The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) says it will “keep up the momentum in the months and years ahead” in its bid to reduce problem gambling.

The pledge follows a survey from the Gambling Commission that showed that the rate of problem gambling for the year to September 2021 was 0.3%, down from 0.6% in the previous year. The rate of gamblers classed as being at ‘moderate risk’ of harm meanwhile fell from 1.2% to 0.7% in the same time frame.

Such a decline suggests that the body’s efforts since 2019 on promoting safer gambling are having an impact, the BGC noted.

“Since being established in 2019, we have worked tirelessly to drive up standards in the regulated betting and gaming industry and promote safer gambling,” said BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher.

“Our initiatives have included using advertising to promote safer gambling tools like deposit limits and time-outs, investing more in research and treatment, funding an education programme provided by GamCare and YGAM, implementing the credit card ban and introducing tough new rules on VIP schemes and changes to game design, as well as using technology to intervene with customers online.

“One problem gambler is one too many, however, and we are determined to keep up the momentum in the months and years ahead.”