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Read Full BioAn undercover investigation by the BBC has revealed that adult gaming centers (AGC) in the UK are failing to comply with self-exclusion schemes to protect problem gamblers.
The episode “Adult Gaming Centres” aired on the BBC series ‘File on 4 Investigates’ on Radio 4 on Tuesday, June 17.
As part of the investigation, BBC reporter Greg Clark went undercover at gaming centers across Portsmouth in the UK after registering with a self-exclusion scheme.
Of the 14 centers Clark visited, only one refused him entry in line with protocols. The findings have also been reported on the BBC website.
Clark is reported to have visited three centers in one morning without any issues before trying to enter a branch of Game Nation, an adult gaming center with over 60 branches across the country.
Staff asked Clark for ID and were then able to see that he was on a self-exclusion list, so they did not allow him to enter.
Gambling Commission Launches Investigation into AGC Non-Compliance
According to Gambling Commission guidance, the one refusal should have alerted nearby centers, but Clark was able to visit 10 more centers without any problems after being declined at Game Nation.
The Gambling Commission has launched its own investigation, describing the BBC findings as “very concerning”.
How the UK Gambling Self-Exclusion Scheme Is Supposed to Work
The UK has two self-exclusion lists, one called SmartEXCLUSION and another run by the AGC trade body, the British Amusement Catering Trades Association (Bacta).
Upon registering, individuals have their photo uploaded to the system, which is shared across AGCs in the surrounding area.
Clark had utilized the system to extend his self-exclusion to 40km around Portsmouth, but continued to be allowed entry to AGCs within the zone.
The BBC also reported that “two of the premises visited in Portsmouth were not signed up to a self-exclusion scheme at all.” This is in breach of license agreements with the Commission, and the publication reports that the two AGCs have now signed up to the scheme.
UK Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Reform, commented that he believes AGCs “don’t really care” about the self-exclusion rules.
Gambling Firms Expected to Monitor and Support Self-Excluded Customers
Tim Miller, Executive Director of the Commission, commented that he was “really concerned” by the findings and vowed to take “robust action”.
He stated to the BBC: “Where we see evidence that gambling companies are not meeting their regulatory expectations, we will take really robust action against them.”
The Commission issued a fine to Merkur Slots of nearly £100,000 ($134,000) in February for failing to protect a customer from losing £1,981 (approximately $2,476) in only three days.
Merkur Slots was one of the AGCs that allowed Clark to gamble on its premises, and staff were seen assisting Clark in operating machines and bringing him snacks.
Miller noted that companies have a duty of care to not only stop individuals on self-exclusion lists from gambling, but also to offer help and support.
He continued his comments: “You should be monitoring what’s going on in your premises. So if you spot someone that matches one of those photos, you should step in.”
“Not just stopping them from gambling, but providing them with a referral to appropriate support as well. The onus is absolutely on the gambling company and the people within it to spot that individual,” he continued.
The Commission suspended the license of Wyke Gaming & Amusement Centre, an AGC in Bradford, England, last month over failure to follow self-exclusion rules.
Other Countries Holding Gambling Companies To Account
Australia has a national self-exclusion list, BetStop, and the country’s regulators have issued a series of fines to gambling companies for breaching rules aimed at protecting problem gamblers.
Last month, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) fined Unibet AU$ 1 million ($654,275) for failing to close accounts of gamblers registered to BetStop.
Unibet has also been fined in France and the Netherlands for similar breaches of self-exclusion protocols.
Additionally, the ACMA issued a AU$ 500,000 (roughly $320,000) fine to PointsBet in May for sending promotional materials to individuals on BetStop.
