The long-awaited white paper on the Gambling Act review was released today, 27 April, after delays and setbacks. Following its publication, Minister for Digital and Culture, Nigel Adams, stated that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will mandate operators to enhance affordability checks for their customers.
"We are going to force companies to step up their checks on when losses are likely to be unaffordable and harmful for punters," Adams remarked. He noted that while companies currently intervene when customers spend excessive amounts, this update aims to bolster protections for those least capable of absorbing even minor losses.
The affordability checks will extend to online slots games, aligning them more closely with traditional gambling establishments. Adams confirmed that the white paper includes proposals for a stake limit on online slots, capping bets between £2 and £15.
In addition, new legislation will impose stricter regulations on VIP schemes, given their allure for individuals struggling with gambling issues. "We know many addicts find that each time they break free from temptation, they are lured back in by online companies through offers like free bets or spins," Adams explained.
To combat this issue, the Gambling Commission has strengthened its rules on online VIP schemes, leading to a 90% reduction in such offers. The commission will also look into ensuring that bonus offers do not further harm vulnerable individuals.
The white paper emphasizes that the DCMS will provide the Gambling Commission with the necessary resources to safeguard vulnerable individuals from gambling-related harms. A key feature will be a new mandatory statutory levy aimed at addressing the challenges of problem gambling. "No one should be denied an innocent flutter, but the public should not bear the cost of treatment when a punter becomes an addict," Adams stated, praising the levy as a significant reform of the 2005 Gambling Act.
To further balance the relationship between players and operators, a non-statutory ombudsman will be appointed, creating a single point of contact for customers. Additionally, Adams expressed support for Premier League initiatives, such as the recent ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships, emphasizing that gambling must remain an adult activity. "Children should not engage in any form of gambling, whether online or through accessible scratchcards," he noted.
The white paper also addresses land-based gambling, with Adams stating that casinos and bingo halls have been disadvantaged under current regulations. He argued that the 2005 Gambling Act requires updates to reflect contemporary realities. "Some assumptions from the time of the 2005 Act now appear outdated, so we aim to rebalance regulation and eliminate restrictions hampering the land-based sector," he said.
In parliament, reactions to the white paper were mixed. Carolyn Harris, chair of the gambling-related harms All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), welcomed the paper, describing it as long overdue. She highlighted that it aligns with many recommendations the APPG made in its 2020 reform blueprint, which included calls for affordability checks, equal stake limits for land and online gambling, an independent ombudsman, and a treatment levy.
However, Harris expressed frustration over the need for additional consultations before implementing many proposed measures. "Today is a momentous occasion that many thought would never happen. But commitments must be fulfilled. We don’t need more consultation. We’ve had two and a half years since the review. Immediate action and legislative change are required after 18 years of the gambling industry’s dominance on this issue," she asserted.
Labour shadow DCMS minister Alex Davis-Jones acknowledged the paper's release but criticized Adams’ comments as lacking in substance and too delayed. "The government has postponed this paper multiple times. Everything being announced today should have been ready a year ago. Six gambling ministers and four culture secretaries have all vowed to publish it imminently," she stated.
The response in parliament also included skepticism from Tory MP Phillip Davies, who questioned the engagement with regular punters prior to introducing the affordability check proposals. He specifically challenged the setting of a £2,000 loss threshold over 90 days, which averages to around £22 per day. "The Conservative Party used to champion individual freedom and responsibility, but that seems to be fading with these affordability check proposals," he commented.
