Two eminent specialists have been added to the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The addition of Drs. Spencer Murch and Vivre Marionneau to the board will strengthen its goal of encouraging responsible gaming in the United Kingdom.
With the gaming business constantly changing, the ABSG—which is vital in protecting gamers who are more susceptible—benefits greatly from the vast experience that Drs. Marionneau and Murch bring to the table. Both have made substantial contributions to our understanding of gambling practices and laws and are acknowledged as “respected academics.”
Dr. Marionneau is a leading sociologist and serves as the director of the Centre for Research on Addiction, Control, and Governance at the University of Helsinki, Finland. Her work encompasses various aspects of gambling, including regulatory frameworks, policy evaluations, and the examination of digital gambling environments. She focuses on understanding gambling practices and the qualitative experiences and harms associated with them.
In contrast, Dr. Murch is a cognitive psychologist and an AGRI Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Calgary, Canada. His research delves into the cognitive, behavioral, and psychophysiological profiles of addictive digital usage. He specializes in identifying at-risk players and is exploring how artificial intelligence can be leveraged to intervene and prevent excessive gambling.
Commitment to Enhanced Regulation
Both new board members expressed enthusiasm about their appointments. Dr. Marionneau stated, “I am thrilled to be a part of this impressive team of experts, and I look forward to advising particularly on regulatory practices and research from other jurisdictions.” Her statement underscores her commitment to enhancing gambling regulations.
Dr. Murch echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the significance of the ABSG’s mandate. He remarked, “The mandate of this group [ABSG] is important, timely, and represents an opportunity to transform research insights into working harm prevention policies.” His perspective highlights the urgency of understanding the potential threats to public health in the UK and beyond.
The ABSG’s chair, Anna van der Gaag, welcomed the new members with enthusiasm. She praised their academic credentials and expressed confidence in their ability to contribute valuable insights into gambling regulation. “I am delighted to be welcoming them and have no doubt they will bring valuable new insights to an ever-expanding range of topics which inform policy and practice in gambling regulation,” said van der Gaag.
In a related development, the UKGC recently took legal action against Sorare for alleged illegal gambling practices, further demonstrating its commitment to upholding responsible gambling standards.
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