New “cooling off” measures introduced in betting shops

The Betting and Gaming Council has announced the introduction of an Anonymous Player Awareness System (APAS) on gaming machines in betting shops.

APAS is a real-time algorithm for gaming machines which identifies areas of player behaviour that could indicate harmful play. Such behaviour will trigger an alert on-screen and force a break in play or ‘cooling-off period’, simultaneously staff will be alerted, allowing for a Responsible Gambling Interaction (RGI) where appropriate.

The introduction of APAS demonstrates betting shops’ continued work to ensure that customers have a safe and enjoyable experience. The forced ‘cooling-off’ periods for players with signs of potential harm adds to the tools already in place on betting shop gaming machines such as time and spend limit setting and responsible gambling messaging on screens.

The new APAS system will form part of the delivery of the ‘protecting and empowering customers’ work in the Safer Gambling Commitments announced by the Betting and Gaming Council last week.

The BGC also announced last week that £10m of funding would be provided for a national education programme designed and delivered by the charities GamCare and YGam for children and young people over the next four years.

BGC Chairman, Brigid Simmonds OBE said:

“I am delighted to launch these new measures today as part of Responsible Gambling Week. The Betting and Gaming Council has as its mission statement raising standards and this technology will create an environment that promotes safer play.”

Interim Chief Executive, Wes Himes said:

“I see this as an opportunity to champion the highest standards and share best practice on safe betting and gaming, and we hope these new measures are a sign of intent. I’m convinced that this approach can help restore public trust, and I look forward to working on further safer betting and gaming initiatives across our industry.”

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