New report by RGSB sees more needs undone to reduce gambling-related harms

The Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) has published its final progress report last Friday, which provides an assessment on the success and implementation of the 2016-19 National Responsible Gambling Strategy.

The "Final Progress Report: National Responsible Gambling Strategy 2016-19" gives a high-level summary on the effectiveness of the strategy and the delivery of its 12 Priority Actions. It identifies that progress has been made in key areas – including Public Health England announcing a review of gambling-related harms, and the NHS 10-year plan identifying the need for action.

The report concludes that more needs to be done to reduce gambling-related harms and that the new National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms, launching in April, is an important opportunity to make progress and build on previous successes.

The RGSB, the policy and standards advisory unit for the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), has rebranded as the “Advisory Board for Safer Gambling – ABSG”, reflecting its deeper focus on safer gambling initiatives and protections.

The independent advisory undertakes its rebrand as Anna van der Gaag CBE begins her tenure as new chair, replacing long-term incumbent Sir Christopher Kelly, as announced by an official release. Acting as the ABSG, the advisory will continue to provide independent advice and guidance to the UKGC, as national policy stakeholders seek implement a new strategy over the next three years, ensuring the UK becomes the safest gambling marketplace for all its consumers, businesses, workers and verticals.

Backing the ABSG’s new identity, Neil McArthur, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, stated: “We need to shift the focus from ‘responsible gambling’ to ‘safer gambling’. Responsible gambling suggests that the individual customer is principally in charge of keeping themselves safe. By focusing on safer gambling we want to emphasize that there is a clear onus on gambling operators to protect their customers.

“The ABSG, led by Anna, will continue to provide the crucial advice we need into the long-term delivery of the new National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms which launches later this month,” he added.

Supporting van der Gaag as new chair, the ABSG further confirms the appointment of consumer protection specialist Louise Baxter to its board. Finalizing its first statement as the ABSG, the advisory states that working alongside the UKGC, it will be launching its new “national strategy to reduce gambling harms” - focusing the priorities for the Commission and partners to support prevention and treatment.

Anna van der Gaag commented: “Our new name reflects the need for greater clarity about everyone’s roles in the delivery of the new strategy. Gambling harms are rightly recognized as a public health issue and I welcome the Gambling Commission’s new strategy with its strong focus on both prevention and treatment.

“As the ABSG, we will be bringing a renewed focus on the safety of consumers and prevention of harm, helping to ensure consumers are free from the consequences of gambling harms, that research priorities are high up the Commission’s agenda, and that we are listening and working closely with all our partners,” she concluded.