Government welcomes new measures to make online slot games safer

The government has welcomed a package of tougher player protection measures for online gaming announced by the Gambling Commission on Tuesday, including the introduction of limits on spin speeds.

The new controls, which include the permanent ban of features that speed up play or celebrate losses as wins, will need to be fully implemented by online operators by October 31.

The Gambling Commission said its data showed that slot games have by far the highest average losses of online gambling products, with the average spend per slots player coming to £67 per month, compared with £36 for casino products and £45 for real event betting.

Online slots games are worth £2.2 billion a year to the sector in gross gambling yield.

Other changes designed to make games less intensive and to give players more control over their gambling include a ban on autoplay and on reverse withdrawals, which allow players to re-gamble money they had previously requested to withdraw.

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Gambling Commission chief executive Neil McArthur said: "To make online games safer we are introducing a ban on features that speed up play, or give the illusion of control over the outcome.

"We are also introducing a ban on autoplay, losses disguised as wins, and slot spin speeds faster than 2.5 seconds. The evidence shows that these features increase the risk of harm to customers.

"This is another important step in making gambling safer and where the evidence shows that there are other opportunities to do that we are determined to take them."

The move follows a consultation launched last year which ran separately to the government's ongoing review of the 2005 Gambling Act.

The Gambling Commission is also currently running a consultation about the introduction of affordability checks for customers of online gambling operators, a move which British racing fears could hit the sport's income by as much as £100 million if it results in the most stringent limits.

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Sports minister Nigel Huddleston 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."

Betting and Gaming Council chief executive Michael Dugher was another to welcome the announcement, adding that the organisation's members had already introduced measures including the slowing down of spin speeds and banning several gaming features which had caused concern.

He added: "None of these new changes apply to the unsafe, unregulated black market online, but the BGC will work with the regulator, academics, consumers and individuals with lived experience of betting-related harm to identify further best practice in game design going forward, to ensure we keep up to date with changes in technology."

The news was also welcomed by Lord Foster of Bath, the chair of the Peers for Gambling Reform group. However, he added: "There is much more to do on areas such as the characteristics that make games more addictive, stake limits and the categorisation of games by addictiveness."

Previous measures implemented by the Gambling Commission include the banning of gambling on credit cards and new rules to stamp out irresponsible 'VIP customer' practices.

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