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UK Gambling Scene Chimes in on the Newly Published White Paper
By Jeff Osienya Apr 30, 2023 IndustryNow that UK’s gambling white paper is published, citing a range of recommendations for a regulatory revamp, backers and critics, have come at the government with praise and discontent in equal measure. Join us as we highlight some of the voiced opinions.Following the publication of the gambling white paper on Thursday, the UK is about to face the most exhaustive regulatory reforms in the gambling industry in nearly 20 years.
The review process for the gambling regulations to bring them up to par with the currently expanded iGaming scene in the UK started late in 2020. Two years down the line, after several delays partly due to the nation’s political climate, the white paper is here with a slew of reforms some of which were already expected. The most notable proposals fronted in the white paper include:
- Affordability checks
- A compulsory 1% levy on revenue generated by operators.
- New limits for slot machine wagers per spin ranging between £2 and £15.
- Relaxing some of the restrictions placed on brick-and-mortar casinos.
- Stricter advertising measures for iGaming promotions
- Granting more powers to the Gambling Commission to fight the black market.
- Promote safer gambling by creating another gambling industry ombudsman.
Industry Executives Show Support for the Gambling White Paper
The CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), Michael Dugher welcomed the gambling white paper saying in part:
Quote“On behalf of our many members, the 110,000 people whose jobs rely on the regulated betting and gaming industry, and the 22.5 million people who enjoy a bet each month, we welcome the much-delayed publication of the Gambling White Paper. We need time to consider the full detail and impacts of these proposals, but it is important to recognise the BGC has worked closely with Government to deliver a wide-ranging package of balanced, proportionate, and effective reforms.”
Meanwhile, Entain CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen voiced her company’s readiness to abide by the new reforms in a statement as follows:
Quote“The UK Gambling Act Review is an important step towards having a robust regulatory framework that is fit for the digital age and creates a level playing field for all operators. We welcome the clarity that it will bring to the industry and its customers. We look forward to working with the Government and the Gambling Commission on evidenced-based consultations and implementation of the proposals outlined today.”
Likewise, Peter Jackson, the Chief Executive Officer of Flutter hailed the proposed regulatory reforms while highlighting its participation in protecting players in the briefing below:
Quote“We welcome the publication of the White Paper, which we see as a significant positive moment for the UK gambling sector, raising standards and bringing the regulatory framework into the digital age. We believe proactive change will lead to a better future for our industry and have introduced industry-leading safer gambling controls via our 'Play Well' strategy over the last few years, including setting mandatory deposit limits for customers under 25, reducing online slots staking limits, and making material investments in our safer gambling operational capabilities.”
Anti-gambling Lobbyists and Public Health Experts Call Out the White Paper
Even though there are plenty of things that the white paper has done right, detractors have come guns blazing, pushing for tougher measures and quicker progress in regulatory changes.
For instance, critics have argued that the recommended advertising reforms aren’t substantive enough to fight problem gambling. While charities and anti-gambling advocates have established a relationship between gambling addiction and some forms of advertising, the UK government rejected any such sentiment in the report.
So, as the Gambling with Lives charitable organization sees it the only practical way to completely reduce gambling harm is a blanket ban on gambling advertising. The co-founder of the Gambling with Lives charity asserted that:
Quote“We now need to push… for an end to all gambling advertising… and… do more to make the most dangerous products safer, further reducing stake sizes and play speeds.”
Further, A lot of specialists in the public health sector, anti-gambling campaigners, and some members of the British parliament are not happy with the generous implementation timeline for the long-overdue regulatory overhaul. For example, Matt Gaskell, a consultant psychologist, and head of the NHS Northern Gambling Service cautioned that Britons would keep suffering if the reforms were not introduced much sooner.
Meanwhile, in as much as the white paper was lauded in the UK legislature, some MPs are also insisting that the government must act faster to adopt the much-needed changes. For instance, the DCMS Shadow Secretary, Lucy Powell, faulted the government for the overly long implementation timeline saying:
Quote“There’s no reason we can’t get all this done by the Summer recess.”
As pressure on the government to expedite the adoption of the proposals mounts, we have to give it to the DCMS, the measures are definitely a notable upgrade to the outdated 2005 Gambling Act. When the reforms are refined after consultations and finally approved as law, the gambling sector will certainly be a much safer environment for Brits who enjoy the activity.
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