UKGC Urges More Operators to Adopt GamProtect

UK Gambling Commission Calls for Wider Industry Participation in GamProtect to Enhance Player Protection

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has called on gambling operators to join forces in enhancing player safety by adopting GamProtect, a new data-sharing tool designed to identify and protect at-risk gamblers. Launched in collaboration with the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), GamProtect aims to revolutionize the industry’s approach to safer gambling. By embracing this innovative tool, operators can proactively protect consumers and avoid future regulatory mandates. Discover why joining GamProtect is a crucial step towards a safer gambling environment and a more responsible industry.

UK Gambling Commission Pushes for Wider Adoption of GamProtect Among Operators

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has called on more operators to participate in GamProtect, a pioneering tool designed to safeguard players at risk of gambling harm. Speaking at the launch event, UKGC Executive Director Tim Miller emphasized the importance of industry collaboration in enhancing player protection and warned that failure to join the initiative could lead to mandatory participation in the future.

“GamProtect is your opportunity to be ahead of the curve and shape something that could, in the future, become a requirement,” Miller stated, highlighting the critical role that data-sharing and cooperation play in modern gambling regulation.

GamProtect: A Collaborative Effort to Safeguard Players

Commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), GamProtect represents a significant advancement in the industry’s efforts to protect vulnerable players. The BGC worked closely with the UKGC, the ICO, and the DCMS to develop the tool, which uses innovative data-sharing technology to identify and intervene with at-risk customers.

GamProtect works by distributing data-sharing responsibilities across its three main stakeholders: closing operators, the GamProtect system, and receiving operators. When an operator identifies a customer exhibiting severe markers of gambling harm and closes their account, the decision is flagged within the system. This flag is then shared with other participating operators, who can match the data with their own customer base and take appropriate action, such as closing accounts or implementing additional safeguards.

Miller noted that since its initial rollout, GamProtect has already identified over 5,527 customers at risk, with 88% matched by at least one participating operator, including major industry players such as Entain, Flutter, Betway, and 888’s William Hill.

The Evolution from Concept to Critical Tool

“It is now over four years since we all started talking about what we then referred to as a ‘Single Customer View,’” said Miller. “The Commission asked the industry to collectively explore what was possible, that could protect consumers from harm whilst also protecting their data.”

He acknowledged the concerns about data security that have been raised since the early discussions about GamProtect. These concerns have been felt across the board—from operators worried about data handling to safer gambling advocates and consumers concerned about their privacy. However, Miller emphasized that GamProtect addresses these issues while offering a critical tool for identifying and intervening with at-risk players.

“Thousands of people have already seen interventions as a result of GamProtect that would otherwise have been at risk of experiencing serious harm,” Miller added. “And that is just during these early stages of development.”

Call to Action: More Operators Need to Join

While the initial results of GamProtect are promising, Miller stressed that the tool’s success hinges on broader industry participation. He urged more operators to sign up, warning that if voluntary adoption remains limited, the UKGC may consider making participation compulsory.

“We are in a position to encourage more operators to come forward and sign up to the scheme,” Miller stated. “The progress made by BGC and the team at GamProtect now means we have a robust system that protects players while respecting data privacy.”

The UK Gambling Commission’s push for broader adoption of GamProtect underscores the evolving landscape of gambling regulation, where player protection is paramount. As more operators join this initiative, GamProtect has the potential to set new standards in safeguarding vulnerable customers, offering a proactive approach that benefits the entire industry. By committing to GamProtect, operators can help shape a safer gambling environment and avoid the pitfalls of future regulatory impositions.