The UK Gambling Commission has published a new strategy aiming at the minimization of gambling-related harm across the United Kingdom within the next three years. The National Responsible Gambling Strategy, the full text of which could be read here, dwells upon matters related to problem gambling and proposes certain approaches on how such issues could be tackled by gambling operators, industry regulators, trade bodies, the government, and other involved parties.
The new strategy was compiled by the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board after a consultation with the public that was carried out last year. Generally speaking, the RGSB is an independent board that provides the UK Gambling Commission, and through it the country’s government, with advice on responsible gambling and its importance. The board has been working with successive governments since the adoption of the Gambling Act 2005.
The latest published document sets out a strategy proposed by the RGSB for the next three years to 2019 aiming to encourage gambling responsibility, mitigate and reduce gambling-related issues, and increase the protection of the vulnerable part of the population.
The board has pointed out that the strategy is intended for all forms of gambling – both online and land-based, and all types of gambling options offered, including the National Lottery. It also encompasses gambling products, environments, and marketing campaigns, as well as the broader context in which a gambling activity occurs.
The new strategy points to 12 areas within which action could and should be taken, with understanding and measuring gambling harm, increasing the understanding of the ways gambling products and environments may affect customers, and improving approaches towards the identification of harmful play being only few of those.
Commenting on the publication of the new strategy, Christopher Kelly, Chairman of the RGSB, said in a statement that the document is a call to action for all involved parties to work towards minimizing gambling-related harm. Mr. Kelly further noted that certain progress has been made over the past several years towards tackling gambling-related issues and the National Responsible Gambling Strategy aims at building on the steps taken.
The official also explained that the document presents a vision of what a “desirable outcome would look like”, although they are well-aware that the said vision would represent a significant challenge and would require “expertise, resources, and commitment” from operators, regulators, officials, and other involved parties.
