The recent release of the Gambling Act white paper in April signified a significant milestone in the UK gambling industry, marking the most transformative review in 18 years. The white paper introduced key regulatory changes, with a focus on affordability checks to address gambling harms. The government has already implemented measures such as stake limits for online slots, with further resolutions in progress to address concerns around gambling-related harm.
One of the most controversial aspects of the white paper was the proposal for affordability checks, aimed at protecting vulnerable groups in society. Research by the Gambling Commission revealed alarming statistics, indicating that one in 40 Britons is a problem gambler. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has indicated its intention to enforce stricter affordability checks on operators to mitigate risks associated with excessive gambling.
Industry response to affordability checks has been met with opposition, with concerns raised over the potential negative impact on business operations. The Gamblers Consumer Forum (GCF) and other industry stakeholders have voiced their reservations regarding the implementation of financial checks. However, despite industry pushback, recent research from GambleAware suggests that a majority of UK adults support the introduction of affordability checks in gambling.
The debate around affordability checks has gained momentum, with the Jockey Club leading a petition against their enforcement due to concerns over financial implications for the racing industry. The petition garnered significant support, leading to a parliamentary debate on the matter. Meanwhile, the Gambling Commission has faced criticism over the reliability of its statistics, prompting calls for a more cautious approach to interpreting data related to gambling harms.
