In the United Kingdom and the Betting and Gaming Council has announced the premiere of a new code of conduct for the design of online casino games that it believes will help to improve player safety and tackle issues surrounding problem gambling.

The London-headquartered organization represents approximately 90% of gaming, sportsbetting, casino and bingo operators in the United Kingdom and used an official press release to detail that the revised iGaming program includes provisions that will require its members to improve access to information concerning safer gambling practices, slow the speed of slot spins and ban several features that have been causing concern.

Ongoing obligation:

The Betting and Gaming Council explained that its new game design code of conduct has been launched following last year’s publication of its Safer Gambling Commitments document and is further evidence of its commitment to advancing industry standards. The group declared that the refreshed measures should be active ‘by the end of this month’ and will moreover require members to end ‘turbo play’ sessions as well as multi-slot play.

Significant safeguards:

Michael Dugher (pictured), Chief Executive for the Betting and Gaming Council, used the press release to proclaim that the revised code also mandates that its members introduce ‘further mandatory checks on player activity’ via breaks in play alongside a commitment that they work towards improving the ‘labelling of games’ in order to increase awareness of key terms.

Read a statement from Dugher…

“The Betting and Gaming Council 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.”

Continuing cooperation:

Dugher pronounced that his organization has furthermore made a commitment that it will work with regulators, academics and consumers who may have experienced gambling-related harm so as ‘to identify best practices in game design going forward’ and ensure the measures in the new code remain ‘up to date with changes in technology.’

Dugher’s statement read…

“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.”