Safer Gambling Week 2023 sees industry unites for responsible gaming advocacy and safer practices

The seventh edition of Safer Gambling Week is set to take place from November 13th to 19th, 2023, with the UK gambling industry rallying together to advocate for safer gambling practices. 

Organized by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), BACTA, and the Bingo Association, this annual event aims to intensify efforts in promoting responsible gambling. The focus is on showcasing available tools that empower customers to remain in control of their gambling activities and providing assistance to those seeking help and advice.

UK Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew stated: “Safer Gambling Week is a good reminder of the work already underway by the Government, industry, and the regulator to prevent harm. The measures outlined in our white paper will help protect those most at risk of gambling-related harm while allowing those that choose to gamble to do so safely.”

“We are taking action to prevent gambling addiction, improve safer gambling tools and strengthen messaging to stop people incurring potentially life-changing losses. We welcome the gambling industry using this week to increase uptake and awareness of this important issue.”

The chief executive of the Gambling Commission, Andrew Rhodes, added: "Safety should be at the heart of all gambling at all times. But Safer Gambling Week affords the unique opportunity to draw even more attention to its importance. It also provides the opportunity for operators to share best practice and ensure people in Britain are provided with the safest gambling opportunities in the world.”

The annual campaign builds on the success of previous years, with the 2022 event witnessing a substantial increase in accounts setting deposit limits. Over 200,000 accounts set deposit limits in October, marking a 12.5% rise from the previous year. Notably, 61% of these were first-time limit setters.

The use of reality check alerts, which monitor play duration, skyrocketed by an impressive 300%. Safer Gambling Week also smashed previous social media records, generating nearly 30 million impressions on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, a 21% increase from 2021.

Initiatives promoted during the week include encouraging deposit limits, time-outs, and directing customers to various self-exclusion services. The week serves as a catalyst to encourage businesses and organizations to engage in conversations with staff, customers, friends, and family about responsible gambling.

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, emphasized the significance of Safer Gambling Week in promoting vital safer gambling tools unique to the regulated betting and gaming sector. 

He said: “Safer Gambling Week is now a well-established annual event, promoting the vital safer gambling tools only available in the regulated betting and gaming sector and signposting help to those that need it. Core to this is our commitment to empower customers with the knowledge and tools to bet safely all year round.”

For his part, John White, Chief Executive of BACTA, highlighted that SG Week provides an opportunity to showcase the year-round efforts of the gambling sector to ensure customers can enjoy recreational wagering safely.