DCMS select committee launches inquiry into the UK government's approach to gambling regulation

A Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport (DMCS) select committee has launched an inquiry into the UK government’s approach to the regulation of gambling, amid warnings “that more needs to be done to protect people” from gambling-related harm.

The Public Accounts Committee, National Audit Office and a House of Lords Committee have all called for more action to prevent problem gambling, a statement explains, with the DCMS Department and Gambling Commission coming in for criticism for their approach.

The DCMS Committee inquiry will be investigating the progress the Government has made in addressing the issues raised by Parliament, how to ensure regulation can keep up with innovations in online gambling and the links between gambling and broadcasting and sport.

The DCMS Committee is inviting written evidence on a number of questions by Friday 10th February, including “What is the scale of gambling-related harm in the UK?,” “How broadly should the term, ‘gambling’, be drawn?,” and “Is it possible for a regulator to stay abreast of innovation in the online sphere?”

“Gambling acts as an enjoyable pastime for large numbers of players, but regulation is struggling to keep pace with the rapidly changing way in which it happens today. This puts people at risk of the devastating harm it can sometimes cause to lives,” said DCMS Committee member Julie Elliott MP.

“The DCMS Committee’s inquiry will look at the scale of gambling-related harm in the UK, what the Government should do about it and how a regulatory regime can best adapt to new forms of online gambling, based both in and outside the UK,” added Elliott.

We welcome the launch of the DCMS Select Committee inquiry as a further opportunity to show our continuing commitment to raise standards, promote safer gambling and support economic growth. But like the gambling review, this process must be evidence led.https://t.co/JRJHXjLlGU pic.twitter.com/QScqtpMSIm

— Betting and Gaming Council (@BetGameCouncil) December 22, 2022

The select committee is made up of 11 MPs – between the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party and independents – and scrutinizes the work of the DCMS as well as its associated bodies.

The inquiry comes as the government continues working on the publication of the long-delayed Gambling Act white paper, part of the Gambling Act review, now expected to be out early next year. The document, which will set out the government’s plans for reform, was originally expected more than a year ago, after the review began in 2020.

However, the publication has faced various delays, partly related to changes in personnel in government and the Gambling Commission. The statement announcing the inquiry claims the White Paper is expected to be published “shortly,” and the committee is also inviting written evidence on key priorities that should be included in the paper.

Industry trade body the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has welcomed the inquiry. The BGC said that the inquiry would be a “further opportunity for the regulated industry to show our continued commitment to raising standards in safer gambling and to demonstrating our support for the UK economy.”