How will the UK Government Change the Gambling Laws?

Estimated figures show around 30,000 Welsh people who experience problems with their gambling. It’s figures such as that which are behind moves to review the 2005 Gambling Act. It’s a process that has taken at least a couple of years as evidence has been gathered.

July is due to see the UK government release the long-awaited White Paper on gambling law reform which also affects UK’s Paypal online casinos due to proposed limits on deposits. Whether that will take place after the recent chaos in Downing Street is unclear. Nor do we know when legislation will be passed but what looks like being in the White Paper and how will it affect the gambling industry?

The Welsh government has already told Downing Street that the problem gambling should be dealt with as a public health issue. Their view is that there needs to be a regulator, a reduction in the amount of gambling adverts and a statutory levy on the industry.

The latter would raise funds to help those who need help due to their gambling problems and additional research into the subject.

Further recommendations have been made this year by the Task and Finish group on gambling related harm. These include a focus on protecting children, young people and those who are vulnerable from gambling-related harm.

The Welsh government also wants to introduce awareness of the risks of gambling in schools and public health messages. Specialist gambling treatment service for Wales is also something that should be introduced in the future.

It is clear that the UK government will impose several measures on the UK gambling industry. The evidence that has been gathered has plenty of examples of how gambling has caused problems for players, even leading to them committing suicide.

The UK Gambling Commission aren’t waiting around for the government to take action. They have become increasingly stricter on those companies who they have granted an operating licence to.

If those companies do not react quickly and positively towards customers who have problems, then the UK Gambling Commission take action. This has included a £9.15m fine on 888 for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures.

July has already seen them suspend the UK licence of Bet-at-Home for similar reasons. A review of their business is now taking place and could result in them having that licence taken away.

More action is going to be taken as the UK Gambling Commission become increasingly tougher.  The UK gambling industry also has to be wary of the Advertising Standards Authority. They recently banned a Paddy Power advert after complaints it put gambling ahead of family. Other moves see celebrities and those seen as role models by young people banned from gambling adverts. You should use only licensed UK casinos for playing.

Even before legislation that could see stricter affordability checks and perhaps restrictions on maximum stake on casino games, it’s a worrying time for the gambling industry. The mandatory levy might not take place but a ban on gambling sponsorship of football clubs might also be on the way.

Whether that will be compulsory as many campaigners want it to be isn’t known. Recently, both Bournemouth and Everton have signed sponsorship deals with gambling companies. A voluntary ban might be the way forward but that would hit the lower level football clubs hard so wouldn’t be at all popular.

All are moves that would hit the gambling industry hard with reduced opportunities for awareness and a drop in revenue.