Report

ABSG Progress Report on the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms – Year Two

ABSG - Year two Progress Report on the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms

Published
7 July 2021

Last updated
28 June 2024 - Changes

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ABSG Progress Report on the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms – Year Two

Delivery and governance

Prevention and education

Treatment and support

2 - Background

Two parliamentary reports on gambling harm were published in 2020². These reports called for action to:

protect consumers from harm
strengthen enforcement
improve use of data and address funding for research education and training.

As highlighted in this report, the Commission has been working alongside other partners to address the recommendations in these reports.

The first ABSG Progress Report was published in June 2020 – when the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) was at an early stage. At the time of writing, lockdown measures were in the process of easing, and the impact of coronavirus was still emerging. In addition to the huge loss of life, damage to economies and pressure on health and care services³, the pandemic has highlighted and amplified existing health, socio-economic, gender and race inequalities⁴. Disproportionate infection and death rates amongst Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups⁵, a rise in domestic violence⁶ diminished mental health and wellbeing across the population⁷, and rising household debt⁸⁹, have all been negative consequences¹⁰. Now, more than ever, there are tangible signs of the ‘fraying of the social safety net’¹¹ which allows communities to support those most in need - unemployment, social isolation, stress amongst them¹². These could all feature on the gambling harm pathway, either as triggers or as impacts¹³.

Year 2 key event timeline

June 2020
Gambling Commission action - ABSG's Year One Progress Report
June 2020
National Strategy partner action - Strategy Implementation Group for Scotland hold action planning session
June 2020
Key event - Non-essential businesses re-open following first national lockdowns
June 2020
Key event - Public Accounts Committee report on gambling regulation
July 2020
Key event - House of Lords report on social and economic impact of the gambling industry.
September 2020
National Strategy partner action - DCMS opens consultation on lootboxes in video games
November 2020
Gambling Commission action - GC starts consultation on customer interaction and affordability
November 2020
Key event - GB enters second national lockdowns
November 2020
National Strategy partner action - Guidance published for financial sector on gambling vulnerability factors
December 2020
National Strategy partner action - DCMS announce review of Gambling Act and change in age limits for the National Lottery
January 2021
Key event - GB enters third national lockdowns
January 2021
Gambling Commission action - GC announce outcome of consultation on safer games design
January 2021
Gambling Commission action - GC launch Lived Experience Advisory Group to provide input on regulatory approach