Following the resignation of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the release of the much-anticipated white paper on the UK’s gambling industry regulatory revamp faces its fourth delay. Had things gone as planned, the release had been slated for July 21.
The release of the UK gambling reforms white paper slated for Wednesday has been put on hold for the fourth time. Earlier last week, MPs supporting the proposed reforms tried to persuade the prime minister to approve the tougher restrictions outlined in the white paper, arguing that this would be good for his legacy. However, things have taken a different turn.
As The Guardian reports, advisers to the exiting Tory party leader have justified the postponement by stating that publishing the white paper would still require legislation from Boris Johnson’s successor. The voting in of a new Conservative Party leader is likely to happen in September at the earliest, meaning that talks of the white paper would not resume until much later.
Some Gambling Reformists Not Happy About the Delay
The review process has been going on for two years, since late 2020, so this fourth delay has ruffled some feathers. Campaigners have already taken to different platforms to voice their concerns, given that upright regulation is the glue that holds the UK gambling industry together. Proponents of the reforms have been lobbying for the white paper to be published in the shortest time possible, citing that further delays will only lead to more lives being lost to problem gambling.
Last week, after Johnson’s resignation, some pro-reform MPs accused advisers with ties to the gambling industry of planning to dilute or completely obstruct some of the proposed reforms. Senior adviser David Canzini is among those implicated in the accusation, as he has previously served as a betting firm boss.
Additionally, a Gambling With Lives charity spokesperson was quick to point out the group’s dismay regarding the postponement, raising an issue concerning interference by an unelected official at No 10. The spokesperson also termed the delay as ‘inexcusable,’ saying that tens of thousands of people will be affected and that some will even die as a result. The spokesperson added that:
Quote“Ministers spent two years assessing evidence to develop a white paper, which we hear has been stopped by a single unelected official with links to the gambling industry. The next PM; be warned - bereaved families will be knocking down the door and demanding rapid reform when they take office in September.”
Zoe Osmond, the GambleAware Chief Executive Officer, also chimed in to say:
Quote“We are deeply concerned by the risk of further delays to the gambling White Paper. Failure to act now puts more people at risk of gambling harms and only exacerbates what is an increasingly serious public health issue.”
More Time May Be Needed to Get It Right
As more activists come forward to express disappointment over the delay, some insiders are breathing a sigh of relief. From how they see it, hastening the release process is a mistake considering the weight this type of legislation carries for the UK gambling industry. MP Jack Brereton published a piece on the issue and commended the government for committing “to not announcing any new legislation or policy in the coming weeks.” Part of Brereton’s piece read:
Quote“To rush this now would be a mistake. There are very significant legislative changes and a large number of new policy proposals to betting and gaming which should give Ministers pause for thought.”
The article was published a day before it was confirmed that the government would not be releasing the white paper just yet. Brereton had suggested that the white paper be put on hold until a new PM and a new cabinet are installed. Some of the reasons he gave include the ongoing debates on critical gambling regulation subjects such as:
The article concluded its arguments with the following paragraph:
Quote“The Government has a choice in the coming weeks. Whatever twists and turns come in the storyline of Britain’s political life, this crucial issue affecting millions must never become a sideshow. Betting and Gaming, its customers, and all those who work in the industry deserve better.”
The Ball is Now on Damian’s Court
Before the tussle that led to the resignation of several Tory party ministers and the prime minister, plans were on track to release the white paper by July 21, before the summer recess. The main factors that have contributed to a fourth delay include the resignation of gambling MP Chris Philp and disagreements on some of the content in the paper. Now, the newly appointed Gambling MP, Damian Collins, will have to catch up on issues at his new office before he can be in a position to follow up on any pending reforms.
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