Online gambling has been the subject of much concern in recent years, but I know that decisive action is being taken in this area.
The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising Act) 2014 brought offshore online gambling operators under the Gambling Commission’s regulatory regime for the first time. Since then, the Commission has introduced several additional licence conditions in relation to online gambling. These new requirements include providing easily accessible facilities for consumers to impose their own limits.
Alongside this, a new multi-operator online self-exclusion scheme now allows customers to simultaneously self-exclude from many, and in the future all, online gambling sites. As of 31st March 2020, all online operators, regardless of where they are based, are required to sign up to this portal. You can find out more here: https://www.gamstop.co.uk/
Ministers are continuing to work with the Gambling Commission and the industry on player protections in the online sector. Indeed, new rules from the Gambling Commission recently came into force, to toughen up protections around online gambling. This includes strengthening age verification rules, so that operators check people’s ages before they gamble, not after, adding an extra layer of protection for children and young people.
The Commission is also developing plans to ensure operators do more to identify those at risk of problem gambling and reduce the risk of harm occurring. I understand that a full review of the Gambling Act is being undertaken, with a focus on tackling issues around online loot boxes and credit card misuse, to ensure it is fit for the digital age.
Finally, I am pleased that credit cards have been banned for all gambling since April 14th, delivering on the pledge made in the manifesto I stood on at the 2019 general Election.
HELEN
