The regulated betting and gaming trade is becoming a member of forces as soon as once more for Safer Gambling Week 2021.
This yr’s occasion will run from November 1-7 and can see the Betting and Gaming Council, the Bingo Association and bacta – the amusement machine commerce affiliation – coming collectively in a renewed drive to champion greater requirements.
The annual marketing campaign has been operating since 2017, when the trade united for the primary time to advertise Responsible Gambling Week.
Once once more, this yr’s occasion will see a blitz of safer playing messages each on-line and in land-based venues, sparking a nationwide dialog on the way to guess responsibly.
Last yr’s occasion was an enormous success, regardless of the pandemic inflicting the closure of betting retailers, casinos, bingo golf equipment and amusement arcades throughout the UK.
The variety of social media impressions – the place somebody noticed a publish associated to Safer Gambling Week 2020 – hit 19 million, a rise of 19 per cent on the earlier yr. And the variety of periods on the Safer Gambling Week web site throughout final yr’s marketing campaign was 18 per cent greater than the yr earlier than.
Meanwhile, operators additionally reported a rise within the variety of clients utilizing safer playing instruments resembling setting deposit limits and self-exclusion – proof of the actual cut-through Safer Gambling Week has among the many basic inhabitants.
Every arm of the regulated betting and gaming trade will come collectively to encourage employees, clients and most people to lift consciousness of, and to speak about, safer playing.
Regulated betting and gaming operators already work tirelessly all yr spherical to advertise safer playing, together with by encouraging deposit limits and time-outs, in addition to directing clients to the vary of self-exclusion providers that exist.
Safer Gambling Week supplies a chance to go even additional by encouraging companies and organisations to begin a dialog, not solely with employees and clients, but in addition with their family and friends.
Michael Dugher, chief govt of the BGC, stated: “As the requirements physique representing the regulated betting and gaming trade, the BGC is delighted to help Safer Gambling Week 2021.
“Last yr’s occasion was an enormous success regardless of the pandemic and, with the prospect of betting retailers and casinos being open when this yr’s takes place, I’m certain Safer Gambling Week 2021 can be even higher.
“Our members already reveal their dedication to safer playing via issues like elevated funding for analysis, training and remedy, the whistle to whistle ban on TV betting commercials throughout dwell sport and strict ID and age verification checks.
“During the pandemic, we’ve got additionally seen the variety of safer playing messages on betting web sites greater than double, whereas direct interventions the place clients have been spending extra money and time betting than earlier than Covid have elevated by 25 per cent.
“Safer Gambling Week is a good alternative to focus on this incredible work – and emphasises the distinction between the regulated trade and the unlicensed and unlawful on-line black market, which has not one of the safeguards that are commonplace amongst our members.”
Miles Baron, chief govt, The Bingo Association, stated: “Safer Gambling Week is a crucial a part of the bingo trade’s dedication to social accountability and supplies a helpful focus for highlighting exercise and help that’s accessible all year long. As venue-based companies, the sector recognises the vital alternative we’ve got to advertise safer playing messages and have interaction straight with clients.”
John White, chief govt, bacta, stated: “Safer Gambling Week as soon as once more permits the trade to showcase its year-long dedication to safer playing. It additionally brings buyer focus to the instruments which are accessible to them in the event that they in anyway really feel their playing is turning into problematic. Those instruments proceed to develop as we be taught extra about safer playing and type a part of our ambition to cement social accountability on the coronary heart of our supply to the patron.”
Existing registered marketing campaign supporters have already acquired affirmation of the dates for this yr’s occasion and can obtain additional updates from Safer Gambling Week organisers as info and supplies turn out to be accessible.
Organisations in search of info on Safer Gambling Week 2021, or the way to turn out to be a registered supporter, ought to go to the Safer Gambling Week website online (www.safergamblingweek.org) or the Safer Gambling UK website online (www.safergamblinguk.org). The web sites are key info factors for safer playing assets and data and for Safer Gambling Week 2021.
Safer Gambling Week 2021 social media channels are additionally dwell: @SGWeek21 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #SGWeek21.
