Gaming Intelligence – Leading gaming machine suppliers Inspired Gaming and SG Gaming have called for the mandatory enforcement of responsible gambling measures across all categories of the UK gaming market including land-based and online products.
It follows the launch of the first phase of the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) Code of responsible gambling measures on Category B2/B3 machines.
Inspired Gaming chief executive Luke Alvarez said the measures need to be developed and implemented across all land-based and online products in the UK market.
While Alvarez welcomed the introduction of the responsible gaming protections for machine gaming, he warned that people vulnerable to addiction would still be at risk with other venues, products and channels.
“[We] urge the Government and Regulator to work with stakeholders on how it can develop the concepts and learnings from the ABB Code for Responsible Gambling and Player Protection across all UK land-based and online products,” he said.
He described the introduction of the Code as “a positive first step” in developing Inspired’s roadmap to better protect the UK’s problem gamblers, comprising 0.5 per cent of total players, and minimise risk for all gamblers.
SG Gaming chairman Steve Frater supported Alvarez’ calls, saying that while his company was committed to providing an enjoyable leisure experience for machine players and had been able to introduce new protection measures in under five months, he saw it as the first step in developing “world leading player protection software through continuing research and development.”
