Government reiterates its efforts towards white paper proposals deadline

The government’s response to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) select committee has been to stress that it is doing all it can to deliver the proposals set out in the white paper by this summer.

In its latest response, Downing Street addressed several areas including the black market, gambling advertising, prevention and treatment as well as the creation of a gambling ombudsman.

Addressing the white paper implementation, both government and the Gambling Commission (GC) have once again called for the protections to be introduced “quickly”, with a date set for summer 2024, explaining that the most efficient way of implementing the proposals is by breaking them down rather than waiting for a legislative bill.

The report added that consultations must be robust and meaningful to inform policy decisions in order to minimise the risk of legal challenges that would further delay reforms.

On the controversial financial risk checks, the DCMS committee confirmed the threshold for the checks will be set out by the GC and that the incoming pilot will not impact players. This will also allow time for the GC to “refine” the process before the checks launch publicly.

The report stated: “The frictionless, light-touch financial vulnerability checks will identify vulnerability such as where a customer is subject to a bankruptcy order or has a history of unpaid debts.

“They will focus solely on publicly available data and, following feedback through the consultation, will not require gambling businesses to consider an individual’s personal details such as postcode or job title.”

It added that the enhanced risk assessments will only be carried out on high-spending online players, with no operator interventions if there are no signs of harm.

Focusing on online stake limits, the report highlighted that the incoming introduction of a statutory maximum limit of £5 per spin for adults 25 and over and £2 for adults between 18 and 24 will “achieve the government’s stated objectives of reducing the risk of gambling-related harm, with a lower risk of unintended consequences and less disruption to the majority of gamblers who do not suffer harm”.

The limits are due to be introduced from September 2024, with a six-week transition period for operators followed by a further six weeks to allow for any technical solutions that may arise from the implementation of the lower cap.

The report continued: “This phased approach gives acknowledgement to the development of any technical solutions by operators which may be required for age-based limits.

“Following this transition period, if operators are unable to develop solutions to adequately distinguish between customers who are 25 and over and those who are under 25, the expectation is that they will not be able to offer any customers stakes exceeding £2 per spin.”

On combatting the black market, new powers will be given to the GC to combat illegal operators using the Home Office’s Criminal Justice Bill introduced last November.

This will include the GC being allowed to apply for court orders to suspend domain names and IP addresses while researching what players understand about and their use of the illegal gambling operators.

There was also a call for gambling advertising to be more socially responsible, highlighting the incoming ban of gambling sponsorship on the front of Premier League shirts not being sufficient enough due to the high-volume of in-stadium adverts.

Additionally, the report stipulated that the cross-sport gambling sponsorship code states it “will guarantee a robust minimum standard on gambling sponsorship across all sports” to ensure gambling ads are socially responsible – though a date for when the code of conduct will be released has yet to be announced.

When it comes to research, education and treatment (RET), there was reaffirmed support for the incoming statutory levy for operators, and that the transition from a voluntary to an obligatory levy will provide minimal disruption.

Commenting on the August 2023 announcement of £32m in settlement funds to GambleAware, the report states “funds will also be made available to further accelerate GambleAware’s commissioning plans in relation to reducing disparities in outcomes, experience and access; developing an integrated system; improving access through digital transformation; and research.

“The government and the Gambling Commission expect operators to continue to make annual financial contributions as required by the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice until the statutory levy is in force.”

With the incoming levy, the RET list is deemed no longer relevant or needed, according to the report.

It stated: “The government also welcomes the Committee’s call for measurable targets for harm reduction.

“As set out in the government’s public consultation on the statutory levy, we are clear that the levy represents a significant transformation for the RPT system and will no doubt evolve over time as evidence of the needs of the public and demands on the system become clearer.

“However, it is important that the government has clear strategic objectives from the outset to guide the new system in which existing arrangements are improved and expanded in order to reduce gambling-related harms across Britain.”

The GC will publish its response to the 2023 summer consultation in due course, which will include proposals to online game design.

The report comes months after the Association of Directors of Public Health claiming the DCMS report on gambling advertising fell short of protecting the public.