Gambling - Industry Group for Responsible Gambling updates advertising code

The Industry Group for Responsible Gaming (IGRC) Has released an updated 3rd edition of their Code of practice for socially responsible advertising, which will come into effect this year. IGRC is made up of the five trade association, which represent all sectors, namely:

• Association of British Bookmakers (ABB)
• BACTA
• The Bingo Association (BA)
• National Casino Forum (NCF)
• Remote Gambling Association (RGA)

The original Code was introduced in 2007. Its main purpose was to augment the primary advertising regulations which are overseen by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Following a government review into all aspects of gambling advertising, the industry code was updated and expanded.

Compliance with the Code is a condition of every Operators licence issued by the Gambling Commission.

The latest version of the Code can be found on the IGRC website here.

The 3^rd edition includes updates to their social media guidance including the following requirements:

• that gambling operators carry the required social responsibility and age requirements on consumer facing marketing content on their YouTube channels.
• that operators use the Twitter age-screening function when marketing to consumers.
• that operators age restrict all direct marketing video uploads to YouTube.