IGRG commissioned report triggers more criticism for UK gambling

The gambling industry’s Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG) was in the news for the second time this week, following its Code of Practice advertising recommendations earlier (see previous  report) with exposure to criticism over its study on tackling addiction.

The body commissioned the 85-page study from independent research firm Revealing Reality, which in general was even handed but highlighted certain practical areas where it found deficiencies in responsible gambling measures, including:

* Staff in betting shops need to be better trained and motivated, in many cases not appreciating the importance of supporting responsible gambling policies;

* There was evidence that staff in some cases reinforce false beliefs regarding lucky seats, numbers or machines, exhibiting an ignorance of randomness and probabilities;

* Responsible gambling messages are not prominently displayed where punters can see them;

* Some companies set dangerously high spending limits;

* Betting shop staff are inadequately trained in identifying problem gamblers, in some cases even encouraging them to chase losses or follow flawed betting strategies.

By not vigorously promoting responsible gambling in these areas, gambling firms have undermined their own efforts to reduce harm, indicating “double standards” the survey found.

The negatives in the study immediately became the subject of media reportage, with The Guardian newspaper leading the charge.

Approached for comment, IGRG spokesman, John Hagan, pointed out that the gambling industry is working “tirelessly” to promote responsible gambling.

“It was industry recognition of the importance of raising standards of messaging and training which led to the commissioning of this report,” he noted.

GambleAware chief executive Marc Etches said that the report represented a clear wake-up call for the industry as a whole.

“Frankly, all sectors need to do more to ensure staff and customers know when, how and where to seek help,” he observed.

The Guardian also sought comment from anti-gambling Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, who responded:

“This shocking report is a litany of poor practice from an industry that is out of control. Instead of trying to help problem gamblers, and encourage responsible gambling, too often gambling firms and their staff are facilitating irresponsible behaviour.”

Watson, who has recently protested gambling shirt sponsorships in UK football, and threatened to impose a problem gambling tax on gambling operators, added:

“The gambling industry needs to take more responsibility for tackling Britain’s epidemic of gambling addiction. If they don’t, the next Labour government will make sure they will.”

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