At the end of the previous week, the major gambling watchdog in the country, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has confirmed that people are expected to become more engaged with gambling websites and online gambling in general. The gambling regulatory body has reminded that it had already issued new advice to all licensed gambling operators in the country and outlined the rules they need to stick to in order to keep their customers safe.
The closedown measures have been unprecedented for the gambling industry not only in the UK but also worldwide. According to experts, the massive shutdown of the retail gambling sector would lead to customers turning their eyes to online gambling, which is why the UKGC has reminded to local gambling companies they need to make sure they protect their users from harm.
The UK gambling regulator shared that online gambling sites have built-in facilities that permit customers to set a spending limit on this particular website. Spending limits could be extremely useful for both the gambling business and the customer, who would be able to keep their spending at a manageable level.
Apart from that, the UKGC has shared that it has joined forces with one of the largest social platforms, Twitter, to create special guidance aimed at supporting individuals who are willing to restrict the amount of gambling-related content they are displayed on the social media platform. The guidance includes different ways in which customers can use the safety tools of Twitter to adjust their account’s setting so that they are able to significantly reduce the risk of exposure to gambling-related marketing and messaging.
Self-Exclusion Scheme GAMSTOP Available for Online Gambling Customers
Furthermore, the UKGC reminded that self-exclusion remains as one of the most effective options aimed at protecting British players from gambling-related harm. Under the self-exclusion programs available in the country, players are now able to ask a gambling company to ban them from accessing their services in order to prevent them from gambling.
Even better, there is already an online multi-operator self-exclusion scheme in the country’s online gambling market, called GAMSTOP, which was been available since April 2018. The UKGC has made it obligatory to all gambling companies to participate in the scheme as of March 31st, 2020, as part of the requirements to hold an operating licence in the country.
The gambling watchdog further noted it would continue to monitor the impacts of Covid-19 on the local gambling sector and customers. The Commission is to also monitor the activities of gambling operators in order to make sure it prevents consumers from any possible new risks that may occur as a result of the increased online gambling rates following the massive shutdown of the retail sector in the country.
- Author
Olivia Cole
