Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
2
Recommendation
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Acknowledged
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
3
Conclusion
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Acknowledged
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 Paper’s reforms and respond to future developments in a rapidly …
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
4
Recommendation
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Acknowledged
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 who have self-excluded from gambling. The proposed new power for …
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 …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
5
Recommendation
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Acknowledged
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 lack of understanding about its size. The Gambling Commission must …
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
10
Recommendation
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Acknowledged
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
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
22
Conclusion
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Acknowledged
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 uplift in funding available for gambling research, prevention and treatment.
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
23
Recommendation
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Acknowledged
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 integration of gambling treatment services across the NHS and third …
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 …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
24
Conclusion
Second Report - Gambling regulation
Acknowledged
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. It is vital that any such research is accurate, representative, …
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