The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) which serves as the major gambling regulatory body in the country has revealed its further commitment to making sure that children and young people are well protected from possible gambling-related harm.
Previously, the UK gambling regulator asked its expert advisers for advice on the widely-discussed theme of children, young people and gambling. The Gambling Commission took into account the existing work and the advice provided by the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) in order to become more focused on forging the right protections to reduce the risk of possible negative consequences from gambling to be inflicted on children and more vulnerable individuals.
The UK Gambling Commission has called everyone responsible for children protection to work in collaboration with the gambling regulator in order to address the wide variety of issues which the RGSB’s advice has identified. According to the regulatory body, there are four key issues that need to be addressed, including digital and online risks related to gambling, children’s access and exposure to gambling services, education, prevention and treatment of gambling and gambling-related harm, as well as increasing consumer engagement in the matter.
Four Major Strategy Issues Recognised by UKGC
The Commission has agreed with the principles on which the RGSB advice is based and applauded the broad framework for coordinated action which is set out by the Board. The latter’s advice shows that minimisation of gambling-related harm among British children and young people requires a response from everyone who is involved in customer protection, stakeholders, the national regulator, other authorities the Government, local gambling operators, as well as trade bodies.
As mentioned above, the gambling watchdog explained that reduction of gambling-related harm that could be inflicted on children and young people needs more regulatory action, and more action from parents and families, too.
When it comes to digital and online risks in the area, the UK Gambling Commission said that it has already been taking measures to tackle possible negative effects from Internet gambling. Apart from putting more pressure on operators to minimise illegal gambling, the gambling regulator has already taken some measures in terms of dealing with the issue. As far as online skins gambling is concerned, the Commission reiterated its intentions to put pressure on the video game companies to minimise the risks for under-aged users.
The UK Gambling watchdog agreed that broader public debate about the role and position of gambling in British society should be raised. In addition, the Commission said that further consideration on the appropriate actions is also necessary, and described the advice of the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board as an important step in stimulating such a debate.
As mentioned above, education, prevention and treatment of problem gambling is considered a crucial part in children protection strategy by both the RGSB and the UK Gambling Commission. That is exactly why the Commission revealed its intention to work with hand in glove with its partners to reflect cross-government and public sector work in national strategic plans as far as education and treatment services for the most vulnerable customers are ensured.
Last, but not least, the UK gambling watchdog reminded that its policy decisions must be based on effective evidence collection, not to mention the fact that consumer engagement needs to be raised. The Gambling Commission pledged to work with its partners to measure gambling-related harm, including the negative consequences that are being inflicted on children and young people and to put more efforts on making gambling fairer and safer for everyone.
- Author
Daniel Williams
