QUIXANT Opportunity knocks
Quixant’s VP Business Development – EMEA, Leo Bateman, looks at What opportunities the UK Gambling Act review whitepaper will open for the UK gaming and sports betting industry.
reform, the UK Gambling Act review whitepaper was published this Spring, signalling some notable changes to the way the online and land based industry will operate. The whitepaper focuses on how gambling will
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be regulated in the UK moving forward in the current digital age and is largely aligned with the expectations of the industry, including updates on affordability checks, a review of stake limits and changes pertaining to the Gambling Commission, with an unexpected introduction of a gambling ombudsman that gives customers one point of contact for industry queries. In addition, the review will positively see the
easing of restrictions on the land-based gaming sector, with the potential to increase revenues for UK casinos and the gambling industry.
fter 18 years without change in gambling regulations in the United Kingdom and considerable anticipation and speculation for
The highlights of the whitepaper include: • Easing of restrictions for the land- based industry: Casinos will now be able to offer sports betting, the limits on the number of slot machines in larger casinos will be eased at a 5:1 ratio for slots to table games, whilst smaller casinos can host extra machines on a pro-rata basis dependent on their size.
• Changes to affordability checks: Detailed affordability checks will be required on players who lose £1,000 within 24 hours, or £2,000 over 90 days, and “passive” checks will be required for those who lose over £125 each month, or £500 per year.
• A consultation on stake limits: The DCMS will conduct a consultation on stake limits on slots, which may between £2 and £15 per spin, along with introducing lower thresholds for new accounts.
• A mandatory levy to be introduced for research, education, and treatment (RET) into gambling effects: This mandatory statutory levy will see operators paying a fee to the GB Gambling Commission for research, education and treatment (RET), supporting endeavours to promote a sustainable industry that is consumer protection focused.
• Creation of an ombudsman for dispute resolution: An independent gambling ombudsman will be created to address complaints from players, allowing the GB Gambling Commission to enact more targeted enforcement, and helping the industry to support vulnerable groups.
• Supporting the Gambling Commission: The Commission will review design rules for online games, introduce tougher restrictions on VIP schemes to protect those susceptible to gambling harm, explore regulation for prize draws and competitions, and review the Commission’s fees in 2024 to
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ensure it has adequate funding to enact the whitepaper’s proposals.
• A review and enhancement of advertising measures: The Commission will conduct a consultation on new proposed controls for customers, which includes the possibility to opt-in for online gambling offers, along with a move to have stronger informational messaging on the harms of gambling.
• Exploring statutory measures to tackle the black market: The DCMS are looking to make the current voluntary agreement with payment providers statutory, forcing providers to block illegally-operating gambling websites. Whilst measures such as additional
affordability checks pose hurdles for operators, and the introduction of new levies and a review of Commission fees could see rising operating costs, the easing of restrictions on the land-based gaming sector has the potential to drive future UK market growth. This will positively impact both operators and manufacturers of gaming machines with an anticipated increase in the number of gaming machines across casinos, and further opportunity with an increase in sports betting operation in the UK as it will be allowed within casinos.
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