Major gambling trade bodies combine on responsible gambling

The main trade associations for each of the five sectors of the UK gambling industry have been working together for some time on responsible gambling initiatives, according to a joint statement released Thursday by a new body titled Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG).

The establishment of IGRG formalises those arrangements and provides a structure to better promote socially responsible gambling in the British gambling market.  Building on existing relationships and work streams, it will provide a cross-sector forum to consider matters of common interest associated with the three licensing objectives in Section 1 of the Gambling Act 2005.

The membership of the IGRG is comprised of the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB); British Amusement & Catering Trade Association (BACTA); Bingo Association (BA); National Casino Forum (NCF); and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA).

These trade bodies represent businesses whose primary purpose is the provision of gambling opportunities, whose memberships reflect the spectrum of businesses trading and which have a detailed understanding of their respective areas.

The IGRG’s first project will be to undertake a stock-take exercise of responsible gambling initiatives. Various companies, industry groups, and associations have been pro-active in this area and their work will be reviewed.

This project will highlight what good practice could be shared across sectors and will inform any future decisions about work that the associations might undertake collaboratively through IGRG, the statement advises.

Precedence will also be given to overseeing the review of the Gambling Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising following a request to do so from Maria Miller MP, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport .

Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of the RGA will be the organisation’s first chairman, with the vice-chair occupied by Tracy Damestani (NCF).

Damestani said Friday: “There is an enormous amount of work being done by companies and the various trade bodies.  Formalising our relationships and looking at the work across all the sectors should ensure that we deliver the best and safest products across the industry.”

Dirk Vennix, Chief Executive of the ABB said: “When we launched our new Code for Responsible Gambling  and Player Protection in October 2013 we wanted to make a difference to customers who are at risk of problem gambling and we are confident we will. We hope this group will build on the learnings from the ABB’s Code and form a hub for ground-breaking cross-sector initiatives in the future.”

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