British bookmakers have updated the software of slot machines located in land-based betting shops. Now in multifunctional terminals from time to time there are warnings about the negative consequences of gambling. The new rules were introduced under the influence of The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

The algorithm is based on an assessment of the user's behavioral reactions. If the visitor of the hall loses several bets in a row, opens several games of chance one after another or spends too much time at the machine, the game process is blocked for 30 seconds. During this period, the screen displays a proposal to set limits on bets or a time limit.

At the same time, the program notifies the hall staff about the temporary blocking of the gaming machine. It is assumed that upon receiving such a message, the employee should inform the client about the restrictions available to him.

The new system has already been installed on slot machines located in 1600 BetFred betting shops and 3200 Ladbrokes Coral bookmaker offices across the UK . Also, another British operator began to use the software -William Hill. Previously, all operators were forced to reduce the maximum rate in such slots from £100 to £2.

Nottingham University expert Trent Mark Griffiths said it was a step in the right direction, but suggested that a 30-second break might not be enough to tackle addict users.

Griffiths and his colleagues conducted a study in Norway, where slot machines are blocked for 90 seconds in a similar way. It turned out that even in this case, the number of bets in gambling does not decrease significantly.

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) is the only gambling industry association in the UK representing the interests of bookmakers, land-based and online casinos. Members representing up to 90% of the UK gambling industry are committed to a Code of Conduct designed for responsible gambling.