A new handbook by the BGC for British gambling companies’ contains 20 codes and 100 measures to improve standards in the UK market. (Image by stockobust626118 on Vecteezy)
The British & Gaming Council has published a new handbook designed to help online casino and sports betting companies raise the standard of the UK gambling market.
Yes, we know gambling legislation might not be the most exciting news for all you hardcore casino players visiting Casinoplusbonus.
Yet, we aim to please other readers who are interested in the efforts being made to improve the UK gambling industry. Plus, this news might affect you and could be worth a read.
I say this because, for you as a UK casino player, these changes can improve your overall experience with safer gambling tools, better customer support, and more ethical practices from gambling operators.
However, if you really are not interested in this style of news, and you are looking for iGaming news with more acion of game releases and promotions, you can head over to our online casino games news area.
What is the BGC Handbook?
It’s not just for operators but for the marketing companies they hire, too. Within the handbook, the 20 codes are not mandatory. Instead, they are there so companies within the UK gambling industry can go above and beyond the requirements laid out by the UK Gambling Commission.
In other words, if gambling companies and those connected to the British gambling scene follow these guidelines, the industry will become a better place for players and businesses working within it. Spanning these 20 codes are 100 measures to take action on. I am sure not all companies will implement all the measures in place, but at the same time, they would go a long way towards that magic word many large businesses like to use – Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
CSR is a great way to give back to the hand that feeds you.
In the case of British Gambling companies, that would be charitable donations, which we see often. Then, there is a matter of sticking to a moral code of ethics when conducting business in the country. From what I have seen of the BGC’s new handbook, it pretty much covers CSR and moral standards.
At this time the BGC represents over 90% of the regulated betting and gaming sector, supporting 109,000 jobs, and raises over £4 billion in taxes per year, plus BGC members help to contribute over £6.8 billion to the UK economy via levies and charitable donations.
Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst, said: “I am delighted to announce this new Code Handbook, which comprises over five years of determined work to raise standards across the board”.
Highlights of the BGC Handbook
Without boring you with walls of text, I’ve put together a list of some of the most important points highlighted in the latest BGC news and created a more easily readable table. I have also referenced the primary source from the BGC website’s new columns in case you want to head over to the official news report yourself.
| Topic | Key Details |
|---|---|
| BGC Code Handbook | A directory for online gambling companies with 20 Codes with a total of 100 measures. |
| Purpose | For BGC members to follow practices above and beyond the rules laid out b by the UK gambling commission. |
| Codes and Measures | They cover areas such as such as safer gambling, advertising, game design, and customer protection. |
| Code of Conduct | Includes the BGC’s overarching Code of Conduct, and all members must comply to remain part of the organization. |
| Measures Beyond Legal Requirements | Most codes go beyond the UKGC’s gambling framework and Codes of Practice (LCCP). |
| Ongoing Workstreams | BGC is collaborating with the government and the UKGC to introduce 50+ additional workstreams. They will include areas such as frictionless spending checks, an industry Ombudsman, and expansion of the Bank Transfer Block. |
| Increase CSR | Charity organisations worked alongside the BGC to help create some of these codes. Gambling companies can also increase their CSR activities by giving back to the UK community via charity donations. |
| Target Audience | The handbook covers online gambling operators, high-street bookmakers, as well as other land-based gambling venues such as casinos. |
| Black Market Impact | A study by the BGC suggests that 1.5 million Brits bet roughly £4.3 billion every year on non-UKGC casinos that do not contribute to the UK’s economy. |
| Advertising Standards | Includes a whistle-to-whistle ban on TV betting ads during live sports before 9 pm (reducing children’s exposure by 97%) and commitment to 20% of advertising promoting safer gambling tools. |
| Safer Gambling Messaging | 20% of TV, radio, and digital advertising is dedicated to promoting safer gambling, including tools like deposit limits and time-outs. |
| Land-Based Operator Commitments | Similar advertising and safer gambling messaging standards apply to casinos and betting shops, contributing to the UK’s tourism sector. |
| Additional Key Areas | Some codes include how game developers should design games, focus on AML practices, and how to improve their treatment of VIP/High Rollers responsibly. |
| Problem Gambling Rate | Problem gambling in the UK is stable, with 0.4% of over-18s at risk, as per an NHS Health Survey. |
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