Social Responsibility in Gambling

Introduction

Air Ambulance Promotions Ltd. operates three lottery draws for the purpose of raising funds for the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust, Registered Charity No. 1021367.

Air Ambulance Promotions Ltd. are committed to ensuring that the lottery draws are operated in a secure, fair and socially responsible way and to endorsing responsible gambling amongst its members.

Safer gambling or social responsibility is all about protecting people from gambling-related harm. The Gambling Commission regulates gambling in the public interest. The regulatory framework introduced by the Gambling Act 2005, is based on the following licensing objectives:

1. Preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime and disorder, or being used to support crime.
2. Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way.
3. Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

This document sets out the approach that Air Ambulance Promotions Ltd. adopts to ensure we approach gambling activities in a socially responsible way.

1. Preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder

When an individual joins a lottery draw we will check that:

• The individual is aged 16 or over.
• The individual is resident in the UK.

We also:

• Impose limits on each draw of a maximum of 20 per week.
• Retain the right to cancel any membership should we suspect criminal activity.
• Ensure all lottery related computers and software is password protected and accessible only by authorised members of staff.
• Adopt a strict and thorough reporting procedure if a member of staff and/or another operator is found to be in any way operating in an illegal or suspicious manner.

2. Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way

We will ensure that:

Players have access to clear information on matters such as the rules of the lottery draws, the prizes that are available and the chances of winning.

Access to player history. We will provide any player with a full history of their lottery account upon request, including full payment and winning history.

• The rules are fair.
• Any advertising and promotional material is clear and not misleading.
• The results are made public.
• We use tried and tested lottery software to administer our lotteries using a software supplier that uses a random number generator in line with Gambling Commission regulations.

3. Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling

3.1 Age verification policy

• Underage gambling is an offence. No prizes will be paid to anyone under the age of 16 years. Staff are therefore trained to be aware of their responsibilities for preventing underage gambling, for returning stakes received from anyone under the age of 16, and for not issuing prizes to underage customers.
• If for whatever reason, upon winning, an individual is unable to prove that they are 16 years of age or older then any winnings will be forfeited. Staff, volunteers and door to door canvassers are trained to ask for appropriate identification if they encounter an individual who does not clearly appear to be over the age of 16. Examples of acceptable identification for age verification purposes include a passport or driving licence.

3.2 Vulnerable persons

• Marketing. To ensure that our lotteries do not appeal to children or young people, careful attention is paid to the design and content of our marketing material.
• Staff, volunteers and door to door canvassers are trained to detect vulnerability in potential customers and politely decline offers of support from such individuals. They are also encouraged to supply the individual with literature, rather than complete the application at the time that vulnerability was detected. People particularly at risk include the elderly, mentally disabled and those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

3.3 Gambling Limits

• Air Ambulance Promotions Ltd., imposes limits on each lottery draw of a maximum of 20 per week.
• If a member of staff has a concern that an individual’s behaviour may indicate problem gambling, they will be trained to report the matter to the responsible person on our licence. The responsible person, Lynne Harris, will contact the individual to discuss the matter, including explanation of the help that is available for problem gamblers. In severe cases, consideration will be given to banning the individual from participating in our lottery draws.

3.4 Self-Exclusion

3.4.1 See Air Ambulance Promotions Ltd. Self Exclusion Policy Document

3.5 Promotion of social responsibility in gambling

• We provide contact details on our website and via other appropriate media and literature to GamCare and other relevant/appropriate organisations.
• We provide self help and awareness information on our website and other appropriate media together with contact details of GamCare and other relevant/appropriate organisations.
• Through our membership to the Lotteries Council, we regularly contribute to the Responsible Gambling Trust to fund research and public education on the risks of gambling and how to gamble safely.