UK Social Care Committee Examines Gambling Harms and Ongoing Reforms

The UK Health and Social Care Select Committee organized a one-off oral evidence session on April 2 to expand its outlook on the current state of gambling in the country and its associated harms. Participants aimed to assess the effectiveness of regulatory reforms and discuss further measures to solve gambling-related issues.

The Committee Prioritizes Consumer Safety

According to the commission, in 2023, England had around 25 million people participating in gambling activities. The UK gambling industry reported a gross gambling yield (GGY) of £15.6 billion ($20.54 billion) in the financial year ending March 2024. With such massive figures, MPs were concerned about a spike in gambling-related harm, prompting the government to push for a “cultural shift” in understanding and addressing these issues.

During the session, MPs debated how public health teams within local authorities can take a more proactive stance toward minimizing gambling-related harm. The debate also raised the issue of whether current regulations sufficiently protect children and vulnerable populations from gambling harms, as rising addiction rates and increasingly aggressive marketing by operators have caused substantial concerns.

Regulations Must Constantly Evolve to Tackle Shifting Challenges

Tim Miller, the executive director of policy and research at the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), addressed the Committee and underlined the gambling industry’s ongoing regulatory evolution. Miller acknowledged that the UK market has experienced rapid developments over recent years and was adamant that further reforms were necessary to keep up with shifting industry trends.

“This is a landscape that has been rapidly changing over the last few years and will continue to do so. From our perspective as a regulator, we are constantly shifting and adapting to those changing risks.”

Tim Miller, UKGC executive director of policy and research

The UK Government’s recently introduced statutory levy on gambling operators stands as its most recent initiative to fund prevention, education, and treatment efforts. The Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) confirmed that the levy will require operators to contribute between 0.1% and 1.1% of their GGY annually.

Miller also underlined the need for enhanced regulatory powers to counteract illegal gambling websites, which pose a growing risk to vulnerable players. He also advocated for the UKGC to gain the ability to set its own licensing fees, granting it enhanced flexibility in resource allocation. Miller also dismissed claims that the gambling industry is self-regulated, noting that government oversight extended across all levels of the industry.

“The illegal market is going to become more and more costly for us to address, and we need to have the freedom to flex our licensing fees to meet those challenges.”

Tim Miller, UKGC executive director of policy and research

According to Miller, the UK government remains committed to pursuing further regulatory reforms, enhancing consumer protection, and promoting regulated industry growth. With measures like mandatory deposit limits, a ban on mixed product promotions, and online slot stake limits in the pipeline, operators, policymakers, and advocates remain instrumental in shaping the future of responsible gambling in the UK.