Responsible gambling

Gambling is a fun, exciting and popular pastime, ingrained in our culture. For most, it is an enjoyable leisure activity. However, there is a small number of people for whom gambling is a problem, and we recognise our responsibility in helping to tackle that problem.

Responsible gambling is the main principle behind the UK's Gambling Act. The Act's three licensing objectives are:

• to keep crime out of gambling;
• to ensure that gambling is conducted fairly and openly; and
• to protect children and vulnerable people.

All companies offering gambling facilities have to satisfy the Gambling Commission's licensing requirements regarding responsible gambling practices.

Responsible gambling practices

Practices required by the Gambling Commission include:

• self-exclusion policies;
• age verification processes; and
• information provision for relevant regulatory and investigatory bodies

Going beyond the requirements

Many leading gambling operators like William Hill had responsible gambling policies in place before the Gambling Commission made such policies a requirement. Real responsibility in gambling, however, means going beyond ticking the Gambling Commission's boxes, and actively pursuing and implementing a responsible approach. There are a number of industry bodies that push companies to go beyond their obligations; principal among them is GamCare, a registered charity and one of the leading organisations for problem gambling. The main concern of these organisations is that companies don't just pay lip service to responsible gambling policies, but adhere to them strictly to protect vulnerable customers.

Useful websites

The Gambling Commission
The UK body responsible for regulating betting and remote gambling (not spread betting or the National Lottery).

GamCare
A registered charity providing support, information and advice to anyone suffering as a result of problem gambling.

Gamble Aware
A website managed by the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, an independent charity which funds treatment, research and education about responsible gambling.

Remote Gambling Association
The RGA represents the world's largest licensed, and stock-market listed, remote gambling companies, and provides the industry with a single voice on all the issues of importance to regulators, legislators, and key decision makers around the world.

Association of British Bookmakers
ABB is the leading trade association representing high street ('off-course') bookmakers in Great Britain.

Registered Office: Greenside House, 50 Station Road, Wood Green, London N22 7TP.
Registration Number 4212563 England