Backbench MPs push for wholesale gambling reform

Backbench MPs are urging the Government to reform gambling legislation in order to better protect individuals from gambling-related harm.

Gambling Commission figures estimate around 2.5 per cent of the adult population (approximately 1.3 million people) in Britain experience the highest level of gambling-related harm, while a further 3.5 per cent are thought to be ‘at moderate risk’ of gambling harm.

Problem gambling among children aged 11-18 doubled between 2023 and 2024 – equating to around 85,000 young people nationwide.

New Gambling Act

The backbenchers are part of the gambling reform all-party parliamentary group led by former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, although Labour MPs make up more than half its membership.

The group has proposed replacing the Gambling Act 2005 with new legislation which will place greater restrictions on gambling operators, as well as reducing the amount of gambling advertising.

The Guardian reports that there is pressure to move gambling policy from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) into the Department for Health, which would recognise the harms gambling can cause to individuals and society, rather than it being seen simply as entertainment.

Addictive

Dr Beccy Cooper, Labour MP for Worthing West, said: “I think a new Gambling Act will be needed to meet our manifesto commitment to reducing gambling-related harm.

“To future proof a new Gambling Act – as with the tobacco industry before it – we need to be able to ban the most harmful products, remove all advertising aimed at children and stop sports marketing that minimises the harmful nature of this addictive product.”

A DCMS spokesperson said: “This government is absolutely committed to reducing harmful gambling and strengthening protections for those at risk – which was a manifesto commitment – and DCMS will be leading that work now and in the future.”

In November last year, the Government announced new measures to limit online slots stakes and a £100 million statutory levy that will be placed on the gambling industry to fund research, gambling-harm prevention and treatment for problem gamblers.