National Lottery operator Camelot has become the first UK lottery company to achieve GamCare’s highest standard of corporate responsibility.Camelot, which has operated the National Lottery since its inception 25 years ago, has achieved Advanced Level 2 of GamCare’s Safer Gambling Standard for its online and retail operations. It is one of the first online gaming operators to meet the standard.
Camelot said the new accreditation forms part of its wider corporate responsibility strategy, which centres on promoting healthy play with National Lottery games in retail and online.
“Camelot has developed tools and programmes to promote healthy play to all our players, as we continue to make The National Lottery the safest environment to play,” said Alison Gardner, Camelot’s head of corporate responsibility.
“Achieving Advanced Level 2 of the GamCare Safer Gambling Standard endorses our work in this area, and is an important part of our overall strategy, as we continue to improve how we support our players, encourage healthy play and prevent underage play.”
GamCare is the UK’s national centre for information, advice and practical help regarding the social impact of gambling. The Safer Gambling Standard is GamCare’s social responsibility quality standard for licensed gaming operators. It aims to increase overall standards of social responsibility practice across the industry, helping to make play safer for all.
Camelot said the three-month accreditation process involved the completion of a multi-faceted assessment, with GamCare reviewing Camelot’s responsible play policies and processes, its website, visiting National Lottery retailers, and interviewing members of staff across various teams at Camelot.
“GamCare also found that the responsible play measures that are in place are well integrated into Camelot’s culture,” it pointed out.
The operator added that it has developed a range of initiatives and tools to make The National Lottery “the safest place to play”. For online players, this includes age verification checks carried out by Experian and the ability to reduce limits instantly. The use of credit cards on its digital platforms is also not permitted.
In retail, Camelot carries out mystery shopper visits at its retail partners, with a 91% pass rate in 2018/19, and trains and educates retailers through its ‘Being a Responsible Retailer’ programme.
