The UK Gambling Commission published a draft Code of Practice for online and land- based gambling operators on Friday. The new Conditions and Codes of Practice are set to be implemented in September of next year, by which all aspects of last year’s Gambling Act will be fully in place.
The Gambling Act’s Code of Practice is designed to keep problem gambling in check, keeping underage children and people who are addicted to wagering from using land- based and online casinos, and to increase awareness of problem gambling disorders in people who gamble.
The provisions of the code apply to land and online casinos, lotteries, gaming machines, bingo clubs, and all sports betting venues, some of which will be under the jurisdiction of the Gambling Commission for the first time. Penalties for failure to comply with the Code of Practice include heavy fines and license revocation for repeat offenders.
“We will monitor all British gambling operators to make sure they comply with our rules,” Gambling Commission chairman Peter Dean said. “We have the power to fine or revoke the licenses of those who fail to do so, and to prosecute illegal gambling. We won’t hesitate to use these powers if need be.”
The proposed Code of Practice requires that all gambling operators prominently display information about where to get help for problem gambling behavior, both on gaming floors or home and log- in pages, as well as in discreet places such as casino restrooms.
In addition, gambling operators must take measures to exclude people whom they believe demonstrate problem gambling behavior, and must also allow people who believe themselves to have problems with gambling to exclude themselves in a binding fashion.
Another section of the Code of Practice mandates that online gambling operators must redesign software to prevent continuous and repetitive play in which players may not be aware of how much time or money they are spending. Likewise, land- based casino operators must also take measures to make sure that people are aware of how much time and money they are spending, and are prohibited to use alcohol as an inducement to gambling. In both land and online gaming venues, strict controls must be implemented on the speed of play of automatic games.
As in many nations around the world which permit gambling, the UK plans to emphasize their attempt to prevent anyone who is underage from gambling. Online gambling operators will be compelled to carry out random credit card checks to verify the ages of users. They will also have to make filtering software available for adult gambling fans who wish to prevent underage members of their households from gambling.
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