Safer Gambling Week hits 60 million
This year's Safer Gambling Week (18-24 November) has been hailed as a major success.
Increased exposure
Social media impressions hit a record 60 million – an increase of 21% on 2023.
The Safer Gambling Week website received in excess of 500,000 visits during the week, echoing the increased social media exposure.
Additionally, 3 Premier League football clubs, Aston Villa, Southampton and Spurs weighed in with their support, meaning even greater – albeit not as as easy to measure – exposure.
Support
In addition to the football clubs, support for the campaign was voiced by senior cross-party MPs and peers including Baroness Fiona Twycross, Gambling Minister and Stuart Andrew, Shadow DCMS Secretary.
Full support was also voiced by the industry regulator, the Gambling Commission and its CEO, Andrew Rhodes.
Support also came in the form of a number of events including the EGR Safer Gambling Forum, which brought industry and safer gambling charities together to share knowledge. EPIC Global Solutions hosted a webinar addressing the often hidden issue of problem gambling among women.
Why Safer Gambling Week is important
Safer Gambling Week is a key campaign and event in raising awareness around problem gambling. Although problem gamblers make up only 0.4% of the adult population (NHS Health Survey for England) it's an issue that can't be underestimated. For each problem gambler it's thought their behaviour has an impact on up to another 6 people – most obviously their immediate family. Approximately 22.5 million people in Britain gamble each month.
As well as the awareness aspect Safer Gambling Week provides tools, support, advice and 'where to go' information for those experiencing gambling problems.
Safer Gambling Week, organised by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), BACTA and the Bingo Association, is now in its 8th year.
BGC pleased with 'outstanding' results
“These outstanding and record-breaking results prove once more that our industry is serious about promoting the safer gambling tools available to customers and signposting the help and support available to those who need it. Whilst we await the details on the number of people using safer gambling tools, past years have shown us that an increase in the number of social media impressions has led to an increase in the use of popular tools – like time-outs and deposit limits – that only exist in the regulated industry." – Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive, Betting and Gaming Council
“Thanks to Safer Gambling Week, we can be confident millions of people are better informed about the ways they can safely enjoy their hobby."
