UK Gambling Commission unveils social reponsibility code proposal

The UK Gambling Commission has released more detail on the proposed introduction of a new social responsibility code (SRC), which most operators would be required to fund, saying the Commission will go ahead with the introduction of the code following a supplementary consultation.

The draft structure of the SRC was undertaken by a working group established by the Commission and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) in consultation with representatives Bet 365; Betfair; Paddy Power; SkyBet, Coral Racing and William Hill.

The proposal covers detailed self-exclusion priorities along with proposed costs of the scheme estimated at GBP 2 million to set up, with ongoing running costs of around GBP 1 million per annum.

“The costs will need to be funded in full by the industry, being both the costs of the scheme itself plus any additional running costs to administer it. A mechanism will need to be created so that all operators who participate contribute towards the costs in an equitable way,” the proposal outlines.

The UK Gambling Commission proposes recovering these costs via either the establishment of a specific levy, through the annual licence fee system or via the creation of an industry-led mechanism that would fund the scheme directly.

“We would seek views on options including whether the contribution should be based on the operator’s size and how that should be assessed. The creation of an industry led mechanism would be determined by the industry themselves,” the proposal reads.

Views on the document are invited to be sent to c.scheme@gamblingcommission.gov.uk. These will be used to inform the further eight week consultation period.

The full text may be accessed here: http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/pdf/Briefing-note-on-the-national-online-self-exclusion-scheme.pdf