Labour MP: Government “dragging their heels” on white paper

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) shadow minister Jeff Smith has slammed the government for “dragging their feet” on the white paper review into the Gambling Act 2005.

Speaking at the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) parliamentary reception last week, Smith took the opportunity to heap pressure on the government to finally deliver the document, more than two years since the review began.

Smith, who was standing in for de facto shadow gambling minister Alex Davies-Jones, said the white paper needed to protect young people in the digital age, as well as provide key funding to support groups.

Smith said: “We all know that reform around gambling is long overdue and government have been dragging their feet for too long. As we know, the current legislation in place came into force in 2005, long before many of today’s technologies were in place.

“The Gambling Act is the basis for regulation of gambling in the UK, yet it has not been updated since it was passed.

“That legislation is completely unfit in meeting the demands of the digital age, and it must urgently be updated particularly if it is to capture the potential harm for young people,” he added.

Smith proceeded to touch on the need for a levy, which has been previously mooted at 1% of revenue, to support research, education and treatment (RET) funding across the industry.

The Manchester Withington MP continued: “It is absolutely vital that the white paper gives a clear steer on funding for those in the sector, and we must also recognise that funding should not be limited to treatment provision alone.

“We need to be focused on preventing harm as well as tackling it when it has been able to develop.

“That is where charities like YGAM really come into their own, and part of the government’s responsibilities in this white paper is to address the concerns around the sustainability of their services and provisions,” Smith added.

The white paper is still in a state of flux with DCMS head Michelle Donelan and de facto gambling minister Paul Scully yet to put the final touches on the document.

Before Christmas, the pair insisted it would arrive in the “coming weeks”.

Scully is due to speak at the Betting and Gaming Council’s AGM this week, where more details may be shared.