Safer Gambling Week 2025 (#SGWeek2025) takes place this week (17-23 November), with all UK gambling stakeholders expressing their full commitment to promoting safer play and responsible gambling. 

Entering its ninth consecutive year, the initiative is co-led and coordinated by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), amusement trade body BACTA, the Bingo Association – and all other memberships associated with UK Gambling. 

Last year’s edition highlighted that over 1.5 million unique accounts used a safer gambling tool during the week, which was a 22% YoY increase. The number of people who set deposit limits went up by 14%. 

Furthermore, more than 60 million impressions on online safer gambling messages were generated across the biggest social media platforms – X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. It is safe to say that the organisers will aim to break these records in 2025 in the week running from 17 to 23 November.

Baroness Twycross, UK’s Minister for Gambling, said: “As a Government, we are fully committed to reducing harmful gambling and protecting those at risk. That is why we have introduced a statutory levy aimed at providing funding to tackle this.

“We welcome the contribution that Safer Gambling Week makes. It provides a good opportunity to highlight the tools and support that is available to people who may need it.”

Also engaging with the campaign was Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the UK Gambling Commission, who reiterated the importance of this week’s activity for the industry and its commitment to consumer protection. 

“While progress has been made, we must continue to ensure that the tools and protections available to consumers are effective and widely promoted.

“Collaboration and evidence-based action remain central to making gambling in Great Britain fairer, safer, and crime-free,” Rhodes commented.

Joining the responsible gambling conversation was also Louie French, Conservative Party MP and Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, who said: “I’m backing the Safer Gambling Week campaign to tackle gambling-related harm. This important initiative brings the industry together to support safe and responsible gambling.

“Millions of people safely enjoy a flutter every month, whether it’s on the horses, football, or the lottery. But for some, gambling can cause immense harm to their lives. It’s vital that the industry quickly identifies and supports these people.”

Interestingly, French also made a comment against the widely-speculated gambling tax increases that are expected to be announced with the UK’s new Budget on 26 November.

The public debate has been led by speculations whether Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will increase the duties across the board or leave betting out of the equation.

In his Safer Gambling Week statement, French added: “If the Government taxes people away from regulated bookmakers, they’ll fuel unsafe betting online.”