UKGC Reviewing Land-Based Sector Due to Player Protection Failures
The UKGC is reviewing how the land-based sector protects players after some failures were discovered.
Key Facts:
- UKGC reviewing the land-based sector and how it protects players
- BBC reporter who had self-excluded was admitted to several adult gaming centres
- This is a major breach of the player protection policies established by the UKGC
An incident involving a BBC reporter has prompted the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) to review the land-based sector and how it protects players. The commission constantly works to promote safe, responsible gambling across both the land-based and online gambling sectors.
Details of the Investigation
The reporter was carrying out an undercover investigation and self-excluded from various establishments. They then tried to play slots at a number of adult gaming centres (AGCs) they visited in Portsmouth, England. They were able to do this at four out of five AGCs.
According to the UKGC’s player protection policies, if someone self-excludes from AGC, they’re effectively barred from other similar venues within a 1km radius as well. They can opt to have the radius extended if they so wish. This is especially useful for those living in city centres.
The UKGC’s licensing agreement requires that AGCs join one of two self-exclusion programmes: SmartExclusion or the scheme operated by Bacta, an industry trade body. Local authorities provide land-based venues with licences and conduct frequent checks to ensure responsible gambling standards are upheld.
Comments on the Investigation
The reporter said that two of the venues hadn’t joined either programme. The Director of the UKGC, Tim Miller, has said the following about the BBC’s investigation:
Most of all, we do need to see inspections of those properties. They’re not onerous, for just checking that [AGCs] are actually doing what they’re meant to do, and they’re not doing stuff which is marginally illegal. – Tim Miller, UKGC Director Comments on BBC Investigation, SBC News
A UKGC spokesperson for iGaming Expert has also commented on the investigation. They said that the commission takes the protection of players very seriously and that the investigation’s results are concerning. The UKGC will act immediately to determine what went wrong and why.
Other Issues the Land-Based Sector Is Facing
In recent months, the land-based gambling sector has been involved in a rather serious debate about the prevalence of casinos in low-income areas. Local council leaders have expressed concern that poor people can access such venues too easily and could even be exploited.
Back in April, 38 councils sent letters to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy, asking for gambling regulation reforms. In short, they wanted greater power and authority when it came to planning permits for land-based casinos.
One of them, the London Borough of Brent, went a step further and worked with the think tank Social Market Foundation. Together, they produced a detailed report of the UKGC’s current regulations and a draft proposal that suggests improvements to protect particularly vulnerable communities.
