Govt urged to ‘act now’ as long-delayed review to tackle gambling crisis drags on

The Government’s long-delayed gambling review has been criticised for ‘kicking the can down the road’ by submitting the majority of its proposed measures to consultation.

The Government’s White Paper reforming the Gambling Act 2005 recommends placing maximum stake limits on online slot machine games, such as £2 or £4 for under 25s and between £2 and £15 for those over 25. It will also review game speeds to require firms to remove features which cause greater financial risk to gamblers of all ages.

But the Government will just consult on the majority of its proposals later this year, rather than seeking to introduce them directly into law. It doesn’t aim to implement its key measures before summer 2024.

Under-25s

Affordability checks for those who lose more than £125 a month, with further checks for those who gamble away £1,000 in 24 hours or £2,000 over 90 days are among other proposals. The threshold would be tightened for under-25s, while the Gambling Commission will review the overall impact of ‘free’ bet incentives.

The Online Advertising Programme is set to explore digital advertising restrictions to better protect vulnerable people and children. In the future, the Government intends to raise the age limit of society lotteries and scratchcards from 16 to 18 years old to be consistent with the National Lottery.

But the Government is set to weaken regulations for brick-and-mortar casinos, making it easier for more to be built and allowing some to have more gambling machines.

‘Stop dithering’

Outlining the Government’s plans, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Frazer told MPs: “When gambling becomes addiction, it can wreck lives. Shattered families, lost jobs, foreclosed homes, jail time, suicide.

stop dithering and start implementing

“Gambling problems in adults have always been measured in terms of money lost, but you cannot put a cost on the loss of dignity, the loss of identity, and, in some cases, the loss of life that it can cause.”

But former Conservative Party leader The Rt Hon Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: “I just don’t know what we’ve got to consult on any longer. What is there we don’t know about the gambling industry and their abuses?”

The Rt Hon the Lord Foster of Bath, a Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, added: “With at least one person taking their own life as a result of gambling harm every single day, this government now just needs to stop dithering and start implementing.”

‘Act now’

The Christian Institute’s Ciarán Kelly said: “The review does contain some welcome measures but it is vague. If the Government is really serious about stopping kids and other vulnerable people from being sucked into a gambling black hole, then it has to tackle the bombardment of betting advertising – and do it now.

“All the way back in 2005 we were warning that the Gambling Act would see adverts appear everywhere and inevitably encourage more gambling.

“This review has been subject to repeated delays and putting out the majority of its proposals to consultation kicks the can down the road yet again. Problem gambling wrecks lives. It’s causing havoc in our society and the issue is not going away. The Government must act now to stem the tide.”