A report in today’s Times newspaper claims that measures included in the document could include the restriction of maximum online casino stakes to between £2 and £5. The white paper could also feature a ban on free bets and VIP packages for those who incur heavy losses. Additionally, it may include “non-intrusive” affordability checks. Operators would be required to remove online features that increase the level of risk for customers, although examples of such features were not provided.
The report also states that the Gambling Commission will be granted new powers and additional funding from increased fees paid by the industry. The Times reports that proposals to prohibit gambling companies from shirt sponsorship were set to be rejected in favor of reaching a voluntary agreement with Premier League clubs.
A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council said, “We welcome the government’s gambling review and strongly support many of the measures we expect to be in the forthcoming white paper.”
The latest statistics show that the rate of problem gambling in the year to March 2022 was 0.2%, down from 0.4% the previous year. However, the number of punters using the unsafe, unregulated black market has doubled in recent years to 460,000, with the amount being bet now in the billions. The white paper will need to strike a balance between protecting the vulnerable and those at risk while not driving millions of people who enjoy a bet safely to the black market.
The government is set to announce restrictions on the industry as part of the review of the 2005 Gambling Act, taking into consideration the growth of online betting. The review will cover areas such as stake limits and the role of the Gambling Commission.
A spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) stated, “We are undertaking the most comprehensive review of gambling laws in 15 years to ensure they are fit for the digital age. We will be publishing a white paper as part of a review of gambling legislation in the coming weeks.”
