The Gambling Commission has announced New Restrictions for Online Gambling
The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that many Governments have restricted their population from moving around freely and some have also temporarily forced casinos to close their doors. This has meant that people have been spending more time at home and has caused a noticeable rise in online gambling activity. To ensure players safety, the Gambling Commission has decided to implement some new restrictions as a part of their National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.
New Gambling Commission Restrictions
The Gambling Commission knows that users of online casinos spend more than two thirds of their time playing online slots. Among all of the different types of online gambling games that can be played, online slots have the highest average losses per player. The Gambling Commission wants to try to make these games less attractive, less addictive and stop players from “binge playing”.
In an announcement on the 2nd of February 2021, the Gambling Commission has placed an outright ban on four key features of online slots. They are:
- Features that give the illusion of control over the outcome of the game
- Speed spins that are quicker than 2.5 seconds
- The Autoplay Function
- The use of sounds or images that give the illusion of a win, but are actually equal to, or below the stake amount.
Additionally operators must clearly display the players total losses or wins and the time that they have spent playing in all online slot sessions. They are also banning the ability of a player to reverse a previously requested withdrawal. This is to stop players from being able to use these funds to continue playing.
All operators that are licenced by the Gambling Commission must implement these new measures before the 31st of October 2021.
Gambling Commission Chief Executive Neil McArthur said “The evidence shows that these features increase the risk of harm to customers.” The Minister for Sports, Tourism and Heritage, Nigel Huddleson said “Today´s steps will help curb the intensity of online gambling, introducing greater protections that will reduce the risk of gambling related harm. I welcome the Gambling Commission´s tough measures as we continue our comprehensive review of gambling laws to make sure they´re fit for the digital age that we live in.”
