Tim Miller, Executive Director of Policy Development for the UK Gambling Commission, underpinned that collaboration remains at the forefront of their approach to responsible gambling.
“As a regulator, we are committed to collaboration wherever possible”, he stated after kicking off his speech by lauding the growth of the relationship between the financial sector and the gambling industry, emphasising that the sector hadn’t previously been as engaged with the topic of gambling harm.”
Collaboration could be vital in various forms, according to Miller, who pinpointed working with operators and other regulators in order to ensure the industry is “fairer, safer and crime free”.
Miller added: “As we continue to move from a voluntary funded treatment and towards a statutory levy, a commitment to working together will remain of vital importance and that should include working with the widest range of voices and that should include all those with the knowledge, insights, skills and experience needed to make the future industry a success.
“I think the national strategy was a success in shifting the landscape from what was a quite disparate and sometimes unhealthily competitive environment, towards one that has more willingness to engage with a variety of voices.
“It was for example, during the life of the national strategy, that we saw, for the first time, the voice of lived experience being embedded in many organisations in the space. However, as we started to get closer to the statutory levy becoming a reality, it has felt like attempts to exclude certain voices have grown.”
The “exclusion of voices” is something that Miller warned against as he drew upon experience from the national strategy, where he underpinned the importance of acknowledging that each experience is very different.
“We have also got to ensure that we hear the voice of all consumers, including those that are gambling without harm. If the future system wants to genuinely take a preventative approach then understanding why some people don’t experience harm is an equally important part of understanding what will prevent harm.
“We also have to hear from voices of those that are working in existing services. I have also regularly heard from people who have been greatly helped by existing services or who currently rely on these services.
“Whatever future structures and systems may look like, being able to draw upon many of those whose work is already making a difference is key to whatever comes next.
“Finally, we should hear relevant voices from within the industry, don’t misinterpret what I’m saying here – the industry should not be able to make decisions about treatment and support services are designed – equally, research under the levy, should be demonstrably independent in how it is commissioned and operated – people have to be confident that the levy system works in a way that is not influenced by commercial decisions, but that does not mean the industry has nothing of value to add.”
He reminded that transparency, openness and including the broadest range of voices, shouldn’t impact the independence of the system, but can boost everyone when it comes to pulling in the same direction.
