GVC to introduce curfew capability and slot stake limits

GVC will give customers the ability to set stake limits on online slots in the coming weeks as part of increased responsible gambling measures in the time of the coronavirus.

The operator was supportive of new Gambling Commission (UKGC) guidance for UK operators announced yesterday to focus on increasing player protection safeguards during lockdown.

GVC will also add curfew capability, allowing players to set parameters for their play, as it seeks to bolster its full suite of responsible gambling tools.

EGR understands the curfews will allow players to schedule set times when they will not be able to make deposits, with the feature including the ability to restrict deposits to certain times of day, days of the week or month as required.

There is also is a mandatory 24-hour cooling off period following amendments to existing curfews which have been set up, prohibiting customers from turning off and depositing immediately.

As with the curfew capability, slot stake limits will also include a mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period for any changes.

Earlier this week, the UKGC confirmed there had been no rise in problem gambling rates since the lockdown began, but revealed activity across certain verticals including online casino and virtual sports had increased, while gaming sessions of more than one hour were also on the rise.

Under pressure from politicians, the regulator has asked licensees to cease offering bonuses to at-risk players and communicate with customers who are gambling for more than one hour in a single session of play.

Kenny Alexander, GVC CEO

GVC CEO Kenny Alexander said the operator welcomed the new measures and reiterated the fact there had been no rise in problem gambling rates.

“Nevertheless, we remain committed to taking all necessary actions to keep our customers safe whilst they enjoy our products,” said Alexander.

“Providing a robust safety net for those who may experience harm is particularly important during this unprecedented time of uncertainty and social restrictions.

“That is why we continue to enhance our tools to track problematic play so that we can proactively interact with any player if we see changes that suggest they are having problems,” he added.

In the period since the lockdown, GVC has introduced two new markers of harm to its existing safer-gambling algorithm, with the aim of identifying problem gambling behaviour at an earlier stage.

The new markers review player behaviour both pre- and post-lockdown, while GVC has also introduced sliding scale interventions which can provide for the suspension and closure of player accounts.

Additional responsible gambling messaging to players has also been introduced.

Elsewhere, GVC has widened its blacklist of banned marketing terms for affiliate partners to include coronavirus-themed messaging.

The London-listed operator has outlawed the use of almost 650 words to date and has added to the list since global Covid-19 lockdowns began.

GVC blacklisted a number additional terms that relate to the lockdown or suggest that gambling is a distraction from anxiety or boredom. Also included within the updated blacklist are words like: Covid, Coronavirus, virus, lockdown, bored/boredom, difficulty sleeping, worried, issues and anxiety.

GVC welcomes the UK Gambling Commission's additional guidance to the industry on the prioritisation of customer protection during the lockdown period: https://t.co/HliHbzaHZ1

— Entain (@EntainGroup) May 12, 2020

Firms including GiG and Rightlander moved to offer operators coronavirus tracking software in March after some affiliates were found to have used Covid-19 as a theme in marketing material.