Gambling regulation

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 21 Dec 2022 Closed: 21 May 2024 Parliament page
MPs are to examine the Government’s approach to the regulation of gambling, following warnings that more needs to be done to protect people, including children, from gambling-related harm. The DCMS Committee inquiry will be investigating the progress the Government has made in addressing the issues raised by Parliament, how to … Read more
23 Recommendations
5 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
14 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 24 events
21 May
2024
Correspondence
19 Apr
2024
Report published
21 Feb
2024
Correspondence
6 Feb
2024
Correspondence
21 Dec
2023
Report published
13 Dec
2023
Correspondence
12 Dec
2023
Correspondence
21 Nov
2023
Correspondence
14 Nov
2023
Correspondence
18 Oct
2023
Correspondence
19 Sep
2023
Correspondence
12 Sep
2023
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
5 Sep 2023
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Andrew Rhodes · Gambling Commission Ben Dean · Department for Culture, Media and Sport Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport Sarah Gardner · Gambling Commission Tim Miller · Gambling Commission
18 Jul 2023
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Charles Ritchie · Gambling with Lives Dr James Noyes · Social Market Foundation Dr Matthew Gaskell · NHS Northern Gambling Service Professor Heather Wardle · University of Glasgow Will Prochaska · Gambling with Lives
11 Jul 2023
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John White · Bacta Michael Dugher · Betting and Gaming Council Miles Baron · Bingo Association Wes Himes · Betting and Gaming Council
16 May 2023
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Anna Hargrave · GambleAware Anna Hemmings · GamCare Matthew Hickey · Gordon Moody
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - Gambling regulation HC 176 21 Dec 2023 28 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
28 results
1 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Publish detailed timetable for delivery of Gambling White Paper proposals and legislation.
It is welcome that the Government and Gambling Commission are proceeding with the various consultations on the White Paper at pace, but delivering its main proposals by summer next year will be challenging and at risk from wider political events. … Read more
Government Response
The government did not provide a detailed timetable for the delivery of the White Paper's proposals or the introduction of primary legislation, instead explaining its chosen implementation approach via existing powers and secondary legislation.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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2 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Ensure thorough White Paper consultations receive input from an appropriate range of stakeholders.
Though speed is a necessity, the Government and Gambling Commission must ensure that the White Paper consultations are thorough and receive input from an appropriate range of stakeholders.
Government Response
The government agrees on the need for thorough consultations with appropriate stakeholders, noting the importance of speed in implementing new protections, and states that their ongoing consultation process has already provided invaluable evidence.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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3 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Annual fee adjustment power will properly resource Gambling Commission for White Paper reforms.
We welcome the forthcoming review of the Gambling Commission’s fees and the proposal to give the Commission the power to adjust its own fees annually. These will be vital to ensure the regulator is properly resourced to implement the White … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the committee’s endorsement of the proposal to give the Gambling Commission authority to set licence fees and will continue to work on reforms to the funding framework to ensure adequate resourcing.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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4 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Address unlicensed gambling sites targeting self-excluded users through new legislative powers.
