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About Big Bass Bonanza Reel Action
The DIA worked directly with class 4 gambling operators (commonly known as pokies trusts), and discovered ‘widespread issues’ such as cases where money that should have been available for community grants was instead spent on society expenses, such as the purchase of additional gaming machines.
Vicki Scott, the DIA’s director of gambling, said the investigation had delivered significant results, while stressing that work to improve compliance and ensure communities received their share of gambling proceeds would continue.
“Most operators have worked constructively with us to address historical issues and improve their practices,” Scott said.
About Big Bass Bonanza Reel Action
Online gambling participation over four weeks reached 39% (16% excluding lottery-only players), while in-person gambling participation was 29% (18% excluding lottery-only players).
Top non-lottery activities during the period included scratchcards (13%), betting (10%) and online instant win games (8%).
Betting skewed male, with 16% of men gambling on betting compared to 4% of women. Age-wise, overall gambling participation peaked among 45- to 64-year-olds (56%-59%), when excluding lotteries the highest participation was among 35- to 44-year-olds (35%).
What is Big Bass Bonanza Reel Action?
A cross-party committee covering gambling in the House of Lords has recommended a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising across the UK, identifying a reduction in marketing reach as the most effective measure to combat gambling-related harm in Great Britain.
Published on 17 September, the House of Lords Liaison Committee’s follow-up report revisits their 2020 inquiry into the social and economic effects of the gambling industry, with a focus on advertising, marketing and sponsorship.
The committee concluded that current evidence justified taking “meaningful steps” against the sector, including a comprehensive advertising ban, to reduce exposure especially among children and vulnerable groups, and to curb problem gambling.
