Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Racing Industry: Gambling

Thursday 10 February 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister had extensive conversations with horse-racing industry on Gambling Act 2005 review and customer information sharing.
  • Minister confirmed that impact assessments will be conducted and offered to meet to discuss alternative proposals.
  • Minister committed to talking with racing and gaming industry to ensure proposals do not fuel black market and organised crime.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Bridgen Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The racing industry is seeking support from the government on various issues, including a single customer view.

Question

What discussions has the Minister had with representatives of the racing industry on (a) developing a single customer view and (b) the forthcoming gambling White Paper?

Answer from Chris Philp

I have had extensive conversations with the horse-racing industry and with hon. Members who represent constituencies with racing interests on the Gambling Act 2005 review in general and on the plans that the industry are voluntarily developing to share information on customers who are at severe risk of addictive gambling disorders.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Bridgen Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The racing industry is seeking specific measures to protect the horse-racing industry from potential negative impacts of gambling regulations.

Question

Can the Minister confirm that when the draft proposals of the review are announced, there will be an impact assessment on the horse-racing industry? Will he meet me to discuss my alternative to the proposed single customer view, the single customer wallet, which would not only be cheaper and more efficient for the industry to bring in, but offer consumers better protections?

Answer from Chris Philp

I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss his ideas. I assure him that proper impact assessments will be done.

Partly answered

Not addressed: single customer wallet discussion

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Q3 John Spellar Lab
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Minister is concerned about the potential for fraud and a flourishing black market in gambling.

Question

Before he brings out the gambling White Paper, will he talk to the racing and gaming industry to ensure that his proposals do not fuel the black market and organised crime?

Answer from Chris Philp

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for attending the recent meeting that we had on the topic. We are concerned about the possibility of black market gambling and hope there will be proposals to give the Gambling Commission additional powers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific proposal details

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Q4 Laurence Robertson Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Racing industry depends heavily on bookmakers for a significant portion of its income.

Question

Will the Minister consider the impact of proposed changes on horse-racing and ensure nothing undermines its status?

Answer from Chris Philp

I thank my hon. Friend for the meeting we recently attended. We will consider the impact of the whole set of proposals covered in the gambling White Paper, which will obviously have a number of effects on different bits of the economy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific impacts mentioned

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Q5 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Delays in gambling reforms are costing significant amounts annually, with up to 1.4 million people considered problem gamblers.

Question

Why is the Government dragging its feet on gambling reform when the need for it is clear? What measures will be taken before the White Paper?

Answer from Chris Philp

All kinds of measures have been taken to address problem gambling, including banning credit card use for online gambling. The Gambling Act review will be published soon after extensive consultation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timeline or actions mentioned

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