The 10-pledge plan was launched at the start of the first UK lockdown in March, where the top priority was to increase the number of safer gambling messages on websites.

And the BGC has revealed that the number of such messages has increased by over 100% since the pledges were introduced.

Moreover, the number of individual customers receiving safer gambling messages via direct mail also increased by 150%.

Other findings include an 89% increase in the number of direct emails that include a safer gambling message, as well as a 25% increase in the number of interventions by operators when a player has been spending more money or time betting than they did before the pandemic.

“The Betting and Gaming Council was set up last year as a standards body committed to driving big changes across much of the regulated industry,” said BGC chief executive Michael Dugher.

“These latest findings show that the BGC has led the way and is achieving real results on safer gambling.

“The introduction of the ten-pledge plan at the start of lockdown was further evidence of success – and our members re-affirmed their support for the pledges when the second lockdown began.”

Further measures from the BGC are set to be introduced, namely that its members have agreed that at least 20% of all TV and radio advertising should be safer gambling messages.