Safer Gambling Week “made a huge impact” as the use of safer gambling tools rocket
Betting and Gaming Council analysis found that 200,000 people set deposit limits during October
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has championed Safer Gambling Week after the initiative “made a huge impact” in encouraging uptake in using safer gambling tools
The BGC analysed the latest iteration of the initiative, which took place during October 2022, and found a significant uptick in the number of customers engaging with safer gambling tools.
The analysis revealed that 200,000 people set deposit limits on their accounts during October, a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 12.5%, and coinciding with Safer Gambling Week.
Additionally, 61% of players setting deposit limits did so for the first time during October.
Elsewhere, the number of players actively using reality checks, on-screen alerts that track playing time, soared by 300%.
The Safer Gambling Week initiative also saw record levels of social media interaction, with 30 million impressions across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, representing a 21% YoY increase.
Several government officials and famous faces including former Tottenham and West Ham manager Harry Redknapp and former Celtic striker John Hartson gave their support the campaign.
Michael Dugher, CEO of the BGC, said: “Millions of customers now use safer gambling tools, including deposit limits and time-outs.
“This is a pillar of the regulated betting and gaming industry and is in marked contrast to the unsafe, unregulated and growing online gambling black market, which has none of the safeguards strictly employed by BGC members.
“Safer Gambling Week is further evidence of the regulated industry’s determination to keep raising standards,” he added.