The UK Gambling Commission has introduced a new initiative related to its work as the authority in charge of overseeing the provision of gambling services to UK-based customers and making sure that those are delivered in a “fair and free from crime” manner.
Earlier today, the regulator published on its official website a two-way conversation plan aimed at approaching gambling customers and those who have interest in engaging in such activities.
Commission Chief Executive Sarah Harrison said in a vlog entry that it is their main goal to make sure that gambling operators are putting players “at the heart” of their business. Apart from the regulations introduced and those that are yet to be introduced, the UK Gambling Commission will now be engaging in conversations with consumers, hearing their concerns, making notice of their interests, and generally improving communication with that same consumers. Customers who enjoy gambling as well as those for whom gambling has turned into a problem will both be included in the regulator’s initiative.
Ms. Harrison said that their plan encompasses three main themes:
- Increased transparency and clarity of the Commission’s activities as UK’s gambling regulator;
- Responsiveness – with gambling sectors rapidly growing and developing, the Commission has found it necessary to keep pace with all the new developments being introduced and to be responsive to all upcoming changes;
- Forming partnerships – according to the regulatory body, working with other organizations involved in the industry, particularly ones in direct contact with customers, will be equally helpful to all involved parties.
Of the new plan, Dirk Hansen, Chief Executive of UK’s national organization for gambling problem help GamCare, said that they welcome the Commission’s initiative and its interest in obtaining more information about gambling customers and their behavior and reaching them directly.
Katie Fry, Project Manager for gambling support initiatives at Citizens Advice, also expressed support for the newly introduced plan and added that Commission members will certainly gain valuable insight from their work with consumer-centered organizations.
The UK gambling market is among the most diverse ones in the world with around 3,000 operators licensed to provide their options to local customers. According to figures posted by the UK Gambling Commission earlier this year, gross gambling yield of £12.6 billion was generated between October 2014 and September 2015. What is more, it could be said that the country possesses one of the most strictly regulated and fastest growing iGaming markets. Remote gambling accounted for 29% of the gross gambling yield posted for the above-mentioned period.
