UK All-Party Group Mounts Renewed Push for Tighter Gambling Laws

The UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Gambling Reform has upped the ante by relaunching a wide-ranging inquiry into the nation’s gambling laws.

In doing so, it has reignited its campaign for tighter UK regulations and comes amid ongoing concerns that the previous government’s 2023 White Paper failed to fully address the known risks posed by modern gambling formats.

Led by the former Leader of the Conservative Party, MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the inquiry is set to determine whether the UK’s regulatory framework is fully equipped to tackle gambling-related concerns of the modern digital era.

Duncan Smith, a long-standing critic of the gambling industry, plans to tackle topical issues such as giving local councils more power to regulate gambling in their communities and slot machine ratio rules.

Following the launch earlier this week, Duncan Smith has called for public submissions of evidence to help shape the group’s recommendations ahead of the September 12 deadline.

“Much more needs to be done to ensure our regulatory framework is fit for the digital age to protect people from harm,” he said, repeating a statement he made during the inquiry’s announcement, and during his subsequent media appearances.

Of the primary concerns, the inquiry is set to revisit key issues left currently unresolved by the White Paper, which included stake limits, online protections, and, as seen in Denmark this week, a possible updating of gambling marketing guidelines.

Smith Takes Aim at Gambling Commission, Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

A key target of the APPG’s criticism has been former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the UK Gambling Commission itself, which Duncan Smith referred to as a “soft touch governor.”

The latter came under scrutiny for what he perceived as repeated licensing failures and weak enforcement, indicating that he feels that stronger oversight is urgently needed, mirroring a recent BBC report that Adult Gaming Centres are failing problem gamblers.

In addition to the issues raised, the inquiry also plans to challenge the government’s decision to allow Premier League clubs to manage their own gambling sponsorship deals. A verdict which Duncan Smith has described as a “soft decision,” instead calling for a legally binding restriction to replace the existing voluntary agreements currently in place.

Labour MP Alex Ballinger, vice chair of the APPG, said the committee’s work will ultimately determine whether a new Gambling Act is needed.

“Today’s gambling industry requires stronger and more effective regulation across a range of areas – from advertising and taxation to the future of land-based gambling,” he said.

APPG Has Already Notched Several Big Wins for Gambling Reform

Previous APPG efforts have led to several successful reforms, including the adoption of fixed-odds betting terminal limits and the introduction of a statutory levy to fund and support the UK’s NHS addiction services.

The latest APPG initiative looks set to expand on collecting relevant evidence related to gambling financial risk assessments, imposing maximum limits on slot machine stakes, as well as formulating the establishment of a potential gambling ombudsman.

Will Prochaska, director of The Coalition to End Gambling Ads, welcomed the relaunch.

“This is a significant moment in the campaign to reform the British gambling industry,” he said.

Prochaska praised the group’s uniformed approach as well as the renewed political momentum the launch has generated.

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