The UK government will introduce a voluntary code for prize draws and competitions this year rather than impose regulation, minister Baroness Fiona Twycross told the House of Commons. The code’s results will inform whether the government considers legislation later; details have not yet been provided.
Prize draw operators will initially follow a voluntary code, with its results potentially informing later legislation.
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The Responsible Online Gaming Association launched a voluntary marketing and advertising code adopted by all its members. The code covers age protections, marketing content, digital promotion and responsible gaming, and ROGA said compliance will be assessed within its forthcoming independent certification programme.
It was reported that ALEA presented a voluntary commercial-communications code for gambling businesses and marketing partners. It addresses licensed-brand identification, accurate information and protection of minors and vulnerable audiences.
ALEA presented an updated responsible commercial communications code in Buenos Aires on 16 July, the association said. The voluntary framework covers digital marketing, artificial intelligence, affiliates and influencers, and may be adopted by provincial lotteries and the Lottery of the City of Buenos Aires. Regulatory authorities in each jurisdiction retain enforcement responsibility.
New South Wales published a voluntary code for hotels, pubs and clubs using facial recognition at venues with gaming machines. The guidance covers biometric data security, privacy and staff responses, and is intended to help identify self-excluded customers and address money-laundering risks; separate shutdown rules for gaming machines are due by 31 March.
The UK’s increase in Machine Games Duty from 20% to 25% for higher-value category B machines does not protect all seaside arcade income, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association said. Category C machines remain taxed at 20% and category D machines at 5%; Bacta said income from category B machines in adult gaming centre sections helps support wider arcade operations, but it has not yet assessed how many machines will face the higher rate.
Machine Games Duty is rising from 20% to 25% solely for higher-value category B gaming machines, according to the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (Bacta). Many traditional seaside arcades depend on revenue from those machines to sustain their broader operations. The association said the chancellor’s attempt to shield pubs and seaside amusements did not fully reflect how coastal businesses operate.