UK’s iGaming sector pushes for new regulations

The iGaming sector in the UK wants a new framework to identify and help problem gamblers.

The online gambling sector in the United Kingdom is hoping to develop an industry-wide framework that would help operators identify potential problem gamblers and for new ways to intervene before the issue goes too far.

As local news outlet The Telegraph said, a research commissioned by Gamble Aware and carried out by PwC said that more than 10k customers across four UK gambling operators have permission for them to use their data in order to help researchers identify markers that would indicate a potential problem gambler. These actions include the amount of times an user places bets every day, a rise in the number being bet, the time of the day that they enter the online gambling sites and how much they won and lost. The study also said that age, gender, employment and marital status could be used to help companies establish a pattern of who’s more likely to develop the issue.

The British industry is currently waiting for the results of the Government’s review of the gambling sector, which is set to include a ruling that determines how much people can bet on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs). Chief Executive of the Remote Gambling Association,

Chris Hawkswood, said that the effort made by his association made the research possible and that the results would provide help for future solutions. “It demonstrates that we can spot those most at risk, based on the data we already have available to us and the challenge now is to disseminate best practice and have it implemented,” and he added: “However, identifying risky play is pointless if we cannot remedy it and so we’re keen to continue with the third stage of the project as soon as possible to evaluate the most effective forms of interaction with customers once their gambling has been assessed as potentially causing harm.”

Moreover, Gamble Aware’s chief executive Mark Etches said: “We’re pleased to see the remote gambling industry working together to explore effective ways to help identify problem gamblers and people at risk. In the next stage of the research project, we’ll focus on testing designs and intervention methods for online sites. It’s essential the necessary advice and protection are made available to those who need them, wherever and however they choose to gamble.”

The result of the next stage of the research project are set to be announced early next year.