UKGC: Industry group on safer game design has fallen “significantly short” in key areas

The Gambling Commission (UKGC) has ruled working group progress on a safer code for game design has fallen “significantly short” in several areas.

The UK regulator outlined the concerns in its update of industry progress on three collaborative working groups studying the use of operator incentives, safer advertising standards and safer game design.

Scientific Games and Playtech were appointed to lead the industry group on safer game design back in January, with the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) tapped to draw up the final code.

“In our view, these changes represent some initial tangible actions which are likely to move the debate on at least partially. If delivered within a quick timeframe, these changes would make slots games partially safer for consumers,” the UKGC explained in its report.

However, the regulator questioned why the group had not acted to adopt a maximum stake per spin, a limit which could be adjusted after enhanced due diligence was completed.

An absence of measures to slow down sessions of play over one hour, such as slower spin speed was also questioned by the regulator.

Measures provisionally included by the working group include a minimum spin speed of 2.5 seconds on all slots games and the removal of game features that speed up play, such as turbo-play and quick-spin.

In addition, all games which allow players to place multiple different stakes on multiple slots games within a single account will be prohibited.

The full industry-agreed code will be published by the BGC in September, with certain parts to be implemented by the industry in the time prior to publication.

The UKGC however argued a September 2020 implementation date was much later than desired.

“The proposed timetable of actions does not seem fit for purpose, especially against the backdrop of a shift to online gaming/slots as a result of the Covid-19 crisis,” the UKGC concluded.