Safer Gambling Innovations From the UKGC

The main aim is to eradicate gambling addictions and problems and protect vulnerable punters. The UKGC issues gambling licenses to the UK-based casino operators and works with the police on illegal gambling practices.

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Gamstop Self Exclusion Scheme

Gamstop is a free self-exclusion scheme that the Remote Gambling Association launched. It is operated under the National Online Self Exclusion Scheme Limited for controlling and restricting online gambling activities. Punters who feel the need to take a break from gambling can register in the scheme and exclude themselves for a chosen period. 

Gamstop is only limited to online casinos and sportsbooks licensed under the UKGC and allows self-exclusion from all casinos rather than from each operator individually. Players who joined any casino site without GamStop in the UK from the CasinoGap list aren't protected by British self-exclusion and cannot request a refund.

People can choose to exclude themselves from accessing the UK licensed online casinos for six months, a year, or five years. However, after registration, the minimum period of exclusion cannot be reversed. After completing the minimum duration, one has to visit the offices to remove themselves from the scheme. 

Redesigning Slot Mechanism

The Gambling Commission announced a package that focuses on strengthening the protection and controls for the punters who use online slot games. It would also limit the number of spin speeds. After consulting the players, the gambling industry and the operators incorporate stricter protection measures to make these online casinos less intensive and safer in terms of their designs. 

The UKGC has also focused on the online slot features and its intensity of risk factors to certain players. 

The new rules for the online players focus on banning these features on online slot games: 

1. Slot spin speeds which are faster than 2.5 seconds 
2. Autoplay feature that leads to losing track of time
3. Any parts that tend to speed up gameplay 
4. Sounds or images have an illusion of winning when the return is either equal or lower the stake.

Other significant changes that have been told to implement include:

1. The casino operators must display the total wins and losses of individual players during an ongoing slot session
2. The permanent ban imposed on reverse withdrawals 

These new rules might seem far-fetched, but the operators need to obey. This set of rules would bring about changes to the slot games, and the operators need to assess every slot to meet the regulation requirements. These slots shall also be put under trial runs and tests for proper functioning. The operators who would provide slots as per requirements shall redesign or be removed from the websites. The whole point of redesigned slots is to promote quality games that promote responsible gambling in all aspects. 

1. Critical factors such as RTP (Return To Player), Max Bet Amount, Wagering Needs are also under scrutiny from various licensing agencies. 
2.  Certain themed games which promote violence and aggression are being reviewed.

These protective features have to be fully implemented by the online gaming operators by the 31st of October 2021 as per the UK Government to maintain decorum within the country in terms of licensing and gameplay. 

Future of GamStop Scheme

Gamstop might not be a perfect scheme at first glance, but it does bring about changes to the entire constitution of gambling on vulnerable people over a while. Gamstop comes with recognition after joining hands with the API integration. 

Customers can access the resources at no extra charges, which would help them pay to achieve their path of recovery. Problem gambling cannot be solved just by signing up with a scheme. One has to make it a point to put adequate efforts into staying away from all gambling-related content to resist himself from playing. 

Conclusion 

The main aim of UKGC is to protect British gamblers from being targeted or scammed by gambling companies. Maintaining the best interests of a player is the focal point of the organisation, and UKGC being a non-profit organisation, operates with honesty. Safer gambling options are a must in today's world, with newer sites and slots popping up every second. 

Providing licenses only to companies responsible for their actions is what the United Kingdom Gambling Commission aims. The three main focus areas include the licensing authorities, the public, and the gambling businesses. 

Isabella Humphrey

Update 22 February 2021