Thank you for contacting me about online gambling.
For many, gambling can be fun. However, I recognise that, for others, it can become a serious problem. While we all want a healthy gambling industry that makes an important economic contribution, we must also protect those who use it from harm.
The Gambling White Paper aims to strike this balance, proposing the most comprehensive reforms to the gambling sector since the Gambling Act 2005. Responding to the risks of online gambling, measures include: new stake limits for online slot games, associated with large losses and long sessions; background checks to protect those most at risk; plus rules to prevent bonus offers including free bets from harming vulnerable people.
There are proposals to increase protections for young people, who can be particularly vulnerable to gambling harms. This includes closing loopholes so that under-18s cannot gamble online, or via fruit machines which pay out cash.
Gambling industry regulatory systems will be strengthened so that they work in consumers’ interests. The Gambling Commission will get increased powers to tackle black market operators. A new non-statutory ombudsman will be created to deal with disputes where a customer suffers losses due to an operator breaching their social responsibility requirements.
I understand that the Government is working closely with the Gambling Commission and others to bring the measures from the White Paper into force as quickly as possible.
These proposals build on existing protections. The Gambling Commission has introduced rules to ensure operators robustly verify customers’ age and identity. Furthermore, in 2020, the Government and Commission bolstered protections, including banning credit card gambling and making participation in the self-exclusion scheme GAMSTOP mandatory for online operators.
The Government recognises the unique contribution that horseracing makes to the UK’s sporting culture, and in particular, to the rural economy. Ministers and officials have held regular meetings with both the British Horseracing Authority and the Horserace Betting Levy Board. There will also be a review into the current horserace betting levy to make certain racing continues to be appropriately funded for the future.
I am aware of calls to allocate an annual grant through the Horserace Betting Levy Board to fund aftercare provision for vulnerable horses leaving the racing industry. I note this was raised in a recent Westminster Hall debate and the Minister confirmed he would raise the issue of the welfare of horses no longer racing with the British Horseracing Authority.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
