Safer Gambling Week 2026 dates confirmed as campaign builds on record year

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), Bacta and the Bingo Association have today announced that Safer Gambling Week 2026 will take place from 16–22 November, uniting the regulated betting and gaming sector to promote safer play and raise awareness of the tools and support available to customers.

The announcement follows a record-breaking Safer Gambling Week 2025, which generated more than 80 million impressions across X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, a 40 per cent increase on the previous year.

The initiative also attracted significant political support, with a record number of senior cross-party MPs and peers lending their backing. High-profile supporters included Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross, Shadow DCMS Secretary Nigel Huddleston MP and Shadow Gambling Minister Louie French MP, underlining the broad consensus behind efforts to raise standards and promote safer play.

This unprecedented level of engagement from Parliamentarians is expected to continue into 2026, with Safer Gambling Week providing an important platform to demonstrate the regulated sector’s ongoing commitment to customer protection.

Now entering its tenth year, Safer Gambling Week has become a key moment to spark a national conversation about safer play among staff, customers, and their friends and families, while highlighting the wide range of tools available to help people stay in control, including deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.

The campaign will build on strong momentum from previous years, with a nationwide programme of activity across online platforms and land-based venues, encouraging open conversations and signposting support.

Crucially, these protections and tools are only available within the regulated sector. Illegal operators offer none of these safeguards, underlining the importance of maintaining a strong, well-regulated market that protects customers and supports continued investment in player protection.

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “Safer Gambling Week has gone from strength to strength, with last year’s record-breaking campaign showing just how powerful a united, cross-sector effort can be.

“The strong backing from Parliamentarians across all parties reflects the importance of this campaign and the shared ambition to ensure customers are protected and informed.

“By working alongside Bacta and the Bingo Association, we will continue to raise awareness of the tools that help customers stay in control and promote safer play right across the sector.”

Safer Gambling Week is jointly organised by the BGC, Bacta and the Bingo Association, with support from operators, charities, regulators and a wide range of stakeholders.

The initiative covers UK and Ireland and runs in parallel to the separate but related European Safer Gambling Week.