The Safer Gambling Week 2024 marks the eighth edition of this super-important event, a project that has become an integral part of promoting responsible gambling and safer play practices, not just in the UK, but all across Europe.
Once again, the UK arm of this crucial project is being organized by the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA), the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC), and the Bingo Association.
During the week (18-24 November), users will receive increased safer play messages across both land-based and online venues aimed at igniting a nationwide conversation about the importance of responsible gambling and betting responsibly.
The messages will include meaningful information regarding the tools and ways that customers can use to maintain control over their gambling habits, as well as alerts and notifications with help and advice.
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive Officer of the Gambling Commission, commented on the Safer Gambling Week by saying that this project “also enables operators to exchange best practices” and, with that, is helping to “make gambling in Britain among the safest” worldwide.
Ensuring safety should always be central to every aspect of gambling. However, Safer Gambling Week offers a valuable chance to emphasize this priority even further. It also enables operators to exchange best practices, helping to make gambling in Britain among the safest experiences worldwide.
One of the main objectives of the organizers behind this project is to repeat last year’s success. More specifically, during Safer Gambling Week 2023, 54% of players have reported setting deposit limits for the first time, noting a soar in the use of safer gambling tools.
Moreover, in 2023, the percentage of players actively setting reality checks during the Safer Gambling Week skyrocketed by more than 300%, smashing social media records and generating more than 50 million impressions across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive Officer at the Betting & Gaming Council, said that the success and impact of the Safer Gambling Week campaign “lead to increased use of those popular safer gambling tools”.
Safer Gambling Week is about showcasing the tools that exist in the regulated industry all year round to ensure that the millions of people who enjoy a regular flutter, continue to do so in a safe and responsible environment. Previous years have shown that this campaign leads to increased use of those popular safer gambling tools.
Another factor that speaks of the magnitude and importance of this campaign is the government’s support, i.e. from Labour UK Minister for Gambling, Baroness Twycross.
More specifically, this year marks the first time that the Safer Gambling Week will take place under a Labour government after the party won the elections in July 2024.
Baroness Twycross hailed the project by saying that Safer Gambling Week is “a good opportunity to recognize the important work being done to help protect those at risk of gambling harms,” welcoming the industry to showcase support and tools to prevent gambling addiction.
Safer Gambling Week is a good opportunity to recognize the important work being done to help protect those at risk of gambling harm. We welcome the industry using this week to highlight the tools and support available to prevent people from suffering potentially life-changing harm.
In addition to the UK, the Safer Gambling Week campaign stretches across the whole of Europe, with industry-wide webinars, various activities, and safer play information-sharing sessions set for the week ahead.
Consequently, the week will feature a series of events and webinars focusing on key responsible gambling topics such as improving responsible betting, understanding problem gamblers, and the use of AI in safer gambling.
