A BBC report revealing significant compliance failures at UK gambling venues has sparked action from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
An undercover operation undertaken by File on 4 Investigates found that a BBC reporter was able to play on slot machines at four out of five adult gaming centres (AGCs) he entered in Portsmouth, England, despite previously placing himself on a self-exclusion register.
A UKGC spokesperson confirmed to SlotBeats that the UK regulator will be undertaking further investigations into the “very concerning” revelations from the BBC.
Once signed up to a self-exclusion scheme at an AGC, a player’s image should be shared among similar venues within a 1km radius, and any players on the list should be prevented from playing. This distance can be extended further by calling a helpline.
Within the BBC report, gamblers also shared their own experience of the failure of staff at AGCs.
One gambler recalled that a member of staff had offered to show her how to remove a block on her bank account that she had put in place to prevent her from making transactions at gambling venues.
Worryingly, according to the BBC, two of the venues the reporter entered were not signed up to a self-exclusion scheme, breaching one of the conditions of their gaming licence. They have since begun working with a self-exclusion scheme.
The UKGC notes that local authorities are responsible for licensing such premises, and part of the licensing fee they charge is used to inspect gambling businesses in regards to their compliance with responsible gambling measures.
Within the BBC report, Tim Miller, Executive Director of the UKGC, committed to “double down” on efforts to ensure that these checks are performed.
“Most of all, we do need to see inspections of those properties,” he told the BBC. “They’re not onerous, for just checking that what [AGCs are] actually doing is what they’re meant to do, and they’re not doing stuff which is marginally illegal.”
Bacta slams ‘unrepresentative’ investigation
John Bollom, President of Bacta, the trade body for such venues, issued a staunch defence against the allegations, describing the report as an “unrepresentative investigation” across a small number of premises.
He said in a note to members: “It’s the latest in a series of attacks that seek to undermine our industry at a time when we are now becoming an essential part of many High Streets.
“AGCs are community hubs. They’re fun to spend time in. They are comfortable, hospitable and inviting social spaces. They create jobs. They bring footfall to High Streets, boosting other industries such as retail and hospitality. They provide life to empty shops, and contribute heavily to the local economy in terms of tax and employment.”
Bollom reassured members that Bacta is working with the UKGC, local authorities and the DCMS to extoll the benefits of AGCs.
However, he called on the industry to pull together to ensure that any loopholes that would allow such compliance failures to take place are closed.
He emphasised: “A multi-operator self-exclusion system (MOSES) must be in place in every venue, offering customers the ability to self-exclude from facilities for the same type of gambling in the locality.
“Operators must ensure that staff operate the MOSES system. Colleagues must be able to access a tablet or other device and be able to carry out self-exclusions in the venue on that device. Staff must look at the pictures of self-excluders every day, and react appropriately when one enters the venue.”