The UK gambling industry is waiting with bated breath to see what Liz Truss, the new Prime Minister, can accomplish in her new role. Among the issues that people are expectant about are a range of long-awaited white papers, such as the planned review of the Gambling Act 2005.
The Gambling Act review first appeared on the agenda in late 2020, after earning a spot on the Conservative Party manifesto in 2019. It was supposed to be a wide-ranging review that would consider all aspects of gambling in the UK, from online gaming and live casino to high-street betting shops. However, several political events and changes have forced the issue to be put on hold as the gambling industry awaits the result.
For example, the remaining and closing debates on Britain’s exit from the European Union, or Brexit, took priority, as well as the ongoing pandemic and the related relief policies. On top of these difficult political processes, the leaderships have changed since the initial calling for the review. Amongst other things, Boris Johnson resigned from the PM spot which was been filled by Liz Truss in September.
In the spring of 2022, the review was said to be delivered in its final stage to Boris Johnson on 10 Downing Street, but the position switch might force more bureaucratic processes to be made before it can once again graze the prime minister’s desk.
Truss setting up for limited gambling harm
Truss has already indicated that she is open to a review of the Gambling Act, telling MPs in December 2019 that it was “something we should keep under review.” She also said that she was concerned about the increasing number of people with gambling problems and that the government needed to do more to protect them.
These statements seem to be realized, especially given that Truss recently appointed Michelle Donelan as her Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport which includes gambling. Donelan has previously made strong statements regarding gambling harm in the nation.
Truss’ comments and actions suggest that she is open to making changes to the way gambling is regulated in the UK. And with a review of the Gambling Act now back on the table, it could mean some major changes. However, how those changes will look will depend on if the pending white paper review will ever see the light of day. The review publishing date keeps being pushed back, which experts warn might create issues for both Truss, the Gambling Commission, and the gambling firms.
Review potentially scrapped
Amongst the Prime Ministerial change there have been rumours of several white papers being scrapped, amongst which the Gambling Act review has been listed. Despite Truss’ previous comments about the gambling health of the nation, she has more recently advocated for a more “hands off” political approach to such matters.
The rumours have sparked strong reactions from gambling market experts, who say that the scrapping of the review might have a larger impact than the publishing of it. Regulus Partners analyst Dan Waughn has noted that an unpublished review leads to larger questions regarding the efficiency of the entire parliamentary process, and lifts the potentially wasted time and resources that have gone into the extended project.
The possible repercussions one can expect if the review is published include recommendations to introduce a mandatory levy on gambling companies, an increase of the Gambling Commission’s power to regulate online gambling, as well as the introduction of a ban on credit card gambling.
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