The Betting and Gaming Council has revealed a new code of conduct for the design of online games in a bid to improve player safety and tackle problem gambling.
The new measures, which will be implemented at the end of this month, includes slow spin speeds, banning several gaming features which have caused ‘concern’ and improved access to safer gambling information.
The new Game Design Code of Conduct follows on from the Safer Gambling Commitments published by the BGC in 2019.
Michael Dugher, chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “The BGC was set up last year with the aim of leading a race to the top in terms of standards within the regulated betting industry.
“The new Game Design Code of Conduct is yet another example of our determination to address concerns head on and meet our safer gambling commitments.
“I’m sure that our members will embrace this approach and commit to its objective of improving player safety.
“And as we prepare for the forthcoming Gambling Review, it is further evidence of our industry’s commitment to improving standards – unlike the completely unregulated black market.”
Among the major commitments included in the new code are minimum game cycle speeds of 2.5 seconds, the ending of turbo play, which allows players to speed up games, and the scrapping of multi-slot play, where a player can place multiple stakes on different games at the same time.
Moreover, the code will introduce further mandatory checks on players’ activity in order to introduce breaks in play. Additionally, the industry is set to explore ways to improve the labelling of games in order to increase players’ understanding of key terms.
Confirming its commitment, the BGC has emphasised its plan to work with academics, regulators, consumers and individuals with experience in betting-related harm in an attempt to ‘identify best practice’ in game design going forward to ensure the code of conduct is kept up to date with the development in technology.
For further insight into online game design click here to read this months edition of SlotBeats’ Spotlight which looks into the UK Gambling Commission’s consultation in an attempt to seek public input on new measures to ensure greater protection for vulnerable players.