Positive step: betting shops to launch cooling-off feature on gaming machines

A new 'cooling-off' feature is set to be introduced to gaming machines in betting shops as part of the recently launched Betting and Gaming Council's safer gambling commitments.

The Anonymous Player Awareness System (APAS) is described as a "real-time algorithm" which identifies areas of player behaviour that could indicate harmful play.

Such behaviour triggers an alert on-screen and forces a break in play, while staff will be alerted at the same time, allowing them to speak to the player when appropriate.

The BGC said APAS was the result of two years of development, trialling and evaluation to develop an algorithm which includes markers which have been identified by academic research as being most likely to be displayed by players at risk of harm.

The system supplements existing safer gambling tools on the machines which include time and spend limit setting and responsible gambling messaging.

BGC chairman Brigid Simmonds said: "I am delighted to launch these new measures as part of Responsible Gambling Week. The Betting and Gaming Council has as its mission statement raising standards and this technology will create an environment that promotes safer play."

The new feature is part of the safer gambling commitments launched by the BGC last week which also include £10 million of funding which is set to be provided for a national education programme designed and delivered by the charities GamCare and YGAM for children and young people over the next four years.

BGC interim chief executive Wes Himes said: "I see this as an opportunity to champion the highest standards and share best practice on safe betting and gaming, and we hope these new measures are a sign of intent.

"I'm convinced this approach can help restore public trust, and I look forward to working on further safer betting and gaming initiatives across our industry."

The maximum stake on FOBTs was reduced to £2 from £100 in April in response to concerns they were fuelling problem gambling following years of pressure from campaigners, politicians and the media.

More than 1,000 betting shops have closed since then as a result of the new stake making them unviable.

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