The eighth annual Safer Gambling Week is set to take place from 18th to 24th November 2024, uniting the iGaming industry, government, and regulators in a collective effort to promote responsible gambling practices. Organized by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), BACTA, and the Bingo Association, the event will spotlight tools and resources available to help customers maintain control over their gambling habits while providing clear pathways for support and advice.
Building on the success of previous years, Safer Gambling Week 2024 aims to spark a national conversation about responsible gambling across both online platforms and land-based venues. Last year’s event demonstrated the campaign’s impact, with a significant increase in the use of safer gambling tools:
- A 54% rise in first-time deposit limit settings.
- A 300% year-on-year increase in players activating reality checks during the campaign.
The initiative also achieved remarkable digital engagement, generating over 50 million impressions on social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, breaking previous records.
Promoting Safer Gambling Year-Round
Regulated betting and gaming operators already commit significant resources year-round to encourage safer gambling. Measures such as deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion services are routinely promoted to help customers gamble responsibly. Safer Gambling Week amplifies these efforts, fostering meaningful conversations between businesses, their customers, and even wider networks of friends and family.
This annual campaign offers a consistent platform to raise awareness of the tools, help, and support available for safer gambling throughout the year. With an estimated 22.5 million adults in Great Britain participating in some form of gambling each month, Safer Gambling Week provides a timely reminder of the importance of responsible play and the resources available to ensure it.
The event underscores the shared commitment of industry stakeholders, regulators, and policymakers to prioritize player safety, reinforcing a collective approach to fostering a sustainable and responsible iGaming ecosystem.
Baroness Twycross, Minister for Gambling said: “Safer Gambling Week is a good opportunity to recognise the important work being done to help protect those at risk of gambling harms.
“We welcome the industry using this week to highlight the tools and support available to prevent people suffering potentially life-changing harm.
“The Government is currently considering the full range of gambling policy and will update in due course.”
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, said: “Ensuring safety should always be central to every aspect of gambling.
“However, Safer Gambling Week offers a valuable chance to emphasise this priority even further.
“It also enables operators to exchange best practices, helping to make gambling in Britain among the safest experiences worldwide.”
Louie French MP, Shadow Sport and Gambling Minister, said: “This week marks the eight annual Safer Gambling Week. Here in the United Kingdom we have made good progress over those eight years in tackling problem gambling. Looking to other European countries, we have a comparatively low problem gambling rate, thanks to the work done by the BGC, BACTA and the Bingo Association – alongside the previous Conservative Government – all year round.
“Safer Gambling Week is one of the most effective ways the industry has found to get the safer gambling message across to those 22.5 million adults who enjoy a flutter each month. With more than 50 million impressions on social media in Safer Gambling Week 2023, the message is far reaching.
“BGC, BACTA, and the Bingo Association should be proud of the work they do to promote safer gambling and the impact this continues to have on increasing safer gambling all year round.”
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the BGC, said: “Safer Gambling Week is about showcasing safer gambling tools that exist in the regulated industry all year round to ensure that the millions of people who enjoy a regular flutter, continue to do so in a safe and responsible environment.
“Previous years have shown that this campaign leads to increased use of those popular safer gambling tools – like time-outs and deposit limits.”
Miles Baron, Chief Executive of the Bingo Association, said: “The Bingo Association is delighted to be working alongside BACTA and The Betting and Gaming Council to once again support and promote Safer Gambling Week.”
George McGregor, Executive Director – Government Relations, bacta said: “SG Week provides an opportunity to highlight what the gambling sector does all year round to ensure customers can have some fun, safe in the knowledge that operators are there for them and their peers if things start to get out of control.”
