The UK’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) reported a 22% increase in responsible gambling tools among players during Safer Gambling Week 2024. Reports also indicate a rise in the use of deposit limits, which the BGC CEO says “is a testament” to the ongoing efforts of regulated iGaming operators to support consumers.
Key Points to Consider
- 1.5 million unique accounts used responsible online gambling tools, such as deposit limits, during the Safer Gambling Week in November 2024.
- Deposit limits during the safety campaign increased by 14% YoY.
- 7.2 million safer gambling messages were sent during the campaign, recording a 10% jump from the previous year.
- 60 million impressions of the Safer Gambling Week campaign were recorded across social media platforms – a 21% rise since 2023.
Setting a New Benchmark in Player Safety
According to the BGC’s reports, Safer Gambling Week 2024 influenced 1.5 million players to use at least one responsible gambling tool. Thus, marking a stark 22% increase in player response over the previous year’s campaign. The data also shows a 14% increase in deposit limit. What’s encouraging is that 47% of deposit limits were set by players who were using this feature for the very first time.
Additionally, 7.2 million responsible gambling messages were delivered to players residing in the United Kingdom. This marks a 10% spike since the 2023 campaign. The 8th edition of Safer Gambling Week took place from the 18th to 24th November, 2024. As it does each year, the campaign promoted the best practices for responsible gambling.
New records were also set on social media platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram, with 60 million impressions generated during the campaign – up 21% since 2023. The BGC also reported 500,000 hits on the Safer Gambling Week website during the campaign as well. Speaking on the subject, BGC CEO Grainne Hurst said:
Safer Gambling Week has once again proved its worth. These new numbers are a testament to the campaign’s success and reiterate this industry’s commitment to consumer protection. Everyone is collectively raising the standards to ensure the millions of consumers who regularly engage with iGaming products do so in a secure environment.
Support for Safer Gambling Week Pouring in From All Quarters
Apart from the organisation hosting the event, Safer Gambling Week has the full support of operators across the UK and the regulated betting industries in Ireland. The list includes licenced online casinos, online betting sites, bingo halls, and bookmakers. The campaign is also supported by regulators, political figures, and charities across the region.
Cross-party senior MPs, including Baroness Twycross, the Minister for Gambling, Stuart Andrew, the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Louie French, the Shadow Minister for Sport, Gambling and Civil Society, have publicly backed the campaign.
Additionally, Gambling Commission Chief Andrew Rhodes also spoke in favour of the Safer Gambling Week initiative. Premier League football clubs, including Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, and Southampton, contributed to promoting the event. BGC CEO Hurst added:
Our members promote responsible gambling every day of the year. But a single week, bringing the entire sector together, along with support from MPs, regulators, peers, and other stakeholders, promotes our efforts in a uniquely powerful way.
Gamstop Self-Exclusion Sees 500,000 Takers
According to the National Health Service’s Health Survey for England, nearly 0.4% of adults are problem gamblers. However, new data from self-exclusion provider Gamstop suggests a more widespread use of responsible gambling tools.
Their latest annual report says 532,500 individuals, which is nearly 1% of the UK’s population, have signed up for the self-exclusion scheme. Over 99,176 people signed up in 2024 alone – a mammoth 7.7% spike compared to the previous year. Jenny Watson, Gamstop Chair, affirmed:
Over 1% of the UK’s adult population has voluntarily enrolled for self-exclusion with Gamstop, and there have been no signs of slowing down. This highlights the critical need for effective self-exclusion mechanisms.
Gamstop also reported an increase in registrations among young adults aged 25 and under. The platform introduced an automatic five-year renewal option for individuals who want to continue their self-exclusion spell. Further underscoring the issue, an independent study conducted by global market research firm Ipsos revealed that over 75% of Gamstop users have successfully quit gambling.