This speech took place at the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA) Social Responsibility Exchange and was delivered by Director of Compliance for the Gambling Commission Mandy Gill.
Key highlights taken from the speech covered some of the social responsibility failures and successes that the Commission has seen, as well as things it plans to change.
Gill opened the speech with: “As I am sure you all know, the Gambling Commission often has to talk about the issues we find and the failings we take action against but attending an event like today is a palpable demonstration of wanting to do the right thing.”
Gill stated that financial vulnerability checks and financial risk assessments will not extend to land-based premises; as this is a policy for remote gambling only. She also emphasised: “You also will not be affected by the changes to online non-slots casino games of course, as this applies to remote gambling only as well.”
However, there have been some problems across the board with age verification. Therefore, the Gambling Commission sent out a consultation about increasing the age at which is becomes good practice for staff to challenge customers; to verify their age from 21 to 25. This would bring it in line with requirements for other age-restricted products in the UK such as alcohol and tobacco.
Additionally, Gill mentioned: “BACTA members have voluntarily implemented a ban on under-18s using Category D slot machines with a cash prize. As you’ll know, DCMS has recently consulted on moving that ban into legislation.”
The Gambling Commission divides gambling machines into four general categories based on the cost of using them and the maximum prize money that they can pay out.
These categories go from A down to D, although Category A machines are not currently legal in the UK.
Category D machines are defined on the Gambling Commission website as ‘low-stake fruit machine style machines, coin pushers (sometimes called penny falls) or crane grabs.’ Therefore, they are the kind of slots you might find in an arcade, as well as in an actual casino.
