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Gambling Act Review White Paper
27 April 2023
Lead MP
Lucy Frazer
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSEconomyCulture, Media & SportMental Health
Other Contributors: 31
At a Glance
Lucy Frazer raised concerns about gambling act review white paper in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Gambling, a popular pastime with economic contributions, has been transformed by smartphones. The Government proposes reforms to address issues like addiction and unaffordable losses through measures such as stake limits on online slots, restrictions on bonus offers that exacerbate harm, and enhanced regulatory oversight. A statutory levy will fund research and treatment for problem gambling. An ombudsman is planned to provide redress for customers. Steps are taken to protect children from gambling, and the balance between traditional and online gambling regulations is being reassessed.
John Spellar
Lab
Warley
Question
The Minister stated that no one should be denied an innocent flutter. Has she considered the impact of gambling dens where people can lose thousands in a day, often from debt or low wages? Does she have any plans to address these issues?
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged concerns and highlighted measures such as stake limits and affordability checks but did not specify additional targeted initiatives for gambling dens.
Ceredigion
Question
Many constituents suffer from gambling harm and are unaware of the help available. What more can be done to raise awareness and provide support?
Minister reply
The Minister emphasised the importance of raising awareness through campaigns and providing accessible information on support services.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
How will the proposed levy be structured to ensure it effectively funds research, education, and treatment for problem gambling?
Minister reply
The Minister stated that details are yet to be finalized but committed to ensuring the levy is effective in supporting these areas.
Chris Clarkson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle
Question
How will vulnerable groups, such as those with mental health issues or addiction histories, be protected from gambling harm?
Minister reply
The Minister highlighted measures including affordability checks and stake limits but did not provide specific details on protections for vulnerable groups.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
York Central
Question
There are concerns about the impact of gambling harm on communities. What plans does the Government have to support local areas affected by this issue?
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged community impacts and highlighted ongoing work to address these through regulation and funding measures.
Pontypridd
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for that update, and for advance sight of her statement. I, too, pay tribute to all the campaigners who have long been calling for better regulation and reform of the gambling industry... (full question provided)
Minister reply
I thank the shadow Minister for her comments. The shadow Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Manchester Central (Lucy Powell), made her apologies to me, for which I am grateful; I understand the reasons for her absence... (full answer provided)
Question
I congratulate my right hon. and learned Friend on finally—finally—getting this White Paper published... (full question provided)
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend makes some important points. I think all of us across this House want to ensure that we protect children... (full answer provided)
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of her statement. We have consistently encouraged and pressed the Government for action in this area and, as other right hon. and hon. Members have said, a dozen Ministers responsible for gambling have come and gone since change was first promised... (full question provided)
Minister reply
I am very grateful for that constructive approach and I look forward to working with the hon. Gentleman on the measures as they progress... (full answer provided)
Chingford and Woodford Green
Question
Welcomes the announcement, pays tribute to members of the all-party parliamentary group on gambling related harm for their work. Mentions that although it's a positive start, more needs to be done regarding online harms caused by betting companies and advertising of gambling products to children.
Minister reply
Commends Duncan Smith’s comments, mentions steps being taken to protect under-18s from gambling and welcomes the Premier League’s voluntary ban on gambling advertisements on football shirts. Notes commitment to review statutory levy funding.
Question
Questions the thinking behind asking gambling companies to think 25 when verifying age, rather than 21.
Minister reply
Explains that the White Paper proposes a consultation on reducing betting limits for those aged between 18 and 25.
Question
Asks if the Gambling Commission will be able to run independent background affordability checks without causing friction in the system.
Minister reply
Confirms that player protection checks are largely seamless, affecting only a small percentage of people. Also mentions ongoing work on loot boxes with industry.
Carolyn Harris
Lab
Neath and Swansea East
Question
Welcomes the White Paper but urges swift action to implement proposals without delaying tactics.
Minister reply
Commends Harris’s work, assures that legislation will be brought forward swiftly through statutory instruments.
Question
Questions how many regular punters were consulted before bringing forward these proposals and raises concerns about the arbitrariness of affordability check figures.
Minister reply
States that 400 meetings have been held with stakeholders. Explains that checks will be frictionless, affecting only a small percentage who might need additional scrutiny.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Question
Asks how the money from the statutory levy will be used independently of industry influence.
Minister reply
Assures that gambling companies will have no say in what research funds are spent on.
Question
Welcomes tone but asks about ensuring regulation does not damage grassroots sport, highlighting symbiotic relationship between the industry and sports.
Minister reply
Acknowledges importance of striking a balance to protect vulnerable people while allowing the industry to support public services.
Ronnie Cowan
SNP
Ayr South
Question
Welcomes the statement and acknowledges campaigners' hard work. Expresses concern about industry involvement in regulatory processes, emphasising need to involve individuals with lived experience of gambling harm.
Minister reply
Commends MP's work and recognises campaigners. Acknowledges importance of advertising aimed at young children being prohibited and mentions Premier League's voluntary ban but does not commit to further statutory action.
