Following a year-long inquiry an over 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:
- 1Stake limits for online slot content of no higher than £2 given the potential to cause harm.
- 2A 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.
- 3A ban on all gambling advertising.
- 4A complete overhaul of gambling regulation in the UK. The Gambling Commission is not fit for purpose.
- 5An urgent review of stakes, deposit and prize limits online as well as a complete review and classification of online products.
- 6Affordability limits set and imposed by the Gambling Commission.
- 7A Gambling Ombudsman for consumer redress.
- 8A mandatory ‘smart’ levy paid by gambling operators to fund independent research, education, prevention and treatment.
- 9A 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.
Final Report of the Inquiry into Online Gambling Harm
The Gambling Related Harm All-Party Parliamentary Group has published their final report following their inquiry into online gambling harm