This month’s free to attend SR Exchange which is taking place on 31st October in the heart of Birmingham, is the first of a quartet of bacta initiatives which will underline the land-based sector’s  commitment to deliver safe, responsible and enjoyable gambling entertainment.
The SR Exchange which provides an important opportunity for consumer-facing staff to share their lived-experience of implementing safer gambling practices, precedes Safer Gambling Week (13 – 19 November) which is supported by bacta alongside the Betting and Gaming Council, the Lotteries Council and the Bingo Association, the bacta National Convention (22 November) which has SR at its core and the bacta organsied Safer Gambling Hub, the industry-acclaimed initiative which occupies a prominent position on the EAG show floor (16 – 18 February, ExCeL, London).
Expanding on the purpose of the SR Exchange bacta Chief executive John White said: “There are numerous events, seminars and symposia which focus on social responsibility many of which do a good job dealing with the issue from an academic or theoretical perspective. However, the bacta SR Exchange is a completely different proposition in that it explores SR from a practical stand point drawing on the experience of staff members charged with implementing policies and practices at the coal face.
“As the title suggests it’s about exchanging insights and best practice with industry colleagues helping to equip them with the knowledge and confidence to deliver a safer gambling experience in keeping with the bacta Code of Conduct.”
Following the morning welcome which will include a key note delivered by Mandy Gill, the Gambling Commission’s Director of Industry and Specialist Knowledge, attendees will be invited to participate in three Breakout Sessions.
The first Breakout will explore techniques for approaching, managing and calming a customer that has become abusive and potentially violent; the second session will look at how to hold a conversation with a customer that’s been identified as being in need of a Customer Interaction in a range of different circumstances. The final Breakout Session will explore how to manage a self-excluded customer who is in breach of their self-exclusion. It will also discuss how to manage the return to gambling once a self-excluder’s exclusion period is complete.
White concluded: “I would like to stress that the SR Exchange is not a conventional Conference delivered by academics. Instead it’s about learning practical skills and approaches from colleagues who have been there, who understand machine players and who know the gambling landscape.”
The 2023 bacta SR Exchange comprising a blended exhibition, conference and participative live event, will take place on 31 October at the IET Austin Court, a purpose-built events venue situated in the heart of Birmingham. Registration for the free to attend event: https://bactasr-exchange-2023-registration.eventbrite.co.uk