Gamstop chosen by Betting and Gaming Council to run single customer view trial

The Betting and Gaming Council has revealed that online self-exclusion body Gamstop is to run a trial of the single customer view (SCV), a project designed to reduce gambling harm which has raised concerns among some observers.

The idea of the SCV is to prevent customers who have exhibited signs of severe problem gambling, or as being at a high risk, from simply moving to another operator without an intervention.

In October, the SCV moved a step nearer when the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) advised the Gambling Commission that such a system could work under data protection law. That prompted gambling minister Chris Philp to tell the gambling industry that "operators must now come together to quickly deliver a meaningful solution".

However, the Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) has said it continues to have concerns about how personal information will be used and whether there will be an appeals process. There have also been concerns that operators would use data to close down or restrict winning punters and about the industry itself developing the system.

The BGC has claimed its approach would not infringe on the personal data of the overwhelming majority of people and would not create what would amount to a national register of punters.

Members of the BGC have invested more than a million pounds in the system, which it said would be ready to test by the end of March. The council also claimed the trial scheme would be governed by a strict code of conduct and controls around how operators should engage with customers and how information would be used.

BGC executive director for standards and innovation Wes Himes said: "I am delighted with the commitment from BGC members and the significant financial investment they are undertaking to get on with delivering this scheme quickly.

"While many companies put forward proposals for this system, it was clear that Gamstop stood out from the rest. They are uniquely placed as they currently operate the online gambling self-exclusion scheme which has helped more than 250,000 people over the last five years.

"We are committed to ensuring the trial scheme which focuses on those most at risk is proportionate and effective. We are getting on with the work of change and once again, demonstrating that despite the challenges and complexities, when it comes to safer gambling, technology is our friend."

HBF Chairman Colin Hord has concerns over how SCV will be implemented.Credit: David Carr

HBF chairman Colin Hord said the body was "fully supportive" of measures to reduce levels of gambling harm.

He added: "It appears that the proposed trial single customer view will be aimed at those who are most at risk and will not include those who bet within their means and show no harmful impacts."

However, Hord said there were still concerns over the proposals. A report published last week claimed the personal data of gambling operators' customers was already being widely shared with third parties.

He added: "The HBF continues to be concerned about how gambling operators make use of players' personal information and the latest study, Digital Profiling in the Online' Gambling Industry, highlights how widely players' information is shared.

"We are seeking assurances on how the data within SCV will be shared, its accuracy and longevity. We also wish to see some form of appeal process being introduced so that a player who has inadvertently been included can have their details removed."

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