The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is set to publish the first tranche of Gambling Act review consultations later this month.
UKGC executive director for research and policy Tim Miller announced in a blog post today (7 July) that the initial consultations will cover age verification in premises, remote games design, direct marketing and cross-selling, and financial risk and vulnerability checks for remote operators.
The UKGC has been tasked with leading consultations this summer on many of the key recommendations outlined in the UK government’s white paper review published earlier this year.
Alongside the four consultations mentioned above, two additional consultations will be launched, unrelated to the review but previously announced.
These consultations will address rules regarding personal management licences and procedures for regulatory panels.
The Gambling Act review consultations will run for 12 weeks, allowing stakeholders and industry participants to contribute their input.
The anticipated closing dates for these consultations will be in October.
Second tranche
In his post, Miller also mentioned that preparations for the second set of Gambling Act review consultations are underway and will likely be launched in late autumn or before the end of the year.
These consultations will cover topics such as socially responsible inducements and gambling management tools.
Pre-consultation engagement with stakeholders will be initiated in the coming weeks to gather data and discuss these topics.
Miller also wrote that since May, when the Commission last provided an update on its progress, several key initiatives have been undertaken.
The Commission has released a consolidated guide laying out its expectations for White Labels and published a three-year review of evidence gaps and priorities.
The Commission also plans to publish web content on its approach to vulnerability shortly.
Clear roles and responsibilities
It is important to recognise that the Commission’s efforts complement the work of the government, according to Miller.
As a key adviser to the government, the Commission plays a vital role in advising on legislative amendments and the implementation of changes, he stated.
Clear distinctions have been established in terms of roles and responsibilities, such as the government leading the creation of a statutory levy while the Commission handles levy collection and distribution based on the government’s direction.
The potential impact of a levy system on future regulatory settlements is also being considered.
Monitoring progress
Finally, Miller highlighted that the Commission continues to collaborate closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support their work.
Additionally, the Commission is actively monitoring the progress of the gambling industry in fulfilling voluntary commitments, including the establishment of an ombudsman and the implementation of a single customer view.
“Full implementation of the review will be a job of several years, especially when you include evaluating the impact of any changes.
“But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to progress things as quickly as possible. We are determined to make progress at speed,” Miller concluded.
