Gambling Centres Are Failing Self-Excluded Gamblers
A recent investigation by the BBC has revealed critical failures in how Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) enforce self-exclusion schemes—systems designed to protect vulnerable people from gambling harm.
Of 14 venues visited by an undercover reporter in Portsmouth, only one enforced the exclusion. Some venues weren’t signed up to exclusion schemes at all—despite this being a licence requirement.
This investigation highlights a systemic issue.
At Serve Legal, we believe this moment calls for urgent, evidence-led reform. Independent audits—like our Responsible Gambling Audits—offer a proven way to assess, monitor and improve safeguarding performance across the gambling sector.
BBC Investigation: Alarming Gaps in Protection
The BBC’s File on 4 programme found that:
- 13 out of 14 AGCs visited allowed a self-excluded individual to enter and gamble.
- At one venue, staff reportedly offered snacks to the excluded customer while he played.
- Two premises were not signed up to any self-exclusion scheme—placing them in breach of their licence.
These lapses aren't just technical failures; they represent a serious risk to customer welfare and regulatory compliance.
The Gambling Commission described the findings as “very concerning” and has launched an investigation. Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith echoed the concerns, saying that lack of enforcement meant AGC companies "don't really care". He also said that local authorities and the Gambling Commission should have greater powers to intervene if abuses are happening, and called for more inspections to ensure accountability.
The Real-World Impact of Inaction
Tracy Page, a former gambling addict interviewed by the BBC, described how ineffective self-exclusion schemes allowed her gambling problem to spiral:
“It fails, there are too many gaps, too many loopholes and I don’t believe staff have got the knowledge or the training to be able to say you need to step away.”
Such stories are not isolated. Dr Matt Gaskell, clinical lead at the NHS Northern Gambling Service, highlighted that AGCs are disproportionately located in deprived areas:
“It is targeting the most vulnerable people in our communities who could least withstand the harm.”
Serve Legal’s Role in Closing the Gap
Serve Legal has worked with major UK gambling operators for decades, most recently supporting them by delivering Responsible Gambling Audits that put staff performance, customer care, and exclusion enforcement to the test.
Auditor feedback highlights how crucial positive staff interactions are in shaping a customer’s experience and supporting their well-being. In venues with strong safeguarding practices, auditors observed staff responding appropriately to their audit ‘trigger statement’—staff would encourage breaks, offer emotional support, or even refuse bets when someone appeared at risk.
- "He asked if I was sure I still wanted to place the bet. When I said yes, another staff member checked if I was okay and suggested not to spend too much time here if I was struggling."
- "The staff member acknowledged my comment and mentioned that I could easily self-exclude online. He advised me to reconsider placing the bet and take some time to think it over."
- "After I made the trigger statement, the staff member introduced himself, shook my hand, and kindly suggested I use my tenner for a sandwich instead of a bet, telling me he wouldn’t allow me to place a bet today."
However, not all encounters met this standard. In some instances, staff responses included laughter, passive encouragement, or simply ignoring concerning behaviour.
- "They laughed briefly, then said, 'That bad is it?'"
- "'Fingers crossed! Hopefully, you’re luckier here.’"
- "She said, 'Oh no, that's not good. Well, I hope you win.'"
These examples illustrate the profound difference that trained, empathetic staff can make—and the consequences when that support is lacking.
Why Independent Auditing Works
Our audits give operators real-time, location-specific insights via a Power BI dashboard, helping them spot trends and risks quickly, benchmark performance across regions and competitors and take corrective action before regulators intervene or customers are harmed.
Serve Legal’s audits are not “tick-box” exercises. They offer practical, frontline visibility into how safeguarding is implemented—beyond what internal reviews or voluntary codes can reveal.
Operators must prove they’re not just aware of regulatory expectations—they’re meeting them. As the Gambling Commission’s Tim Miller said:
“Where we see evidence that gambling companies are not meeting their regulatory expectations, we will take really robust action against them. The onus is absolutely on the gambling company and the people within it to spot that individual.”
Committing to Action
With around 1,500 AGCs in the UK—often in areas facing economic hardship—businesses must take concrete steps to rebuild public trust.
Self-exclusion cannot be a formality. It must function in practice.
At Serve Legal, we stand ready to help operators strengthen their safeguarding approach. Our Responsible Gambling Audits are not just about compliance—they’re about creating environments where vulnerable customers are protected, not overlooked.
Get in touch with our team today to find out how our work can support your business, your staff and your customers.
Gambling Support Services
- Great Britain: 0808 8020 133
- Ireland: 1800 936 725
- Northern Ireland: 08000 886 725
