SAFER GAMBLING WEEK 2023 has smashed previous social media records, generating over 50 million impressions across Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram.

Data released following this year’s successful event – which ran from November 13 to 19 – revealed a huge 70 per cent increase on 2022, when Safer Gambling Week messaging was displayed on major social media sites nearly 30 million times.

The initiative, which ran for its seventh year, also received half a million visits to the Safer Gambling Week website which signposted help and advice for those who may be struggling as well as offering advice on safer gambling tools like deposit limits and time outs.

Meanwhile, a large number of cross-party senior MPs and peers – including gambling minister Stuart Andrew MP and several shadow ministers including the Shadow Gambling Minister Stephanie Peacock MP – also gave their backing to the ground-breaking campaign.

This year’s event also had the full support of the independent regulator, the Gambling Commission, and its Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes.

Among the well-known football clubs to support Safer Gambling Week 2023 were Premier League sides West Ham United and Brighton as well as EFL sides Southampton, Middlesborough and Blackpool. With the latter displaying the Safer Gambling Week logo on their shirt for their League One clash with Shrewsbury Town.

The aim of Safer Gambling Week is to kickstart a national conversation between staff, customers and their friends and family, about safer gambling, as well as highlight the range of tools that are available to help people stay in control of their betting.

BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said: “This year’s Safer Gambling Week campaign has proved another huge success, achieving new records for promoting the safer gambling tools available to customers and signposting the help and support available to those who need it.

“It is proven that the success of the campaign leads to increased use of popular safer gambling tools – like time-outs and deposit limits – that only exist in the regulated industry.

“The record numbers for both impressions and website visits show that the industry has never been more committed to ensuring the many millions who enjoy a regular flutter continue to do so in a safe and responsible environment.

“Thanks to Safer Gambling Week, we can be confident millions of people are better informed about the ways they can enjoy their hobby even more safely and responsibly, that’s something the entire industry can be proud of.

“But the regulated industry’s commitment to safer gambling is not just for one week of the year. It is our mission for every week of the year.”

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.