VOLUNTARY GAMBLING ADVERTISING CODE AGREED BY UK ONLINE AND OFFLINE TRADE BODIES (Update)

10 August 2007

Remote Gaming Association joins other British trade groups in compliance

On and offline gambling trade associations have given support to a voluntary gambling industry code for socially responsible advertising developed jointly by the associations for the United Kingdom.

The code, which supplements the principal advertising rules produced and administered by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), sets out a number of key principles and offers advice to gambling operators to assist them in producing socially responsible advertising.

It also lists a number of specific requirements including the inclusion in advertisements of a reference to gambleaware.co.uk, a website established by the Responsibility In Gambling Trust (RIGT) to provide advice and information about responsible gambling; the introduction of a 9pm watershed before which gambling products cannot be broadcast on television and that logos and other gambling promotional material should not appear on commercial merchandising designed for use by children.

The new code was developed in consultation with the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), the UK Gambling Commission, Responsibility In Gambling Trust (RIGT), Gamcare and a diverse group of industry interests and is a practical example of the gambling industry’s commitment to social responsibility.

Currently being established is a watchdog group to monitor and review the code on a regular basis with the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB), the Bingo Association, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA), the British Casino Association (BCA), the Business In Sport And Leisure (BISL) and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) all represented.

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