The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has announced an action plan setting out standards expected of its members during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Council, whose members include UK operators and casinos, has agreed with its regulated members 10 pledges to heighten monitoring and responses, to protect anyone betting online who might be more vulnerable during a time of self-isolation.

The pledges include: an increase in safer gambling messages directly to customers, a promotion of deposit limits, action to ensure appropriate and responsible advertising, reporting all illegal advertising, ensuring funding for research education and treatment, and welfare checks.

BGC CEO Michael Dugher said: "In this time of national crisis, with so many people self-isolating and social distancing at home, it is vital we do everything possible to ensure safer gambling and to protect potentially vulnerable or at-risk people."

In response, GVC Holdings said it welcomes the news, announcing further enhancements to its responsible gambling safeguards; ensuring the group’s products can be enjoyed safely and do not lead to customers playing beyond their financial means.

Some of GVC’s measures include proactive communication with all customers to direct them to its safer gambling tools and increased responsible gambling messaging on the homepages of all its sites.

GVC CEO Kenny Alexander said: "Our enhanced tools give customers the power to manage their spending and time in an effective way, and we are backing this up by carefully monitoring play through our markers of harm."