Code Talkers
An updated set of standards will be in place in British betting shops starting November 1 under a “Responsible Gambling Code” developed by the Association of British Bookmakers.
The code will be introduced by all members of the association. It includes a ban on the advertising of gaming machines in shop windows, development of a national self-exclusion list and a ban on TV ads touting free bets as a sign-up incentive before 9 p.m.
The code is designed to help betting shop staff identify gamblers who may be developing gambling problems and may be at risk of gambling addiction.
For example, the code asks shop staff to challenge customers on their age as soon as they enter a shop, to further protect against underage gambling.
The code will be enforced by the independent Responsible Gambling Committee, which will have the power to revoke an operator’s membership, association officials said.
“The past year has been a year of innovation for the industry in the area of responsible gambling,” said ABB Chief Executive Malcolm George in a press statement. “The initial code signaled our intent to take action in this area and introduced some important early steps. However, as the industry trials and rolls out initiatives such as multi-operator self-exclusion and new ways of using customer data to identify potential harm, it is important that our code is updated to reflect these developments.
The first Code for Responsible Gambling, launched in October 2013, allowed players to set a limit on the amount of time they play, or the money they spend. The new code requires players to decide yes or no on whether they wish to set a limit.