We consider that while it will be important to monitor the size of the black market in response to greater regulation, more pertinent is the fact that, right now, a number of easily-accessible illegal sites are targeting some of those … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is working to deliver the Gambling Act review proposals by summer 2024 through various vehicles like existing powers, secondary legislation, and industry action, prioritizing quick reforms over a comprehensive Bill. It does not explicitly confirm legislation for new powers against illegal operators in the current parliamentary session or outline a specific plan for self-excluded individuals.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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5 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Require the Gambling Commission to set out plans to improve black market monitoring
While the black market is a risk the Government and Gambling Commission must be mindful of, it should not deter appropriate regulation of the licensed sector. The debate about the threat posed by the black market partly stems from a … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is working at pace to deliver the white paper's 62 policy proposals by summer 2024, implementing reforms quickly. However, it does not specifically outline plans for improving its knowledge of the black market as recommended.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Oversee a pilot of new financial risk checks to determine customer acceptability and thresholds
While we support the principle of financial risk checks, the Government must ensure they are minimally intrusive, and that customers’ financial data are properly protected. The Government and the Gambling Commission must also establish what level of “friction” involved in … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to a proportionate and frictionless system for financial risk checks with data protection. They confirm the Gambling Commission will undertake a pilot for enhanced risk assessments to refine data-sharing processes and inform final thresholds.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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7 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Require Government and Gambling Commission to detail progress on single customer view mechanism
Financial risk checks will only be fully effective in preventing harm when they work across all online operators with whom a customer has an account. In its response to this report, the Government and the Gambling Commission must set out … Read more
Government Response
The government and Gambling Commission agree on the need for a single customer view and are progressing an industry-led pilot scheme called GamProtect, which has been operational since February 2023 and rolled out to additional operators in April 2024 to share high-risk player data.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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8 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Require Government to consider point-of-sale risk information for online gambling products
We support the White Paper’s proposals to make online gambling products safer by design. Improving understanding of what affects products’ risk of harm should be a priority, and Government should keep its position on a safety testing regime under review … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, stating that the Department of Health and Social Care has initiated a review to develop a robust new approach to informational messaging throughout the user journey, including at the point-of-sale.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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9 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Set online slots stake limits to match land-based machines and not exceed £5
The high degree of accessibility of online slots negates the additional protection provided by account-based play. Setting a limit for online slots at the same level as Category B gaming machines, at between £2 and £5, takes account of the … Read more
Government Response
The government has confirmed the introduction of statutory maximum stake limits of £5 per spin for adults over 25 and £2 per spin for young adults aged 18-24, aligning with the committee's recommendation. These limits will take effect in September via new licence conditions.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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10 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Compel operators to encourage deposit limits and mandate them for vulnerable customers
We welcome further work on proactive tools. Operators should be compelled to proactively encourage customers to set online deposit limits. Where potential harm of financial vulnerability is indicated, online deposit limits should be mandatory. (Paragraph 51) Children and young adults Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the suggestions to compel operators to encourage deposit limits and make them mandatory for vulnerable customers, responding that the Gambling Commission recently consulted on optimizing account-level tools to improve access and effectiveness of customer-led pre-commitment tools.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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11 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Review the case for banning children's access to all social casino games
Social casino products are the latest example of the convergence between video games and gambling. Though it has responded to the specific issue of loot boxes, the Government must address this wider trend to ensure harms, particularly to children, are … Read more
Government Response
The government repeats the recommendation verbatim.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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12 Conclusion Deferred
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Ensure enhanced young adult gambling protections do not encourage false age declarations
We support the proposed introduction of enhanced online gambling protections for young adults aged 18–24. The Government, Gambling Commission, and gambling operators must ensure these measures do not unintentionally lead to more adults in this age group giving a higher … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details new powers for the Gambling Commission to tackle illegal online gambling sites targeting self-excluded individuals, via the Criminal Justice Bill and collaboration with Google, but fails to address the recommendation regarding enhanced online gambling protections for young adults.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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13 Conclusion Deferred
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Commission independent longitudinal research on gambling advertising link to harm, including for women and children
There is an urgent need to better understand the effects of gambling advertising on the risk of harm. The evidence for a link between advertising and gambling harm currently appears much stronger than evidence indicating there is a risk of … Read more
Government Response
The government deflected the recommendation, focusing its response on measures to tackle the illegal online gambling market, including new powers for the Gambling Commission and delisting illegal sites from Google, rather than commissioning research on gambling advertising and harm.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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14 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Implement further regulation on gambling advertising beyond current government proposals
While the existing evidence base does not show a causative link between gambling advertising and harm, it seems clear that advertising encourages participation in gambling and that this effect is more pronounced for children and those vulnerable to gambling harm. … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the need for continued action on advertising, referring to existing White Paper proposals and Betting and Gaming Council commitments, such as 20% safer gambling messaging and 25+ age targeting for digital ads.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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15 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Require gambling sponsorship code to reduce adverts and mandate more safer gambling messaging.
The withdrawal of gambling sponsorship from the front of Premier League players’ kit is welcome, but it will not significantly reduce the volume of gambling adverts visible during top-flight matches. The Government must work with the Premier League and the … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, confirming the finalised cross-sport gambling sponsorship Code of Conduct stipulates that a proportion of in-stadia sponsorship inventory will be used for dedicated safer gambling messaging, with arrangements due ahead of next season.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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16 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Require sporting bodies to publish the gambling sponsorship code without further undue delay.
