteries Council, the Bingo Association, and many others are supporting Safer Gambling Week, an initiative in the casino-and-gambling industry, which aims to promote responsible gambling practices and awareness.
- As the financial aspect is an important part of the gambling industry, it's worth noting that over 100 million safety messages were broadcasted to customers across gambling platforms in Europe during Safer Gambling Week in 2024.
