IGRG reveals plans for Responsible Gambling Week 2019

The Industry Group For Responsible Gambling (IGRG) has set out plans for Responsible Gambling Week 2019, with a number of major operators, developers and other organisations with links to the industry to support this year’s initiative.

Taking place from November 7-13, the project will involve over 120,000 staff at thousands of gambling venues and websites, with further backing from gaming machine operators and pubs across the UK and Ireland.

The IGRG, comprised of UK gambling trade associations, will lead the initiative in the UK, while the Irish Bookmakers Association will head up activities in Ireland. Both organisations will be focusing on highlighting the tools, advice and help available to customers, as well as the initiatives being taken by operators to promote social responsibility.

Staff at land-based venues will be encouraged to speak with customers about safer gambling, while messaging will be prominently displayed at venues. Other initiatives include dedicated responsible gambling areas, ‘take a break sessions’, and sponsored fundraising initiatives by staff.

In terms of online activities, sites will promote responsible gambling messages to their customers through pop-ups and banner ads, while all operators will post responsible gambling content and information about advice and help on their social channels.

Meanwhile, ResponsibleGambling.co.uk, a new information hub for responsible gambling, will go live in October. Operators can download assets and resources from the site to use during Responsible Gambling Week.

Other initiatives include the Racecourse Association and the British Horseracing Authority displaying responsible gambling messages at racecourses, while Punch Pubs and Co. will offer promotional kits, including posters and beer mats with responsible gambling messages across its 1,300 pubs.

Gambling machine manufacturers such as Astra Games, Scientific Gaming, Reflex and Inspired Gaming will communicate responsible gambling messages through their machines, while the English Football League and sponsor SkyBet will be offering advertising space at stadia and in matchday programmes to the project.

“We want to make this an open and inclusive conversation, connecting with the widest possible audience, including those who do not think messages about responsible gambling are aimed at them,” IGRG chairman John Hagan said.

“We want to take the message about safer gambling even further this year, through our own social channels, with the support of our partners inside the industry and beyond.”

Neil McArthur, chief executive of the GB Gambling Commission, added: “The week’s strapline, ‘Let’s talk about safer gambling’, is an important message not only for customers but also for the staff and industry leaders whose role is to look out for their customers.

“It provides an opportunity for people across the gambling industry, no matter what their role is, to focus on what part they can play to make gambling safer and reduce gambling harms.”