The British online and landbased gaming regulator, the UK Gambling Commission, completed a public consultation that tackled the design and in-game features of the virtual slots, offered by its licensees. Launched in early July, the regulatory body’s initiative sought to collect more comprehensive feedback and data on the preventive measures regarding the harms associated with online slots. The initiative aims to preserve the integrity of the games’ development as well as to render them less harmful to the general public.
The British gambling watchdog conducted a detailed analysis of virtual slots’ functionalities that have to do with play speed and the range of betting opportunities. Also considered were other features that may have an impact on the games’ risk level, increasing the dangers of gambling-related harms.
In an official statement, representatives of the Gambling Commission explained the regulator has decided to probe into the design of slots because they comprise the broadest product range across UK-licensed online casinos. As such, slots account for the highest gross gaming revenue (GGR) out of all available games at online gambling sites.
In-Game Features Can Significantly Boost the Gameplay Intensity
The regulator also pointed out that while the number of players who engage in virtual slots is not as high as one would assume, the average amounts people spend on these games are significant. This is because online slots are packed with a variety of enticing in-game functionalities that lead to a considerable boost in the intensity of the gameplay.
The gambling watchdog placed emphasis on the necessity to keep up with the latest trends in game development as reforms are put in place to render online gambling less harmful. The UKGC unveiled its intentions to push through a new code for game development with the release of its 2020/2021 Business Plan earlier this year.
The code will require all licensees of the Commission to comply with new obligatory safety functionalities when designing their slot games. One of the requirements incorporated into the new code concerns the minimum speed per spin, which should be 2.5 seconds across all virtual slots offered by UK-licensed gambling operators.
The regulator will also impose a ban on offering the so-called “split-screen” slot games as the latter can potentially cause players to lose control. Several features that lead to more intensive gameplay will also be ditched. Some of the examples include the turbo mode and the slam stop buttons.
A Betting and Gaming Council Testing Lab will be established for the purposes of analysing the virtual slots’ in-game features. Last but not least, a more comprehensive work plan will be developed to incorporate a built-in messaging functionality into the games. The regulator is to release the full details regarding the new code later this month.
- Author
Daniel Williams