Craig Whittaker
Con
Pendle
Question
Questions the statement's lack of mention regarding unregulated gambling sites accessible through search engines, highlighting vulnerability of scratchcard users and for-profit fundraisers. Questions if measures adequately protect vulnerable individuals.
Minister reply
Acknowledges complexity of White Paper but emphasises intention to strengthen Gambling Commission's powers and local authority resources to combat black market operators.
Paul Blomfield
Lab
Sheffield Central
Question
Praises Secretary of State for acknowledging constituent work but expresses disappointment over lack of further action on advertising, especially in football. Highlights the harm caused by advertisements during matches and calls for comprehensive measures.
Minister reply
Acknowledges constituents' work and current ban on targeting children through advertisements. Stresses that Government made its position clear to Premier League and will review any new research.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Question
Asks Secretary of State to review regulatory regime for postcode lottery and hospice lotteries.
Minister reply
Acknowledges valuable revenues from society lotteries but mentions raising the age limit to protect young people. Open to further discussions on their work.
John Spellar
Lab
Lychpool
Question
Congratulates Minister for publishing White Paper and discusses vulnerability of regime to offshore operators who flout regulations. Asks for a whole-of-Government approach including crime agencies, Treasury, and banks.
Minister reply
Emphasises strengthening Gambling Commission's powers and local authorities' resources to combat black market operators and suspend licences from companies breaking rules.
Selaine Saxby
Con
North Devon
Question
Highlights accessibility of black market through smartphones, seeking assurance that regulator will take action.
Minister reply
Confirms regulator's ability to block or take down black market operators and suspend licences from companies breaking rules.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
References personal loss due to gambling harms and urges fast implementation of proposed measures.
Minister reply
Acknowledges personal impact and expresses hope that reforms will be viewed positively by those affected. Emphasises need for thorough regulations in the smartphone age.
Mark Fletcher
Con
Hull West and Conway
Question
Welcomes statement but expresses concern about future-proofing measures against gambling industry's adaptability.
Minister reply
Acknowledges need for reviews and mentions statutory levy to keep up with technological advancements and evidence-based policy changes.
Question
The end of gambling company sponsorship on premier league team shirts is a welcome step, but it will not come until the end of the 2025-26 season—three years hence. It is not good enough; there is not enough urgency in that.
Minister reply
I recognise the points that the hon. Member is making, but I would like to congratulate the Premier League on the action it has taken. The White Paper today brings in a large number of actions that will make a significant difference.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
When Governments ban or curtail legitimate activities, underground markets bubble up to fill that void. Even without things such as stake limits, 5% of UK gamblers have used unlicensed and unregulated sites.
Minister reply
It is important to ensure that we protect people from legitimate gambling where we have problem gamblers, but also from the black market.
Question
The Secretary of State said in her statement that she will ensure that children can “engage in no forms of gambling”, including online gambling. Can she confirm whether that will be through an age verification process?
Minister reply
It is already the case that it is illegal for children to gamble online, and there are some protections in place.
Louie French
Con
Old Bexley and Sidcup
Question
Clearly there is a delicate balance between addiction and the safe enjoyment of gambling. What assurances can my right hon. and learned Friend provide that these proposed reforms will not negatively impact people’s enjoyment of a day at the races, a football bet on a Saturday?
Minister reply
For those who are betting occasionally and as a matter of enjoyment, these measures will not make any difference—they will still be able to enjoy their leisure activities.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
I welcome a number of the measures that the Secretary of State has set out today, including the statutory levy. Given that technology moves at great pace, what assurances can she give that not only the rules will be updated in future but that the powers, resources and capacity of the new regulator will be kept up to date with the moves in technology?
Minister reply
It is fundamental that we continue to consider this issue as technology changes. The statutory levy will enable us to have research and make evidence-based policy.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Secretary of State very much for her statement on the Gambling Act review. Many of us feel that there has been positive progress, so I say well done, Secretary of State. Photographic ID proving age is necessary on betting apps, so some under-18s have been buying fake IDs to enable them to bet online.
Minister reply
It is, of course, important that we protect young people and that people under the age of 18 do not gamble.
Question
As vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on gambling-related harm, I thank the Secretary of State for her statement and welcome the long-awaited White Paper. Does the Secretary of State agree that this highlights the need for an intersectional public-health-focused and free-to-access treatment programme offering tailored support to those who require it?
Minister reply
I was very pleased in my engagement to speak with clinicians who are dealing with gambling harm, and I am pleased that the statutory levy will ensure that NHS trusts will take the funding that they have previously turned away because of where the money was coming from.
Shadow Comment
Alex Davies-Jones
Shadow Comment
Welcoming many measures but urging more substance in the statement. Questions include levy contributions differences for land-based and online forums, economic impact assessment, Premier League’s voluntary ban on gambling ads, additional resources for the Gambling Commission, independent setting of affordability checks, stake limits based on product danger, stronger action on loot boxes affecting children's mental health and finances.
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