The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is gearing up for the next round of consultations on the Gambling Act Review White Paper. Tim Miller, the executive director of policy and research at the UKGC, shared that they will focus on free wagers, bonuses, and financial penalties. The purpose of these consultations is to ensure that gambling incentives are socially responsible and do not encourage harmful or excessive gambling. The consultations will also address the transparency of client asset protection, client-led tools, and the requirement to contribute yearly to Research, Prevention and Treatment (RET).
Additionally, the UKGC plans to consult on the reporting of financial key events and regulatory data. While the consultations will address the government’s recommendations for the regulation of gambling, they hope to continue addressing other aspects of their regulation to make sure they are prepared for the future. This announcement comes after the UKGC received over 3,000 submissions during the first set of consultations, which focused on vulnerability checks, financial risk, online games design, and age verification on premises.
One of the more contentious topics of the White Paper was accessibility checks, which saw pushback from industry leaders. The Jockey Club’s Chief Executive, Nevin Truesdale, started an online petition against accessibility checks, which has garnered more than 84,000 signatures. Lord Lipsey, chairman of Premier Greyhound Racing, also opposed the checks, claiming they would damage greyhound racing. However, the UKGC has dismissed misinformation about the checks leading to buyers going to the black market for gambling. The next round of consultations is set to begin soon and will continue for a 12-week period. The UKGC plans to close the consultations in February or March and will analyze the responses.
