Stricter Regulation of the UK Gambling Industry Lies Ahead
There are so many subjects that are being covered in the 2024 UK General Election campaign. One that isn’t receiving too much coverage is the subject of gambling reform.
At the last General Election held in 2019, the Conservatives pledged in their manifesto to reform the UK gambling industry. The then Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the current gambling legislation was “an analogue law in a digital age” and added: “We will review it.”
As we now approach the 2024 General Election, not a great deal has changed. The review did take place and it was a rather lengthy one. Continual chaos in Downing Street and many ministerial changes meant that gambling reform took a back seat. More bets seemed to be being placed on who might win the next Conservative Party leader election.
Last year finally saw the publication of a White Paper into reform of the UK gambling industry. It addressed those comments that Boris Johnson had made. The last Gambling Act became law in 2005 and the industry has undergone so many changes since then.
Online gambling is so popular now and players can gamble on their mobile phones. The White Paper set out proposals that would see stricter measures put in place for the online gambling industry.
Still there was a lack of any legislation. The measures were discussed further and as 2024 arrived, nothing had come before Parliament to be voted on.
Many of the proposed measures were aimed at making gambling safer for younger players. The 18-24 age range is seen as one that is in particular danger of suffering gambling harm. One measure is to reduce the maximum stake limit for online slot games offered at established gambling platforms and UK new online casinos, such as the recently launched Bally, betMGM and NeptunePlay.
From September, this is due to be reduced to £2 for those in that age range. Players aged 25 and over would see the maximum stake cut to £5. However, with a change likely in Downing Street, it’s not known what will happen to these proposed changes. There have been calls to see the £2 limit introduced for players aged 25 and over too.
Other measures include stricter affordability checks to see if gamblers can afford the amounts that are being gambled. It’s a policy that isn’t too popular with gamblers and the fear is that if introduced, it could lead to players heading to the unregulated gambling industry.
What about land-based casinos? The Conservative Government recently released details of changes that have been welcomed by those in the industry.
These include ending the ban on the use of debit cards on gaming machines as long as applicable protection measures are introduced. The inability to make non-cash payments has seen land-based casinos lose revenue.
An increase in the number of gaming machines is also planned with as many as 80 in larger casinos. Another popular announcement was that land-based casinos will be able to take sports bets as is common in the USA. Younger players are also to receive more protection. Category D slot-style machines will only be able to be played by those aged 18 or over.
Again though, the question is how will the upcoming UK General Election affect the plans for reforming the gambling industry? It’s certainly an uncertain time for both gamblers and operators.
More action is being taken in countries around the world. Gambling continues to flourish globally but it does need to be regulated and players need to be protected.
How gambling products are advertised is a very controversial subject. In Bulgaria, their legislators have passed a law that will see advertising of gambling on social media and television banned. Only the National Lottery (which helps fund Bulgarian sport) advertisements will be allowed.
Away from social media, advertising gambling products on billboards must be at least 300m away from establishments such as schools.
Whatever the country, the gambling industry is a very competitive one. To attract and then keep customers companies offer welcome offers and then further bonuses. This can see players receiving free bets, though they come with plenty of restrictions.
There are concerns over such offers and Brazil has recently taken action against them. Free bets will be banned and those operating in the country will also be unable to accept deposits made in several ways including cash, cheques and cryptocurrencies.
The UK has also spoken out against some of the offers that are made by gambling companies to their customers, including VIP schemes.
Stricter regulation is on its way for the global gambling industry. Just what happens in the UK is all dependent on the result of the General Election. The whole subject seems to be one that although extremely important continues to remain in the background.
