The Commission is consulting on its draft Licence
Conditions and Codes of Practice, which will form part of a major
shake up of the entire gambling industry, due to take place in
September 2007 when the Gambling Act comes fully into force.
The Act is designed to protect children and vulnerable people in
the face of a sharp rise in gambling at internet casinos and on
roulette machines in bookmakers. Its provisions apply to casinos,
bingo clubs, lotteries and gaming machines, as well as betting and
online gambling, which are being brought under the Gambling
Commission’s jurisdiction for the first time.
The draft Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice require
that:
- All gambling operators must have published policies and
procedures for promoting socially responsible gambling. These must
include how they will contribute to research, to education about
the risks of gambling, and to the treatment of problem
gamblers.
- Information about responsible gambling and help available to
problem gamblers must be prominently displayed wherever gambling
takes place, as well as in discreet areas such as toilets. Online
operators must make this information accessible on their home and
login pages.
- Operators must exclude people in cases where there are clear
signs of problem gambling, and customers who feel they have a
problem must also be able to exclude themselves.
- Casino and bingo operators must introduce measures to control
continuous and repetitive play, such as designing sites and
implementing procedures to encourage breaks in play and making
customers aware of the time they have spent gambling. Alcohol must
not be used as an inducement to encourage people to gamble. Strict
technical standards will be imposed to control the speed of gaming
machines. Online operators must make sure that customers are aware
of how much time and money they have spent on their sites.
- Operators must train their staff about problem gambling and
about dealing with customers who may be affected.
- Operators must follow strict procedures to prevent underage
gambling, including age checks on anyone who appears to be under
21. Specific rules will apply to casinos, which will be required to
employ trained supervisors to keep anyone underage away from
gambling. Online operators must carry out random credit card
checks, and filtering software must be made available to allow
adults to block access by children and young people.
- Key staff such as managing and finance directors must be
licensed by the Commission, as must casino employees such as
dealers and cashiers. The application process for those licences is
an important step in keeping crime out of gambling.
- The rules of games, odds, house edge and average return to the
player must all be clearly displayed, and operators must have
well-publicised complaints procedures that include an external,
independent element.
“We will monitor all British gambling operators to make sure
they comply with our rules,” said Gambling Commission Chairman
Peter Dean. “We have the power to fine or revoke the licences of
those who fail to do so, and to prosecute illegal gambling. We
won’t hesitate to use these powers if need be.”
Responses to the consultation should be made by 2nd June.
