BGC: GAMSTOP to lead first trials of Single Customer View project 

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has announced that UK gambling’s headline ‘Single Customer View’ cross-industry data-sharing project will be trialled by GAMSTOP. 

The Single Customer View project was assigned by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) to BGC members to develop new technical safeguards to protect those most at risk of gambling harms.

The trial’s aim is to identify those identified at risk of harm to ensure they are protected across all regulated companies. 

The scheme will prevent customers who have exhibited signs of severe problem gambling, or as being at a high risk, from moving between operators without appropriate interventions being undertaken.

Last October, the project was granted its ‘phase-1’ evaluation by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) that approved the Single Customer View ‘Sandbox Review’ as GDPR compliant.  

Taking on complex data protection procedures, the BGC warned that for “some customers this may mean additional safeguards, whereas for others they may be prevented from betting entirely with other operators.”

Participating members have invested over a million pounds in the trial alone, which will be managed by GAMSTOP, the independent not-for-profit organisation that operates UK gambling’s national self-exclusion scheme.

DCMS has formally backed the development of cross-industry projects, determining that a single customer view will serve as an important mechanism to prevent vulnerable customers from gambling related harm.

Wes Himes, BGC Executive Director for Standards and Innovation, said: “I am delighted with the commitment from BGC members and the significant financial investment they are undertaking to get on with delivering this scheme quickly.

“Whilst many companies put forward proposals for this system, it was clear that GAMSTOP stood out from the rest. They are uniquely placed as they currently operate the online gambling self-exclusion scheme which has helped more than two hundred and fifty thousand people over the last five years.

“We are committed to ensuring the trial scheme which focuses on those most at risk is proportionate and effective. We are getting on with the work of change and once again, demonstrating that despite the challenges and complexities, when it comes to safer gambling, technology is our friend.”