BGC: Use of RG tools soared during Safer Gambling Week 2023
Betting and Gaming Council’s figures reveal an 18% YoY rise in use of tools, as well as 54% of players setting a deposit limit for the first time
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has released figures showing an 18% year-on-year (YoY) rise in players setting deposit limits during last November’s Safer Gambling Week (SGW).
Last year’s annual initiative took place between 13 and 19 November, with data showing 54% of players using a deposit limit for the first time.
There was also a 300% rise, for the second year in a row, of players setting a reality check, on-screen alerts that track playing time, during Safer Gambling Week.
BGC’s figures showed the use of maximum stake limits increased more than 300%, while deposit limits were set by 83,242 unique users – a 12.5% YoY rise.
Further figures showed there were half a million visits to the SGW website during the week, while several English football clubs showed their support including Blackpool displaying the SGW logo on their shirt during a match against Shrewsbury Town.
In terms of social media reach, SGW was linked to 50 million impressions across Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, representing a 70% increase on 2022.
Michael Dugher, BGC CEO and interim chair, praised the impact 2023’s SGW had on players while thanking industry stakeholders for their support.
Dugher said: “These new figures show Safer Gambling Week continues to be a powerful advert for increasing use of safer gambling tools in the regulated industry.
“Millions of customers now use safer gambling tools including deposit limits and time outs.
“This is a pillar of the regulated industry and is in marked contrast to the unsafe, unregulated and growing online gambling black market, which provides no safer gambling support, contributes zero tax and does not support sport.
“Our members promote these tools all year round, but a single dedicated week, bringing together the whole sector alongside huge support from cross-party MPs, from the government and the Gambling Commission, really turbocharges that work – and these figures show it makes a real difference,” he added.
This year’s SGW, the eighth to take place, will run between 18 and 24 November, coinciding with Europe’s fourth SGW that was announced by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) at the end of May.
EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer said: “This year, we aim to reach even more Europeans with safer gambling tips and messages and bring together a diverse range of stakeholders for a week full of meaningful discussions about the future of player protection.”
As a part of last year’s event, EGR spoke to several industry figures about the importance of safer gambling practices and why operators should raise awareness of safer gambling all year long.