The UK Gambling Commission (BGC) is advocating for increased responsibility from social media platforms in promoting responsible gaming practices. They contend that greater efforts are needed to safeguard young individuals and those grappling with gambling disorders, particularly concerning online advertisements.
The BGC aims to collaborate with these corporations to implement novel online advertising regulations, expressing apprehensions that social media entities are not adequately addressing the matter. They posit that a cooperative strategy is paramount in mitigating gambling-related harm.
Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the BGC, has contacted Lucy Frazer, the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, urging her to encourage social media companies to take concrete measures. He underscored the BGC and its members’ commitment to implementing solutions, contingent upon the cooperation of social media platforms.
Dugher emphasized the critical need to protect susceptible individuals, imploring Frazer to advocate for collaboration and the integration of features that can facilitate this objective.
Positively, the BGC acknowledged the decline in problem gambling rates within the UK, which reached 0.2% in 2022. They perceive this as a positive development and aspire to build upon this progress by curtailing the volume of gambling advertisements targeting young demographics.
In an effort to safeguard minors, UK gaming operators have consented to revised guidelines for social media marketing. These regulations hold particular significance for soccer teams, given their substantial online following among young people. Consequently, these clubs are being urged to refrain from directly endorsing wagering activities on their social media platforms. This measure aims to ensure that solely adults of legal gambling age are exposed to betting advertisements.
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