Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 25
Address unlicensed gambling sites targeting self-excluded users through new legislative powers.
Recommendation
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 the Gambling Commission to act against illegal operators is welcome, and the Government must ensure legislation establishing this power is brought forward in this Parliamentary session. In response to this report, the Government and Gambling Commission must set out how they will address the growing trend of unlicensed gambling sites targeting the self-excluded.
Government Response Summary
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.
Paragraph Reference:
25
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
5. The Government’s white paper set out 62 specific policy proposals for the Government, the Gambling Commission, and the gambling industry to take forward in order to implement the reform of gambling regulation. As the Committee recognises, the Government and the Gambling Commission are working at pace to deliver the main proposals by summer 2024. The Government and the Gambling Commission are of the view that the new protections need to be in force quickly. This is why we took the decision to implement the proposals through a range of vehicles, including utilising existing powers, laying secondary legislation and encouraging industry-wide voluntary action. This enabled us and the Gambling Commission to enact reforms quickly rather than relying on parliamentary time for a Bill to cover all measures.