All-Party Group launches new UK gambling inquiry
Iain Duncan Smith will chair the APPG’s relaunched enquiry into British gambling legislation.
UK.- After two years of regulatory reforms following the publication of the last government white paper on gambling legislation, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Reform APPG’s has launched a new inquiry into the sector. Chaired by veteran Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith, the inquiry will examine the efficacy of existing legislation, including the 2005 Gambling Act and white paper proposals of 2023.
The inquiry will particularly focus on whether legislation has promoted an effective regulation of the gambling industry and a reduction in the levels of gambling harm among the population. It will conclude with a report setting out recommendations for the government.
The APPG has invited stakeholders, including gambling operators, charities, academics, campaigners and financial service operators to submit written evidence on topics such as whether the current regulatory framework is sufficient for regulating gambling and reducing harm, how it could be adapted and futureproofed for new technologies and how to approach the proposal to create a gambling ombudsman.
It’s also interested in hearing feedback on the suitability of proposed liberalisation of land-based gambling regulations outlined in the 2023 Gambling White Paper and proposals for how to ensure the long-term success of the new gambling levy for research, treatment and prevention work.
The APPG said its inquiry will also be informed by a continued programme of parliamentary hearings. The evidence will be collated by the APPG Secretariat and used to inform the written
report
Duncan Smith said in a statement: “Much more needs to be done to ensure our regulatory framework is fit for the digital age to protect people from harm.” He also argued that the British Gambling Commission was a “soft touch governor” and had allowed operators that committed repeat breaches of regulations to “continue operating with minimal consequences.”
The scope of the inquiry’s aims have been defined as:
- Analyse the current gambling policy and legislative landscape, considering whether this
is sufficient for regulating the gambling industry and reducing harm in line with the
Government’s manifesto commitment - Explore the potential of the 2023 Gambling White Paper proposals for delivering an
effective regulatory environment and considering where proposals fail to deliver on harm
reduction aims - To set out recommendations for the Government on what needs to change regarding
gambling regulation to effectively deliver harm reduction - To raise the profile and public awareness of gambling-related harm and the centrality of
effective policy and legislative frameworks for enabling harm reduction
The APPG said the inquiry would seek to:
- Analyse the suitability of current gambling regulations, policies, and legislative frameworks
in the UK - Consider how current legislation and policy intersects with wider policy areas – including
public health, criminal justice, the coronary system, financial services, local government,
the economy and taxation - Assess the status of the harm prevention proposals set out in the previous Government’s
White Paper, including the statutory levy and its implementation, the delivery of an
ombudsman, staking limits, and affordability and financial risk checks - Explore the suitability of the proposed liberalisation of land-based gambling regulations
outlined in the 2023 Gambling White Paper - Assess the need for policy and legislative reform in areas including gambling advertising,
sponsorship, marketing, and new and emerging forms of gambling (e.g. crypto-casinos) - Evaluate the efficacy of the existing regulatory landscape and the work of the Gambling
Commission and other relevant bodies.
Submissions can be made to the inquiry by email via [email protected] by 5pm on Friday, September 12.
