In a significant move to enhance player safety and promote responsible gambling, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has officially launched GamProtect, a groundbreaking initiative set to revolutionise the gambling industry’s approach to harm prevention.
What is GamProtect?
GamProtect is an innovative solution that provides a clearer view of gambling-related risks across multiple operators. It aims to address one of the most significant challenges in responsible gambling: the inability of individual operators to see a complete picture of a player’s gambling activity across different platforms.
Key features of GamProtect
- Flag sharing system: At its core, GamProtect allows operators to share “flags” when they identify customers who have self-declared very serious markers of gambling-related harm. This system enables other participating operators to be aware of potential risks without sharing detailed personal information.
- Data protection compliance: Developed in collaboration with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), GamProtect ensures that all data sharing is compliant with data protection laws, addressing privacy concerns that have been a significant hurdle in previous attempts at cross-operator solutions.
- Proportionate approach: Unlike systems that require sharing vast amounts of transactional data, GamProtect focuses on sharing specific risk flags, providing a more targeted and efficient approach to harm prevention.
- Collaborative framework: GamProtect is the result of a collaborative effort between the gambling industry, regulators, and data protection authorities, showcasing the potential of multi-stakeholder approaches in addressing complex issues.
Impact and early results
The council discovered that players enjoy online slots, online roulette and online poker the most, highlighting the importance of implementing robust safety measures like GamProtect, as the popularity of these games can lead to increased participation and potentially higher risks of gambling-related harm. Since its initial implementation, GamProtect has already shown promising results:
- 5,527 consumers identified and protected from potential harm
- 88% of these consumers were matched by at least one operator
- 66% were matched by at least two operators
These early figures demonstrate the system’s effectiveness in creating a more comprehensive safety net for vulnerable players.
Industry response and future developments
The launch of GamProtect has been met with enthusiasm from various quarters of the gambling industry. Tim Miller, Executive Director at the Gambling Commission, praised the initiative, stating, “GamProtect is already helping people avoid harm. Now is the time to get involved.”
The BGC and the Gambling Commission are encouraging wider participation from operators, viewing GamProtect as a crucial step in evolving the industry’s approach to responsible gambling. There are indications that future developments could include the incorporation of additional markers of harm, potentially expanding the system’s scope and effectiveness.
Implications for the gambling industry
The introduction of GamProtect represents a significant shift in how the gambling industry approaches player protection.
Firstly, it showcases the potential of industry-wide collaboration in addressing complex challenges. By bringing together multiple operators, regulators, and data protection authorities, GamProtect demonstrates that collective action can yield more effective solutions than individual efforts.
Secondly, GamProtect shows how technological innovation can be leveraged to enhance responsible gambling measures. The system’s ability to share risk flags across operators without compromising data protection laws is a testament to the power of thoughtful technological solutions.
This breakthrough could inspire further innovations in player protection, potentially leading to more sophisticated AI-driven systems for the early detection of problematic gambling behaviours.
Moreover, the initiative aligns closely with the increasing regulatory focus on player protection, potentially setting new standards for the industry.
As regulators worldwide tighten their scrutiny on gambling operators, solutions like GamProtect could become the new norm, influencing future legislation and compliance requirements. This proactive approach by the industry could help build trust with regulators and the public, potentially easing some of the pressure for stricter external controls.
It’s evident that the launch of GamProtect marks an important moment in the gambling industry’s ongoing efforts to promote safer gambling. By providing a more comprehensive view of player activity across multiple platforms, it addresses a critical gap in existing responsible gambling measures. As more operators join the initiative, GamProtect has the potential to significantly reduce gambling-related harm and set a new benchmark for player protection in the digital age.
Please play responsibly. For more information and advice visit https://www.begambleaware.org
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