UK sector lashes out at BBC over player safety failure reports

John Bollom, President of UK industry trade body Bacta, has hit back at the recent BBC probe into land-based player safety standards.

Bollom called a recent BBC investigation “unrepresentative”, after an undercover reporter was allegedly allowed to play across a number of Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) in South England despite self-excluding themselves.

Player protection policies mandated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) state that those on the self-excluded registry must be revoked access to AGCs within a 1km radius, or more if they decide to expand it.

Bacta’s President did not outright deny the results however, instead focusing on the fact that the industry must collectively address such scenarios to ensure appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.

“This week has shown the glee with which our critics seize upon any perceived lapse in this [player] protection. It means we all have to pull together to ensure all loopholes are tightened, that supervision is vigilant, and action is taken without hesitation. 

“A multi-operator, self-exclusion system must be in place in every venue, offering customers the ability to self-exclude from facilities for the same type of gambling in the locality. 

“Operators must ensure staff operate the system. Colleagues must be able to access a tablet or other device and be able to carry out self-exclusions in the venue on that device. Staff must look at the pictures of self-excluders every day, and react appropriately when one enters the venue.

“When we make mistakes we need to fix them.”

Bollom channels inner Myth Busters

Bacta’s President also took a defensive stance against recently raised concerns that land-based venues are strategically being opened across poverty-stricken areas – essentially calling them myths.

Addressing criticism that AGCs are becoming more prevalent within UK society, Bollom countered by quoting UKGC data that shows AGCs down by 35% since 2011.

Another widespread belief that can be often heard from industry opponents is that AGCs have extended operating hours to gain more financially. Bollom was again quick to slam this claim, arguing that much of the UK workforce are night shift workers, which requires AGCs to operate during early morning hours as well.

And lastly, he hit back at claims that problem gambling rates are quickly rising among consumers. Once again quoting UKGC data, Bollom referenced to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).

The PGSI is a tool used as part of the UKGC’s Gambling Survey of Great Britain (GSGB) to monitor gambling rates across the country. Recent estimates have shown that risk rates levitate between the 0.3 and the 0.7 percentage mark.

However, there have been previous calls for the UKGC to improve its data collection policies in order to build back confidence in the survey.

Local powers still on edge

The biggest pushback against AGCs in recent months was a joint letter by 39 local governments addressed to the DCMS calling for more powers within mayors’ hands when it comes to AGC planning applications. All of the points raised by Bollom were used as arguments by the councils, but they were arguing the other sides of the issues. 

And while 39 councils collectively calling for action is certainly hard to ignore, it remains to be seen whether this will have any effects on UK gambling policy, as the country is already actively implementing recommendations from a now done-and-dusted Gambling Act Review White Paper.