Gambless launches new awareness campaign amid land-based reopening

The ‘Play it Safe’ campaign will run across the UK, US, Italy and Australia, promoting safer gambling among those who gamble at land-based casinos and betting shops.

Gambless will distribute flyers that include a Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) self-assessment test and a free code to access psycho-educational resources on the Gambless app.

The Gambless mobile app features a range of resources, including player protection tools supplied directly from land-based operators including the Hippodrome Casino in the UK and LoginBet betting shops across Italy.

“These days we hear the words ‘reopening safely’ very often, and for gambling venues ‘safely’ has a double meaning – both from a sanitarian standpoint and with regards to responsible gambling,” Gambless chief executive Maurizio Savino said. 

“It’s important we all remind ourselves which habits are healthy and which ones can become harmful.

“We are aware that land-based establishments are coming from a tough year, thus we are offering our resources freely, without asking any contribution to operators. Same goes for gamblers, who can access our psycho-educational resources for free until the end of 2021.”

Last month, casinos, bingo halls and adult entertainment centres in England were permitted to reopen as Covid-19 measures were eased, with betting shops having resumed operations in April.

In the US, restrictions are also being eased on a state-by-state basis, with casinos in Nevada now able to operate gaming facilities at full capacity without social distancing requirements.

Italy has also started to reopen its land-based gaming market, while in Australia, while such facilities have remained open for large periods of the pandemic, state lockdowns have seen certain measures implemented and venues forced to close or operate at limited capacity.

Last week, Crown Resorts closed its casino in Melbourne as the state of Victoria announced a lockdown until 3 June, though this has since been extended by an additional seven days.