GamProtect’s 47-Year Data Retention
GamProtect has launched with a 47-year data retention length, sparking discussions across the industry, as insiders offer detailed explanations on why such a lengthy retention period has been implemented.
Panel Explains Choice of 47 Years for GamProtect Data Retention Length
The decision to retain data for a period of 47 years by the newly launched GamProtect scheme in the UK has been explained.
GamProtect is described as being a safety solution and has been facilitated by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which lobbies on behalf of gambling companies in the UK.
Head of policy for the BGC Steph Wong hosted a panel at the recent launch event for GamProtect, with guests including Evoke Group’s data protection officer Joseph Gaunt and a pair of executives from the Entain group, Andreas Klug and Jacqueline Gazey.
GamProtect’s decision to hold data for 47 years has made headlines, but Gaunt believes it is a positive step as it could denote the lifetime of a gambler in the UK.
An initial five-year exclusion period is backed up by a further 35-year residual exclusion period, while there is also an additional seven-year archival period on top to make 47 years in total.
“It’s potentially a lifetime,” Gaunt was quoted as saying by Gambling Insider. He added the GamProtect scheme has produced “a really good read across” vulnerable people.
Thousands on GamProtect Already
It was confirmed at the event that some 5,500 individuals are already on GamProtect.
Brands that have signed up to take part in the scheme include the following big names:
- Paddy Power
- Betfair
- Ladbrokes
- Coral
- Bwin
- Sportingbet
- Mr Green
- William Hill
Gazey said there had been an assumption that some individuals flagged by the GamProtect programme would complain, but this has not happened much so far. She added:
“We can’t ignore the fact that individuals, within that five-year period, have the right to complain. Anyone can come to us and say we disagree… at any point.” – Jacqueline Gazey
GamProtect remains in a state of evolution, with changes expected to be made to how it works in the future. Gazey went on to say:
“The reality is we will have to go through the process again… what data should we share… the retention times… We’ve learnt as we’ve gone, but it will be a different ball game.” – Jacqueline Gazey
Collaboration Key to GamProtect Success
With GamProtect taking only a few years from conception to execution, the speed of its arrival has been hailed by the industry.
Klug explained the project dates back to shortly before the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a “proportionate” scheme the target. Regarding the speed of GamProtect coming together, Klug added: “I’ll take that as an achievement.”
However, for some onlookers the close involvement of the BGC – which is often described as a lobby group for the gambling industry – will lead to questions being asked about its validity.
The new Labour government is mulling over potential changes to UK gambling legislation, with calls for a ban on advertising to be introduced after restrictions on sports sponsorships.
