Statement from the Betting and Gaming Council

Betting and Gaming Council statement in response to the tragic case highlighted in today’s Gambling Commission report.

“This was a horrendous, tragic and deeply sad case that above all else represents a heartbreaking and irreplaceable loss for Mr Bruney’s family and friends. Our thoughts are foremost with them.

“While this company is no longer in operation, we fully support the actions of the Gambling Commission and believe that Playtech, as the parent company, has made the right decision to pay the expected fine of £3.5 million in full and to commit in addition £5 million to charities to help further understand the relationship between mental health and online gambling, and to apologise to the family.

“It’s clear that the correct procedures were not followed and while this case is historic, further lessons can and must be learned across the whole gambling industry.

“The Betting and Gaming Council was created at the end of last year as a new standards body to drive big changes across the regulated industry and demand further improvements in the way the sector promotes and delivers safer gambling.

“Millions of people choose to gamble occasionally, whether it’s on the National Lottery, with regulated BGC members or with other operators. The overwhelming majority of people do so safely. But one tragic case like this is one too many. Player safety is of paramount importance for the BGC and we will continue to work with our members to further improve protection for potentially at risk and vulnerable customers.

“Our members have stepped up interventions – including restricting accounts and blocking accounts where people are deemed at risk. In addition, we have also implemented a ban on gambling with credit cards, and provided additional vital funding for research, education and treatment for problem gambling.

“This approach to raising standards is one which is fully supported by Playtech today and we will continue to work with the industry, with the regulator and with government, to drive further improvements.”