Department of Trust (dotrust.co.uk), a leading player safety platform in the gambling sector, has entered a multi-year partnership with the Vulnerability Registration Service (VRS), the UK’s central database of vulnerable individuals.
This collaboration enables operators utilizing the DoTrust Complete player protection platform to conduct real-time, 24/7 checks against the VRS Register. These checks are integral to the new financial vulnerability checks regime set to be implemented on August 30th, 2024.
DoTrust provides operators with risk flags based on the VRS database, enabling proportionate and explainable actions. The system ensures minimal sharing of personal information, addressing over-sharing issues common with other platforms.
The VRS plays a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable individuals in financial services, utility companies, and local government sectors. Individuals can be registered in the VRS by trusted entities such as solicitors, banks, debt charities, local authorities, the NHS, or through self-reporting. The database includes approximately 700,000 individuals at any given time.
This integration follows the recent addition of adverse media scanning to DoTrust Complete, further enhancing its capabilities and flexibility tailored specifically for the gambling industry.
Charles Cohen, CEO of Department of Trust, said: “This is a great development for us and the gambling sector as it rises to the challenge of the new regulations coming in just a few weeks. Operators have a very clear obligation to identify vulnerable customers, but extremely limited means to do so early and without intrusive questioning or document sharing.
“By incorporating the incredible Vulnerability Registration Service into DoTrust Complete, operators using our platform have the most effective means to meet their new obligations with the highest possible standard of data – and without exposing themselves to extraneous data points which can often raise more questions than they answer.
“Because these checks are so powerful, we are adding them not just as a standalone service but as an extension of our market-leading KYC, financial risk and vulnerability assessments and monitoring.”
Helen Lord, CEO of the Vulnerability Registration Service, commented: “The core function of the Vulnerability Registration Service is to provide a central, independent register of vulnerable people. This helps companies identify them, engage accordingly and treat them more appropriately.
“This partnership with the Department of Trust is a vital development in protecting people from potential gambling harm at a time when the issue has never been more in focus.
“Our service and this new alliance will help individuals avoid the same difficult conversations when engaging with gambling operators, ensuring adherence to regulatory compliance and best practice.”