The publication of the Code has been delayed repeatedly which is highly regrettable. The Government should require the relevant sporting bodies to publish the Code, incorporating the committee’s recommendations, without further undue delay. (Paragraph 86) Land-based gambling Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses financial risk checks in gambling and the Gambling Commission's upcoming consultation response on this topic, completely ignoring the recommendation to require sporting bodies to publish 'the Code'.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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17 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Ensure customers can continue using cash payments on electronic gaming machines after cashless introduction.
We support the introduction of cashless payments for electronic gaming machines, provided they are subject to an equivalent level of friction to cash payments. We recommend that customers who prefer to pay on electronic gaming machines using cash should continue … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomed the principle of financial risk checks and committed to a proportionate system, stating the Gambling Commission will publish its consultation response and pilot enhanced risk assessments. It did not directly address the recommendation regarding cashless payments on gaming machines or the continuation of cash options.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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18 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Require Government and Commission to publish monitoring plan for land-based gambling reform impacts.
The accessibility of online gambling means that some of the supply-level restrictions on the land-based sector are less relevant than when the Gambling Act 2005 was passed. The Committee therefore considers that the White Paper’s proposed reforms to modernise land-based … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to monitoring the impact of changes to the land-based sector, particularly Category B machines, by using regular Gambling Commission statistics, continuing to collect in-depth data from industry on player behaviour, and leveraging the Commission's stakeholder engagement and compliance assessments.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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19 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Provide councils with guidance on applying cumulative impact assessments to gambling premises and review effectiveness.
We welcome the proposal to allow local authorities to use cumulative impact assessments (CIAs) in handling gambling premise licence applications. The Government must ensure councils are given guidance on how CIAs can be applied to gambling premises. It must also … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that local authorities should receive guidance on applying cumulative impact assessments (CIAs) to gambling premises, stating that primary legislation would prompt the Gambling Commission to amend its guidance.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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20 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Ensure Horserace Betting Levy settlement mitigates White Paper reforms' impact on the racing industry.
The Government must ensure that the new settlement arising from the review of the Horserace Betting Levy mitigates the impact of the White Paper’s reforms on the racing industry and ensuring British racing’s future. We support the proposal for a … Read more
Government Response
The government has commenced the Horserace Betting Levy review to ensure appropriate funding, exploring legislative options but preferring a voluntary agreement. It notes separate measures will apply to horseracing and greyhound racing for sponsorship and advertising, with the BHA developing bespoke provisions.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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21 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Publish timetable for White Paper proposals delivery, including statutory levy and minimising transition disruption.
We reaffirm our recommendation for the Government to set out a timetable for the delivery of each of the White Paper’s main proposals, including implementation of the statutory levy, in response to this report. The Government should set out how … Read more
Government Response
The government will publish its statutory levy consultation response soon, aiming to introduce the levy via secondary legislation by summer, with funding flowing thereafter. GambleAware has received £32 million in regulatory settlement funds, including a system stabilisation fund, to minimise disruption during the transition.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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22 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Proposed statutory levy structure adequately addresses land-based costs and boosts research funding.
We support the proposed structure of the statutory levy. This gives due consideration to the higher overhead costs of land-based operators and the lower rates of problem gambling associated with the sector as a whole, while also ensuring a substantial … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the Committee's support for the statutory levy's structure and reiterates its belief that the levy will provide independent, sustainable funding for research, prevention, and treatment without disproportionately impacting gambling businesses.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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23 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Develop national strategy with measurable targets to reduce gambling harms post-statutory levy.
We support the proposed governance structure for the statutory levy. However, the Government must ensure that levy funds are clearly ringfenced for the purposes of understanding, preventing, and treating gambling harm. It must also use the levy to improve the … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes support for the statutory levy's structure and aims for transparent funding for research, prevention, and treatment, prioritising oversight and improved integration of services, with NICE developing clinical guidelines. While welcoming the call for measurable targets, it doesn't explicitly commit to the Levy Board developing a new national strategy with defined targets.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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24 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Gambling data remains problematic; new research must be accurate, representative, and understood.
We recognise that much of the data relating to gambling is contested, misapplied, or entirely absent, and welcome that actions from the Government’s White Paper and changes to the Gambling Commission will mean that more research evidence can be commissioned. … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the committee's support for increased investment in gambling research through the levy and reiterates its plans for the Gambling Commission and UKRI to commission timely, high-quality research to inform policy.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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25 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Explore conducting regular Patterns of Play-style gambling research with UKRI collaboration
We recommend that the Government and the Gambling Commission should work with UKRI to explore how a study similar to the Patterns of Play research could be conducted on a regular basis.
