National Lottery first to feel effects of long-awaited gambling act review
DCMS raises National Lottery age to 18 as review targets broadbase reform of “analogue” gambling act
The UK government has kicked off a comprehensive review of the 2005 Gambling Act targeting wholesale reform of the UK gambling industry.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will consider imposing online stake limits, restrictions on gambling advertising and the potential imposition of further age limits on certain verticals.
In addition, the review will look at the Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) role in regulating the UK market, including potential changes to its enforcement powers.
“The government recognises the need to balance the enjoyment people get from gambling with the right regulatory framework and protections,” DCMS said.
To ignite the review, DCMS has agreed to raise the minimum age to participate in the National Lottery from 16 to 18 from October 2021 as a method of protecting potentially at-risk underage gamblers.
Issuing a call for evidence, DCMS also confirmed it would look at player redress mechanisms, social responsibility and customer intervention methods.
“While millions gamble responsibly, the gambling act is an analogue law in a digital age. From an era of having a flutter in a high street bookmaker, casino, racecourse or seaside pier, the industry has evolved at breakneck speed,” said DCMS Secretary of State Oliver Dowden.
“This comprehensive review will ensure we are tackling problem gambling in all its forms to protect children and vulnerable people. It will also help those who enjoy placing a bet to do so safely.
“This builds upon our clear track record of introducing tough measures to protect people from the risk of gambling harm – banning the use of credit cards, launching tighter age verification checks and cutting the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals,” Dowden added.
A review into the sector has previously been demanded by the Gambling Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and the House of Lords’ Peers for Gambling Reform campaign.
In June, the government’s Public Accounts Committee criticised the UKGC for having an “imperceptibly weak” understanding of gambling-related harm, suggesting a new entity was needed to regulate the industry.
Michael Dugher, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) standards body, said: “I hope ministers will focus in with laser-like precision on problem gamblers and those at risk.
“The government must ensure that any changes do not drive people to the unregulated black market online, where there aren’t any safeguards to protect vulnerable people,” he added.
In contrast, APPG chair Carolyn Harris described the current 2005 Gambling Act as “wholly outdated” and suggested regulation was at a turning point.
“Our current legislation is analogue legislation in a digital age, online gambling is unregulated in many areas and mandatory deposit limits and affordability mechanisms are essential,” Harris said.
“Gamblers need an ombudsman to support redress and a statutory levy must be put in place to support research, education and treatment.
“The regulator must also be overhauled. This is a once-in-a-generation chance to improve much needed gambling regulation in this country and change cannot come soon enough,” Harris added.