Author: EuropeanGaming.eu

Data released following this year’s event – which ran from October 17 to 23 – has revealed a 21 per cent increase on 2021, when Safer Gambling Week messaging was displayed on major social media sites 25 million times.

The initiative, which ran for the fifth year, also saw tens of thousands of visits to the Safer Gambling Week website where people can access support and information about safer gambling tools.

A large number of cross-party senior MPs and peers – including gambling minister Damian Collins MP and several shadow ministers including the Shadow Gambling Minister Alex Davies Jones MP – also gave their backing to the ground-breaking campaign.

Among the well-known sporting figures to support Safer Gambling Week 2022 were former football manager Harry Redknapp and former Celtic striker John Hartson, who both recorded videos promoting safer betting.

The aim of Safer Gambling Week is to kickstart a national conversation between staff, customers and their friends and family, about safer gambling, as well as highlight the range of tools that are available to help people stay in control of their betting.

Latest figures from the Gambling Commission show the rate of problem gambling was 0.2 per cent of the adult population – down from 0.4 per cent the year previous.

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said: “The campaign has once again raised awareness about safer gambling and showcased increasingly popular safer gambling tools – like time-outs and deposit limits – that only exist in the regulated industry.

“Importantly, we have also once again signposted all the professional help and support services, funded by the industry, that is available to those who need it, ensuring the millions of people who enjoy a regular flutter continue to do so in a safe and responsible environment.

“But the regulated industry’s commitment to safer gambling is not just for one week of the year. It is our mission for every week of the year.

“Millions of people enjoy a bet safely and responsibly, and the falling and low rates of problem gambling suggests that the work we have done at the BGC to promote safer gambling is having an impact.”

Every month 22.5million adults place a bet, and a growing number now at 20 per cent – around 4.5m – use safer gambling tools like time-outs and deposit limits.

The Safer Gambling Week campaign, organised by the Betting and Gaming Council, BACTA and the Bingo Association saw a blitz of safer gambling messages both online and in land-based venues, aiming to spark a nationwide conversation about betting responsibly.

EGR also hosted a Safer Gambling Forum which provided an opportunity for industry to share knowledge and best practice on their work on safer gambling, alongside hearing updates from safer gambling charities. The forum featured speakers from Kindred, Focal Research, GamCare, YGAM and Betknowmore.

Bacta has unveiled its supporting sponsors for its three flagship events of 2022. The organisations’ invaluable support will help make bacta’s Social Responsibility Exchange (22 November), Annual Convention (23 November) and Parliamentary Reception (23 November) possible.

Social Responsibility Exchange – sponsor Claratus Commercial Finance

Bacta will host its annual Social Responsibility Exchange at the County Hall in London on Thursday 22nd November. The event will provide members with an opportunity to share best practice tactics and strategies around Social Responsibility.

The event will be introduced by Elizabeth Speech, chair of bacta’s Social Responsibility Committee. YGAM and GamCare will also be speaking at the event alongside Social Responsibility updates from the Gambling Commission.

Claratus Commercial Finance provides clear, fair and effective finance to small and medium businesses in the UK and are specialists in the Gaming, Amusement & Leisure sectors.

Claratus can assist with the purchases of new and used machines on finance to spread the cost and protect cash-flow. Claratus can also review existing facilities, refinance higher-cost debt or provide working capital for various purposes as well as business loans all at competitive rates.

Simon Clarke, Director of Claratus, said: “As a fair and responsible finance provider with a long term commitment to the industry, we are delighted to support bacta’s Social Responsibility Exchange, which will prove to be a vital event in the industry’s calendar and one which addresses such an important issue.”

Bacta’s Annual Convention – sponsor Novomatic

Bacta will hold its Annual Convention at County Hall, London.  In a programme packed with top drawer speakers from politics, business and the wider tourism and gambling sectors, the event provides the focus of industry discussion around the gambling White Paper, tourism, and the future of pubs and clubs.  Following an address from the Gambling Minister, a panel of MPs will debate the future of the industry.  The day concludes with a keynote speech from serial entrepreneur, Luke Johnson.

Kevin Temple, Director of Sales, Novomatic, said: “As a long-term supporter and member of bacta we are pleased to be backing bacta’s annual convention this year.  It has a relevant and exciting programme for the whole industry.”

Bacta’s Parliamentary Reception – sponsor Blueprint Operations

Following the Convention in the Houses of Parliament on 23 November. Bacta will also announce the winner of its 2022 awards, which celebrate the very best of the sector. The awards recognise those who have made a unique impact in the industry during the past 12 months, with categories including High Street Hero, Seaside Saviour, Supply Chain Champion, Green Giants and Rising Star.

The judges of the awards include MPs, and the leaders of the Betting and Gaming Council, Brigid Simmonds OBE, UK Hospitality, Kate Nicholls OBE, and bacta CEO John White as well as bacta President, Greg Wood. Potential entrants can apply for the awards on bacta’s website and entries will close next Monday 31^st October.

The Event allows the industry to showcase to MPs just some of the entertainment provided by the sector to millions of their constituents each year.  The winner of bacta’s MP seaside selfie competition winner will also be announced.

David Purvis, Managing Director of Blueprint Operations, said: “As a bacta member and supporter, we are delighted to be supporting bacta’s parliamentary reception. Engagement with parliamentarians is at the core of bacta’s mission and we expect the reception to be a great success.”

Bacta CEO, John White thanked all the sponsors of the November events: “I want to say a massive thank you to Claratus, Novomatic and Blueprint for the extremally generous support they have provided.  It is testament both to them and to the industry of which they are part that we have members who recognise the value of what we do and were quick to support us.”