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation in part, stating the Gambling Commission is exploring the acquisition of a regular feed of operator data and will initiate pilot projects to obtain insights similar to the Patterns of Play research.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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26 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Publish clear guidance on interpreting official gambling statistics alongside new survey
Alongside its new gambling survey, the Gambling Commission should publish clear guidance about the interpretation of official gambling statistics.
Government Response
The Gambling Commission has published initial GSGB data and will publish several technical documents alongside it, including a report on strengths/limitations, a statement on official statistics confidence, and guidance on how these statistics should be used.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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27 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Provide clear action plan to develop understanding of gambling's relationship with suicide risk
We welcome that the Government’s suicide prevention strategy for England recognises the role harmful gambling can play in suicide risk. In its response to this report, the Government should provide us with a clear action plan on what it and … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the link between harmful gambling and suicide risk, outlining a range of activities including strengthening informational messaging, increasing investment in independent research through the statutory levy, and requiring gambling operators to notify the Gambling Commission of customer suicides to inform policy.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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28 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Expand gambling ombudsman's scope to cover all operator-customer disputes, replacing ADR providers
The intention to establish a gambling ombudsman is welcome. However, the Government will not be in a position to judge the effectiveness of the new ombudsman until summer 2024 at the earliest, assuming the process of establishing it remains on … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes support for a gambling ombudsman and is working with stakeholders to ensure an independent, credible body. They plan to explore ways to require all licensees to provide access to the ombudsman for all disputes, and will legislate if the industry-led approach proves ineffective.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Government Response AI assessment · 28 of 23 classified
Accepted 10
Accepted in Part 4
Acknowledged 8
Deferred 4
Not Addressed 2
Total 23 recs + 5 conclusions
Correspondence 14 letters
21 May 2024 To committee Letter from Stuart Andrew MP, Minister for Sport, Gambling and Civil Society, relating to Measures relating to the land-based gambling sector, dated 15 May 2024
Parliament page
21 Feb 2024 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Lord Foster of Bath, Chair, Peers for Gambling Reform, relating to Gambling regulation Report, dated 6 February 2024
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6 Feb 2024 To committee Letter from Carolyn Harris MP, Chair, APPG for Gambling Related Harm, relating to Gambling regulation Report, dated 31 January 2024
Parliament page
13 Dec 2023 To committee Letter from Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive, Gambling Commission, relating to Gambling Act Review update, dated 29 November 2023
Parliament page
12 Dec 2023 To committee Letter from Michael Dugher, Chief Executive, Betting and Gaming Council, relating to Gambling and the Premier League, dated 16 October 2023
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21 Nov 2023 To committee Letter from Dan Waugh, Partner, Regulus Partners, relating to statistics on gambling and suicide, dated 28 October 2023
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14 Nov 2023 To committee Letter from Zoë Osmond, Chief Executive, GambleAware, relating to oral evidence, dated 10 November 2023
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18 Oct 2023 To committee Letter from Charles Ritchie MBE, Co-founder and Co-Chair, Gambling with Lives, relating to Gambling oral evidence, dated 30 September 2023
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19 Sep 2023 To committee Letter from Dr Jane Rigbye, Chief Executive, Ygam, relating to Gambling oral evidence, dated 14 September 2023
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12 Sep 2023 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP, Minister for Sport, Gambling and Civil Society, relating to oral evidence session on 5 September 2023, dated 8 September 2023
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5 Sep 2023 To committee Letter from Charles Ritchie MBE, Co-founder and Co-Chair, Gambling with Lives, relating to oral evidence follow-up, dated 15 August 2023
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5 Sep 2023 To committee Letter from Julie Bentley, Chief Executive, Samaritans, relating to oral evidence from Betting and Gaming Council on 11 July 2023, dated 17 August 2023
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5 Sep 2023 To committee Letter from Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive, Gambling Commission, relating to Misuse of gambling statistics, dated 29 August 2023
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5 Sep 2023 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP, Minister for Sport, Gambling and Civil Society, relating to Gambling White Paper Implementation, dated 26 July 2023
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