Consultation response
Amendments to LCCP due to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024: Consultation Response
This response sets out our position in relation to the consultation on the proposed amendments to LCCP due to the introduction of the DMCC Act 2024.
Equalities impact assessment
We are committed to giving consideration to potential equalities impacts, having regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
Our position, as a result of our initial assessment, was set out in the consultation. The Gambling Commission does not currently consider that any of the proposals set out in this response document give rise to any known negative impacts in the context of the policy objectives.
We invited views, evidence or information which might assist the Commission in considering any equalities impacts in the context of the proposals.
We received one response which helped inform our assessment of the equalities impact of the proposals. The respondent expressed concern about those consumers who are experiencing vulnerability and highlighted that this legislative change alone will not guarantee meaningful protection unless the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) explicitly requires gambling operators to implement policies and processes that recognise and respond to vulnerability. For the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, vulnerability is not itself a protected characteristic, but we acknowledge that a person's vulnerability may arise from or be linked to a protected characteristic.
In line with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) impact assessment guidance, the government’s impact assessment (opens in new tab) for the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Bill considered (at pages 41 to 43) whether the DMCC Act 2024 reforms would impact those consumers who share protected characteristics. It was not expected that the reforms would have any direct impact or actively discriminate against those with protected characteristics or other consumer groups. It is anticipated that these reforms will benefit consumers more broadly through enhanced protections and clearer guidance. In relation to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) specifically, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is aware of the need for improved provision of signposting, advice and support to enable consumers, particularly those in vulnerable groups, to access and benefit from ADR provision.
Having considered the consultation responses, our position remains the same as our initial assessment, being that the proposals do not present a negative impact on the protected characteristics stated within the Equality Act 2010, and they do not contribute towards unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation and/or other conduct prohibited by the Act.
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Annex - Changes to LCCP related to DMCC consultation response
Last updated: 18 December 2025
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