A newly-formed independent commission has launched a review of the gambling laws and regulation in the United Kingdom.
The Gambling Policy Commission (GPC) will assess whether the 2005 Gambling Act 2005 addresses changes in technology, gambling products and consumer behaviour.
Many people believe the current rules are not fit for purpose as they were not designed to cover technological elements such as artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrencies and online betting.
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Players should check the current eligibility rules, opt-in requirements and all applicable conditions, including any wagering or withdrawal restrictions where relevant.
Only participate within a set personal limit, and use the operator’s safer-gambling controls, such as deposit limits, time-outs or self-exclusion, if needed. Players can also find consumer information through the Gambling Commission.
The GPC’s review of rewards schemes and the wider betting industry will ultimately provide more clarity for players in a sector that has evolved massively since the 2005 Gambling Act was published.
Review will help to modernise gambling regulation
The GPC includes experts from the fields of economics, law, public policy, health and sport. It is chaired by Jagjit Chadha OBE, a professor of economics at Cambridge University.
The commission has given all interested parties and individuals until February 12, 2027, to submit evidence appropriate to the review.
Taxation will be central to the review. The commission will examine how recent changes to gambling duties have impacted operators and consumers.
Other policy measures, including the statutory levy for gambling research, prevention and treatment, will also be considering during the review.
The impact of black-market gambling will be investigated. Many punters have turned to illegal betting sites due to dissatisfaction with how the regulated sector operates.
Gambling-related harm, sports betting levies and government coordination of gambling policy are other key elements that will be investigated by the GPC.
Horse racing’s ‘special relationship’ with betting will be considered
The horse racing industry will undoubtedly welcome the opportunity to demonstrate to the commission why it should be treated differently to other gambling sectors.
Betting is crucial to finances in horse racing and the GPC has acknowledged that it must take into account the special position it holds in the sport.
The GPC’s membership includes Professor James Reade and Tom Savill, both of whom have an in-depth understanding of horse racing’s unique economic infrastructure.
The review will give horse racing stakeholders the opportunity to show why the industry differs from products such as fixed-odds casino terminals and online slots.
Many people in racing believe that new measures introduced following government’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act three years ago have caused major damage to the sport.
Professor Chadha appeared to acknowledge that point as the GPC was launched, saying that the current regulatory landscape for gambling is not fit for purpose.
“The last comprehensive independent review of gambling legislation was undertaken a quarter of a century ago,” he said.
“Since then, both the gambling market and the wider technological environment have changed considerably.
“Our purpose is to examine the evidence carefully and independently – to understand how the existing framework has operated, assess the impact of more recent reforms, and consider what legislative and regulatory framework will be appropriate for the years ahead.”