Total of 91 responses in advance of UK white paper publication

The UK Parliament has released 91 responses relating to the Gambling Review through its Public Accounts Committee. The details of the responses referred to various “diverse and conflicting” opinions on the regulatory approach of the UK gambling sector. The purpose of the exercise led by the Government is to examine the regulation of gambling and monitor the Government’s progress on the matter.

Answers address concerns

The review of the 2005 Gambling Act is finalised and pending publication any time now. Topics addressed in the White Paper will include age limits and verification of identity for online gamers, safe gambling and protection of users, scale of gambling-related harm, and the work of the regulator to keep up with emerging new technologies and innovation.? Advertising and sponsorship are also considered to be key issues. An update of land-based gambling will also be revised as the law has not changed since 2005.

Needless to say, the introduction of online gambling means that additional problems arose when UK online gamers used the services of companies in other jurisdictions outside the UK. The written responses were from the Public Accounts Committee to the Department for Culture, Media and Sports.

The Betting and Gaming Council, British Horseracing Authority and Lotteries Council and the Lotteries Council were all consulted to provide data for the responses. iGaming operators and other stakeholders also submitted responses to the inquiry and these included Flutter Entertainment, bet365, Bally’s Corporation, Metropolitan Gaming, and 888 Holdings.

Background

The White Paper has been further delayed due to the changes in the UK government.? So far, three Prime Ministers have lead the country in one year and the reforms were put on the back burner.? At one point there were rumours that former Prime Minister Liz Truss was considering to scrap the White Paper.

However Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the review has been completed and promised again that the publication of the white paper will take place any time time.

“We continue to call for big changes so that standards in safer gambling continue to improve, but these changes must be carefully targeted to protect the small minority who are at risk or vulnerable, and not interfere with the overwhelming majority who enjoy betting safely and responsibly.

“We have already called for an ombudsman to improve consumer redress and have engaged extensively with previous ministers. It’s time now for the Government to end the damaging uncertainty and get on with publishing the white paper as soon as possible.”

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