NHS mental health lead slams operators over betting incentives
Claire Murdoch calls for immediate ban on credit cards and VIP experiences
The NHS’s mental health director has urged five of the UK’s biggest gambling firms to ban the use of VIP incentives and bet-to-view live streams.
In a letter sent to the management of bet365, Betfred, William Hill, GVC and Flutter, as well as the UK Gambling Commission and the Betting and Gaming Council, Claire Murdoch claims there are “increasingly clear and worrying links” between gambling and poor mental health.
Murdoch wrote that certain tactics used by gambling operators are “concerning” and should be addressed by the industry immediately.
“If reports are correct I am concerned that offering people who are losing vast sums of money free tickets, VIP experiences, and free bets, all proactively prompt people back into the vicious gambling cycle which many want to escape,” Murdoch wrote.
To reduce mental health issues from gambling, she called on gambling operators to “immediately restrict” bets placed by credit cards ahead of the UKGC’s ban, which comes into force in April.
Murdoch also wants operators to ban the use of so-called ‘VIP experiences’, as well as ceasing the streaming of live football matches.
Claire is absolutely right – betting companies need to do more to prioritise mental health. Gambling-related harm is a growing priority of the NHS to help those affected:@ClaireCNWL @NHSEngland https://t.co/casqJtMPWi pic.twitter.com/1YYbCTqbqq
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) January 16, 2020
Brigid Simmonds, chairman of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), wrote a response to Ms Murdoch on behalf of the whole industry.
“We take our responsibility to our customers incredibly seriously and we are determined to raise standards and improve safer gambling. The points that you raise are important.
“We are currently working with a range of stakeholders on safer gambling initiatives therefore it would be good to understand in greater detail your experience, knowledge and concerns and how we may address them,” Simmonds added.
The BGC has already committed to producing a code of conduct for VIP gambling during the first half of 2020, following the UKGC’s calls last year. It said it “strongly welcomes” the ban on gambling with credit cards unveiled by the UKGC earlier this week.
Following outcry over the streaming of FA Cup matches by operators including bet365, BGC members agreed to waive streaming rights on all FA Cup games.