UK Gambling Commission Changes Requirements of Social Responsibility Code

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced an update regarding the introduction of its remote customer interaction prerequisites and guidance. The body has advised gambling operators to take into account the announcement, including the date when some requirements will become obligatory.

UKGC published new requirements in April 2022 to ensure enterprises make efforts to identify users at risk of harm as well as guidance to assist brands to comply with these requirements. Both documents were due to come into force on September 12.

The UK Gambling Commission has announced the statement. According to it:

 “Remote gambling operators are already subject to a duty to conduct effective customer interaction, and the new requirements reflect the minimum steps that we consider are necessary to meet that duty”

In addition, the UKGC has decided that some requirements will not come into effect in September.

Some of the excluded rules are a requirement to take appropriate action in case of vulnerability detection and taking account of the Commission’s attitude to vulnerability as per the UKGC’s guidance. In addition, there is a requirement to hinder marketing and the take-up of the latest bonus offers if there are strong signs of harm.

As further explained:

“In light of this extension, the Commission considers that it would be beneficial to use the time now available to conduct further consultation on matters to be addressed in the guidance associated with SR Code 3.4.3, by way of a consultation on the guidance document itself.

 Therefore, the requirement to take into account the Commission’s guidance on customer interaction for remote operators will also not be brought into effect in September.”

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The UK regulator noted the guidance is “a living document” that must be changed over time. Following the consultation, the body will be specifically interested to hear about good practice in enacting the requirements, “based on the lessons learned by operators” from April to September, as well as to hear about “any implications arising out of recent research, evidence, and casework.”

The consultation will likely be organized in late September and will take six weeks. All opinions after these six weeks will be detailly considered before an official decision regarding the contents of the guidance.

After consultation, the Commission also intends is to publish the guidance on the requirements this December 2022 which will come into force about two months after official publication. This will allow the industry to consider the guidance before it becomes the rule. In addition, Commission intends to bring the other requirements of SR Code 3.4.3 and further guidance into effect on February 12, 2023.

Meanwhile, the UK Gambling Commission continues to punish operators for their malpractice. It ordered Entain to cover £17 million for social responsibility and anti-money laundering breaches at its online and land-based venues.

Source:

“UK Gambling Commission Amends Requirements of Social Responsibility Code on Customer Interactions” . europeangaming.eu, September 6, 2022.