Gambling Related Harm APPG

Final Report of the Inquiry into Online Gambling Harm

Today, the Gambling Related Harm All-Party Parliamentary Group are publishing their final report following their inquiry into online gambling harm.

The final report can be downloaded here.

The press release can be downloaded here.

Following a year-long inquiry the 50-strong group of prominent parliamentarians calls for protections for online gamblers and a complete overhaul of gambling regulation in the UK. The group sets out over 30 recommendations including:

• Stake limits for online slot content of no higher than £2 given the potential to cause harm.
• A ban on all VIP schemes and inducements. These schemes are highly profitable for gambling companies offering very high stakes gambling and they continue to lead to significant harm.
• A ban on all gambling advertising.
• A complete overhaul of gambling regulation in the UK. The Gambling Commission is not fit for purpose.
• An urgent review of stakes, deposit and prize limits online as well as a complete review and classification of online products.
• Affordability limits set and imposed by the Gambling Commission.
• A Gambling Ombudsman for consumer redress.
• A mandatory ‘smart’ levy paid by gambling operators to fund independent research, education, prevention and treatment.
• A new Gambling Act. While some immediate changes can be made through secondary legislation and the Government should consider what changes can be made in the short-term, an overhaul of the 2005 Gambling Act is required – fit for our digital age.

Our asks of the gambling industry in light of the Covid-19 crisis:

1. Commit to implement deposit limits for the duration of the crisis.
2. Implement a £2 stake per spin limit on slot content online to reduce the harm that this highly dangerous content can have.
3. End VIP accounts, which encourage high levels of expenditure.
4. End all gambling advertising and sign up offers for bonuses.
5. Make data available to ensure independent research can be undertaken to assess the scale of harm being caused by the industry and the need for further harm prevention measures

Committee 2020 – 

Chair – Carolyn Harris MP

Vice Chair – Ronnie Cowan MP

Vice Chair – Rt Hon. The Lord Foster of Bath

Vice Chair – Rt Hon. Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP

Vice Chair – Sir Mark Hendrick MP

Vice Chair – Stuart McDonald MP

Vice Chair – Sammy Wilson MP

Vice Chair – Rt Hon. Sir Mike Penning MP

Treasurer – Rt Hon. Stephen Timms MP

Secretary – Gerald Jones MP

Contact

For further information, please contact the group Secretariat

APPG Secretariat
T: 0207 592 3800
E: grh-appg@interelgroup.com