Strategic focus 3: Setting clear, evidence-based requirements for licensees
The Government published its White Paper High Stakes - Gambling reform for the digital age (opens in new tab) in April 2023. The White Paper sets the immediate policy agenda for the gambling market in Great Britain, and assigns us, as the gambling regulator, a number of commitments.
As we deliver our commitments from the White Paper, we aim to ensure that our regulation is as clear and as focused as possible, making it easier for licensees to operate compliantly at the earliest possible opportunity. This is consistent with the National Audit Office’s principles of effective regulation, the Regulators’ Code and our own Statement of Principles.
Here is the specific deliverable which will support the delivery of this strategic focus:
Implementation of Gambling White Paper reforms
We will:
- undertake a pilot and data collection period to inform our approach to implementing Financial Risk Assessments and publish final decisions
- publish details of a joint evaluation model with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
- support DCMS on Government and industry-led White Paper measures
- publish consultation responses and set out our approach to implementation of any changes arising in the following areas:
- requirements for light-touch Financial Vulnerability Checks
- new requirements on operators for fairer and safer remote game design for casino games as part of our Remote Technical Standards
- new requirements to improve consumer choice on direct marketing
- amended requirements to support the prevention of underage gambling in the land based sector.
- publish consultation responses and set out our approach to implementation of any changes arising in the following areas:
- working to ensure that incentives such as free bets and bonuses are constructed in a socially responsible manner
- the role of customer-led gambling management tools and tackling artificial barriers to consumer choice
- removal of the requirement to contribute to Research, Prevention and Treatment from our Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, in preparation for a statutory levy
- improved transparency on customer funds in the event of insolvency.
- commence consultations in relation to further policy areas including Gaming Machine Technical Standards.
Why: This forms part of our strategic commitment to deliver those measures we are responsible for in the Government’s White Paper including improving transparency to consumers, consumer choice as well as player protections and product safety.
As a result: We will deliver on the Government’s ambition to ensure that gambling regulation in Great Britain remains appropriate, proportionate and effective in this digital age. Online gambling will be safer by design, with licensees marketing their products responsibly and being more proactive in preventing unchecked and unaffordable gambling.
Read more details about this strategic focus in our corporate strategy.
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Strategic focus 4: Being proactive and addressing issues at the earliest opportunity
Last updated: 18 July 2024
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