Back in April, we got the long-awaited gambling white paper from the government.
After years of prognostication, campaigning from both pro and anti-gambling agendas, debate and most of all, delay, the 268-page document outlined how the conservative government plans to tackle the issue of problem gambling in the UK.
As is typical with proposed new laws, the legislation has sparked an increase in debate from both sides which, if anything, has brought the topic more front of mind to the public’s conscience.
So what have been the updates since April, how have the gambling industry and anti-gambling campaigners reacted thus far and what are the next steps? Let’s dive in.
Background
In simple terms, the white paper is a comprehensive review of UK gambling laws, embodied in a lengthy document of policies.
It constitutes an update of the 2005 Gambling Act introduced by the then Labour government which established the rules for the industry before the introduction and proliferation of smartphone technology.
The document is built around several key policies to form a safer new gambling framework
- Affordability checks – imposed background checks for punters who lose £125 net over a month, or £500 over a year and more detailed checks for those who make a net loss of £1,000 in a day or £2,000 over 90 days
- Stake limits for online casino games – Likely to be limited across the board to between £2-15 per spin. However, the UK Gambling Commission will also consult on slot-specific measures to give greater protections for people aged 18 to 24, including such options as: a £2 stake limit per spin, a £4 stake limit per spin, or a somewhat customised approach based on individual risk.
- Advertising and promotional limits – Much of the public’s betting is done through enticement by free bet adverts. These will be curbed, so too well gambling company sponsors on shirts.
These are, in a nutshell, the key tenets of the white paper; reduce the exposure and risk that would-be and existing punters have to let their habit get too out of control.
Industry reaction
Overall, it’s been a really mixed bag in terms of talking heads willing to peek up over the parapet and take a position for or against the government and those that have really do come from all spectrums of the socio-economic landscape.
Bodies such as the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR) have commended what the legislation aims at doing regarding stake limits, believing it to be important work in controlling the gambling activity of those around the age of 18. Anti-gambling charities, too, have been largely and surprisingly supportive of the policies laid out.
The British Medical Journal, meanwhile, opined that the advertising measures do not go nearly far enough, claiming that they were the principal element of gambling causing the most damage.
For context, NHS England surveys report that 8.5% of online slots, casino and bingo players report experiencing problem gambling, which is nearly 20 times higher than the adult population average.
Gambling-forward journalists, such as The Telegraph’s Charlie Brooks, thought the document mostly represented “a morally bankrupt, confused fudge” while Peter Jackson, chief executive of Flutter, toed a cautious and diplomatic line, commenting:
“We welcome the publication of the White Paper, which marks a significant moment for the UK gambling sector. While we will need to review the details of the proposals, we believe proactive change will lead to a better future for our industry.”
Flutter knows better than anyone the dangers of unregulated and unconstrained gambling. In July of this year, a coroner’s court found the company and its Betfair brand had not adequately introduced gambling protection measures, resulting in punter Luke Ashton taking his own life in 2021.
Earlier this month, the company responded to the court’s finding, saying it had taken further measures to ensure it operated at full capacity and efficiency to maximise the safe use of its products. These include:
- A mandatory net deposit limit, of no more than £1,000 per month
- implemented checks with a credit reference agency, at defined levels of spend, to identify where customers are potentially financially vulnerable
- A mandatory net deposit limit, of no more than £500 per month, for all customers under the age of 25
- Imposed stake limit of £10 on all online slots games.
Where are we at now?
Clearly then, the industry is taking on board that changes have to be made to ensure gambling becomes safer.
So how far off are we from these measures being introduced?
Well, back in July the government started its eight-week public consultation process which should, in theory, be concluding at the end of this month. This back and forth covers the policy points of stake limits as well as the dangers posed to younger age groups through exposure to these games.
Additionally, a consultation is also underway on the details of the new gambling operator levy; charge on betting companies, to fund gambling research, education and treatment, exploring options for the design of the levy, the amount to be collected, funding distribution and governance.
It is highly likely that many of these points of legislation will be mired in debate, consultation and potentially further delay for months to come. There are even fears that this could extend to years if the gambling lobby are able to exercise further power over sitting MPs or if a new party takes power in the next election.
The sad truth is that while the UK’s gambling industry is a profitable and entertaining hobby for many, it can also be the source of incredible harm as seen in the Luke Ashton case.
In this writer’s opinion, the advertising as with alcohol and tobacco in the 1980s, will be found to be a major driving force behind the increasing numbers of those with a gambling issue. And unfortunately, the ecosystem will likely create many more ‘problem gamblers’ before the proper infrastructure and security measures are put in place to protect them.
