GambleAware’s chief executive officer, Zoë Osmond, has weighed in on the statutory levy consultations, expressing her excitement about the measure. However, she also had a few points to make.

For reference, the levy would require all operators in the UK to provide a portion of their revenues for gambling harm research and treatment and was among the measures outlined in the Gambling Act white paper.

Osmond said that GambleAware has been waiting for this measure for years and is happy to finally see it happen. The charity sector previously depended on voluntary donations but will now have some much-needed security.

The CEO of GambleAware added that she hopes that the sector can finally move on from the “unhelpful distraction” of heated discussions about dependence and funding.

In the meantime, Osmond said that the Levy can potentially transform the charity sector, helping more people across Britain get access to gambling harm treatment. However, she noted that there are a number of “core elements in the proposed approach” that her team believes could negatively impact the provision of services.

Osmond Had a Few Points to Make

Osmond started by mentioning that GambleAware supports the creation of a National Strategy for the Prevention and Treatment of Gambling Harms. While this was not a part of the proposals, GambleAware believes that one is absolutely needed to transform the system of prevention and treatment.

In addition, GambleAware would prefer if there be a single Prevention and Treatment Commissioner tasked with increasing awareness of societal issues and accessibility of gambling harm treatment services across the country. In the absence of such a commissioner, GambleAware believes that it is essential that the Treatment and Prevention Commissioners work together to ensure that the system is working as intended.

Osmond also believes that the current proposed funding allocations do not adequately reflect GambleAware’s desire to focus more on prevention and early intervention than on treatment.

In order to have a meaningful impact on gambling harm at a population level across Great Britain, prevention must be reprioritized with additional funding. At a minimum, there should be an equal focus on both prevention and treatment. 

Zoë Osmond, CEO, GambleAware

Osmond also noted that the current definitions of treatment and prevention used in the consultation do not recognize that prevention is broken into primary, secondary and tertiary approaches. The current proposals define interventions as Tier 1 and Tier 2 prevention and put them under the authority of the Treatment Commissioner.

Osmond recommended the co-commissioning of these interventions, including the helpline. She also proposed that the launch of national public awareness campaigns and digital early interventions should be included within the remit of the Prevention Commissioner.

Finally, Osmond once again emphasized the need for a smooth transition to the new system. She warned that failing to do that might deprive the third sector of funding and disrupt the availability of services.

Osmond concluded that she hopes her concerns will be addressed so that the levy reaches its full transformational potential.

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The gambling regulator in the UK, the Gambling Commission, announced the launch of consultations regarding the proposed changes following the review of the Gambling Act in the country. The consultations launched Wednesday and will run for 12 weeks. During that time, the Commission asks gambling operators, health experts, consumers and other groups involved in the sector to submit their opinion regarding key changes that seek to improve the regulated gambling sector. Ultimately, the proposals seek to make the UK gambling industry safer, fairer and free from crime.

Stuart Andrew, the country’s Gambling Minister, explained that the proposed changes to the gambling regulation seek to make the new rules suitable for the digital era. Additionally, he explained that the government seeks to ensure customers that enjoy gambling responsibly to continue doing so while protecting at-risk or vulnerable people from gambling harm. Andrew added: “These consultations give people a chance to have their say and I encourage everyone to make their voice heard.”

“We are updating our decades old gambling laws to make them fit for the smartphone era.“

Stuart Andrew, Gambling Minister

The recently launched consultations will seek the opinion of consumers, gambling companies and industry stakeholders within four strategic areas. Those include proposals for strengthening age verification for land-based gambling venues and improving customer choice on direct marketing. Moreover, the Commission seeks opinions regarding the design of remote games and financial risk and vulnerability.

In addition to the aforementioned areas, the Commission seeks input regarding proposals that call for the implementation of personal management licenses for employees that hold management-level roles. Separately, the regulator would consult on proposals “relating to the composition and decision-making processes of the Commission’s Regulatory Panels.”

Changes to the Gambling Sector Are Imminent

The launch of the consultation comes after the gambling regulator touched on the topic of cashout issues for bettors. The Commission’s director of communications, Lucy Denton, recently explained that operators should never obstruct customers from withdrawing their funds. Yet, she added that the application of specific restrictions related to depositing is something that may be implemented.

“We are pleased to now focus consultation and engagement on the detail of how such protections and controls can be implemented in practice.“

Tim Miller, executive director for research and policy at the Gambling Commission

Focusing once again on the consultations, the regulator’s executive director for research and policy, Tim Miller, highlighted the importance of input from consumers and gambling companies. “These consultations offer the opportunity for people to have their say on proposals aimed at empowering and protecting consumers,” he said.

Miller explained that some of the proposals have already seen plenty of engagement. Finally, he explained that the launch of the consultations represents a milestone moment for the changes in gambling regulations in the country.

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Sarah Gardner, the deputy CEO of the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission, commented on the Gambling Act review during yesterday’s Lotteries Council Annual Conference. She promised that the UK gambling sector will soon learn the results of certain planned consultations.

Gardner told stakeholders that the UKGC has a lot to think about and that many of the white paper proposals need to be further discussed. She said that the entire process may take years but that it is imperative to do it right rather than do it fast.

Still, she noted that some areas will soon see some progress.

For our part, whilst the implementation of the White Paper – which has over 60 areas of work for the Gambling Commission alone – will likely take a number of years to fully complete, that doesn’t mean we can’t make rapid progress in a number of key areas.

Sarah Gardner, deputy CEO, UKGC

She noted that License Conditions and Codes of Practice changes must be thoroughly consulted, which will take time. The deputy CEO also said that the UKGC will adopt “less haste and more speed” in its approach, carefully evaluating its actions.

Gardner concluded that she cannot provide a timetable but said that the UKGC hopes to publish the first set of white paper-related consultations by the end of the summer. By that point, consultations in other policy areas should have begun.

What Operators Should Do in the Meantime

While the consultations will take a while and implementing new rules will take even longer, Gardner encouraged operators to remain responsible. She advised them to follow the principles outlined by CEO Andrew Rhodes. These are the following:

• putting people first
• doing the right thing
• regulation that works for all.

Gardner elaborated that companies should protect people from gambling harm and prevent gambling-related crime. In addition, companies should be fair, honest and transparent. Finally, the industry should work together with the UKGC when it comes to regulation.

The deputy CEO warned that incompliance will be appropriately punished. She noted that the UKGC will not hesitate to enforce the rules if operators do not do what is expected of them. On the contrary, the UKGC will remain favorable and open-minded when it comes to engaging with operators that are diligent in following the rules.

Gardner concluded that collaboration will allow the UKGC to make much faster progress on all white paper-related matters. She addressed all interested operators and lottery operators, saying:

We want to work with you on that journey and where we consult we will want your views. Keep your products safe, fair and crime-free and we will be only too happy to continue to collaborate with you as you continue raising vital funds for good causes.

Sarah Gardner, deputy CEO, UKGC

Two weeks ago, the UKGC posted plans for implementing the white paper proposals.

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