EPIC Global Solutions will headline its Safer Gambling Week coverage with a female-focused webinar revealing the “hidden side of problem gambling”.
The session, set to be broadcast on Thursday (21 November), will feature EPIC Consultant Megan Vanderson “providing a lived experience insight” into the predominantly female panel.
Also present will be Sandra Naughton, Head of CPCC-UK Digital and Retail at Entain, and Taina Grech, Responsible Gambling Quality Assurance Manager at Kindred Group. It will be moderated by EPIC Senior Consultant Craig Cornforth.
Safer Gambling Week is a cross-industry initiative to promote safer gambling in the UK and Ireland run by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the Bingo Association and BACTA, with backing from the UK Gambling Commission.
2024 marks the eighth consecutive year of the event which will run from 18-24 November.
As part of its aim to share the “stories behind the statistics” during the event, EPIC has also released videos featuring the ex-professional footballer and EPIC Senior Consultant, Marc Williams.
Williams, a former problem gambler, visited Hereford Racecourse where he delivered personal insights into preventing problem gambling.
Additionally, ahead of the start of Safer Gambling Week, he has also helped EPIC deliver its gambling harm prevention programme to over a third of Scottish Professional Football League clubs (SPFL).
Facilitated by William Hill, title sponsors of the competition, 16 clubs across all four SPFL divisions have received the session – with a further five set to take place during Safer Gambling Week.
On the impact of the programme so far, Williams said: “The sessions have been really well received and we’ve had lots of positive conversations about our message. Crucially, players are coming forward to discuss their personal relationship with gambling or the culture around gambling that they’ve experienced in Scotland.
“It’s been great to hear from the players that they can relate to my story. Some of my experiences tally with their own, as I tell them how my gambling transitioned from being fun to being detrimental to my mental health and performance as I moved into disordered gambling.”
UK Gambling backs full coverage of SG Week 2024
Leaders from across the industry have also shown their support for Safer Gambling Week.
Starting off with the UK Government, Baroness Twycross, Minister for Gambling, commented: “Safer Gambling Week is a good opportunity to recognise the important work being done to help protect those at risk of gambling harms.
“We welcome the industry using this week to highlight the tools and support available to prevent people suffering potentially life-changing harm. The Government is currently considering the full range of gambling policy and will update in due course.”
Andrew Rhodes, UKGC’s Chief Executive, added: “Ensuring safety should always be central to every aspect of gambling.
“However, Safer Gambling Week offers a valuable chance to emphasise this priority even further. It also enables operators to exchange best practices, helping to make gambling in Britain among the safest experiences worldwide.”
In 2023, the number of players setting reality checks rose by 300% for the second year in a row and Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the BGC hailed the campaign as contributing to the “increased use of safer gambling tools – like time-outs and deposit limits”.
