Today marks Safer Gambling Week. This is a cross-industry initiative to promote safer gaming in the United Kingdom.
This year’s Week of Safe Gambling event will run from today until Sunday 23rd October and will see the whole industry coming together in a concerted effort to raise awareness of safer gambling, the tools that are available to help and sources of further advice and support.
The Safer Gambling Week campaign is now in its fifth year and this year’s event will see a blitz of safer gambling messages both online and in land-based venues, to spark a nationwide conversation about betting responsibly.
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, said: “Any opportunity to shine a national spotlight on the importance of gambling safely and securely is important.
“Safer Gambling Week provides that platform but also gives an additional chance for operators to collaborate and share best practice around how they protect their customers.
“The safety of customers should be at the heart of each and every decision operators make.”
This campaign builds on the record-breaking Safer Gambling Week 2021, during which awareness and promotion of safer gambling tools like deposit limits led to an increase in their use by 17% compared to the previous 4-week average.
The number of social media impressions for Safer Gambling Week 2021 – hit 24.5 million, an increase of 16 per cent on the previous year.
Gaming operators and licensed betting organizations work hard all year to promote safer gambling. They encourage deposit limits and timeouts and direct customers to self-exclusion services.
Safer Gambling Week is an opportunity for businesses and organizations to engage in a dialogue with employees and customers as well as their family and friends.
The annual campaign provides a consistent voice to raise awareness of safer gambling, highlighting support and the tools that are available throughout the year.
Make sure to stay connected and stay social with the Safer Gambling Week’s Twitter page.
Be responsible when you gamble
Responsible gambling is when someone:
- Before you play, establish time and monetary limitations
- Only gamble with money that they can afford to lose
- Don’t chase your losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
To get help with your gambling problems, call the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) or go to www. www.gamstop.co.ukYou will be banned from all UK-regulated gambling sites.
