Bet365 and Paddy Power Betfair among operators aiming for new safer gambling kitemark

Problem gambling treatment provider GamCare has launched a new social responsibility quality kitemark for the gambling industry.

Known as the Safer Gambling Standard, the accreditation aims to recognise operators who go “above and beyond” the requirements of licensing codes of practice.

GamCare has confirmed that bet365, Betsson, PaddyPower Betfair, Camelot, JPJ Group and Genting are among the first operators currently going through the accreditation assessment process.

Speaking at ICE, Paul Carpenter, head of industry services called on the industry to embrace the Safer Gambling Standard not just “for the business and reputational benefits of doing so, but because demonstrating an effective approach to safer gambling is the right thing to do.”

The standard comprises 10 sets of assessment criteria for social responsibility across online and land-based B2C operations, however GamCare has confirmed that it is developing a variation of the standard exclusively for B2B operators.

Addressing the assessment process Anna Hemmings, CEO at GamCare, said the Safer Gambling Standard “focuses on the totality of an operation, from board members and directors down to the front line.”

Assessments will be made in the areas of organisational procedures, digital and in-person interactions, protections for young and vulnerable people, and the culture of the business regarding its approach to social responsibility.

“The standard is an accreditation which incorporates the experience of our service users, the huge level of collected evidence and industry research across numerous fields as well as GamCare’s many years of experience working across the sector” Hemmings added.