Supplier News
UK – Gamble Aware Week ushers in new betting alerts
By Phil - 18 July 2016
All this week, betting shops across the country will be participating in ‘Gamble Aware Week’, which will include the launch of new mandatory alerts on the amount of money someone has spent or time they have played on an electronic gaming machine.
Throughout the week, the windows in the country’s betting shops will be taken over with Gamble Aware Week posters, highlighting the message “Never bet more than you can afford to lose” with clear advice to all punters: Set a limit and stick to it, take regular breaks, speak to a member of staff if you need advice.
The week will also see the launch of new mandatory alerts for gaming machine players on what they are spending and the time they are playing for.
From this week, alerts will appear on screen after someone has spent £150 or played for 20 minutes.
This compares to the £250 and 30 minute alerts previously in place.
In addition, during the week, drop in counselling and advice sessions are being held in Glasgow, Manchester and Cardiff.
Malcolm George, Chief Executive of the Association of British Bookmakers said: “We are really pleased to launch this year’s Gamble Aware Week, which emphasises the importance the bookmaking industry places on encouraging our customers to bet safely and responsibly. Betting shops offer the safest place to gamble. We want all our customers to enjoy their leisure time in our shops and our clear advice will help them do that.
“All our staff working across the country are committed to putting responsible gambling at the heart of all we do, and Gamble Aware Week is a key element of that commitment.,” he added. “The introduction of the new mandatory alerts on gaming machines are an important part of our wider responsible gambling agenda and will help customers to monitor and balance their leisure experience. The new alerts are on top of the existing options for all players to set their own limits on spend and time on gaming machines and taken together are a major step forward in our commitment to responsible gambling.”
The week long event has already secured media coverage across the UK.
