Peers for Gambling Reform

Lord Foster, Chair of Peers for Gambling Reform said:

“Notwithstanding the delay in publication, where the government has failed to hold big gambling companies to account for far too long, and during which hundreds of gamblers have committed suicide, the proposals in the White Paper are an important step in the right direction.

We are now almost three years on from the publication of the House of Lords Select Committee’s Report. While, after extensive work and detailed lobbying by Peers for Gambling Reform, I am pleased to see the Government finally bringing forward many of the key reforms we proposed, I am particularly disappointed that nothing substantial has been included towards tackling the gambling adverts that bombard people through their phones, TVs and radios.

Nevertheless, the proposals in the White Paper are a positive start and I am pleased that at last they are being based on a recognition that gambling should be treated as a public health issue. We will continue to push Ministers to stop dithering and implement these measures now, before more lives are ruined.“

Peers for Gambling Reform (PGR) is pleased that the government has finally come forward with proposals which reflect many of the recommendations of the House of Lords Select Committee on the Economic and Social Impact of the Gambling Industry and the subsequent recommendations of PGR.

The House of Lords Select Committee published its report ‘Time for Action’ in July 2020. Almost three years later and following intense lobbying by PGR, which has pushed for implementation of the Select Committee recommendations, a milestone has today been achieved as the government has set out critical reforms to:

• Implement a mandatory levy to ensure all gambling companies pay for research, prevention, education and the treatment of harms;
• Apply affordability checks to reduce the likelihood of people gambling more than they can afford;
• Strengthen regulation of on-line gambling to be more in line with the regulation of land-based gambling
• Strengthen gamblers’ means of redress
• Limit some of the marketing activities of gambling companies

Taken together these measures and others in the White Paper should lead to a significant reduction in gambling harm in the UK. Currently millions of people are harmed by gambling either directly (including almost 60,000 11-16 year olds) or indirectly every year.  Tragically, over 400 people a year commit suicide because of gambling harms.  The economic burden of harmful gambling is estimated to be £1.27bn yearly with 60% of online gambling industry profits coming from  those experiencing, or those at risk of experiencing, gambling harms. Losses from online gambling are also greater in the most deprived areas – 20% of the poorest regions supply 25% of industry revenue. The reforms proposed by PGR have also been evaluated by the economic consultancy NERA and were found to be fiscally beneficial to the Exchequer.

Given the scale of harm and the time it has taken to come forward with these proposals, the government must swiftly move forward and implement these much-needed measures to bring our analogue legislation into the digital era. PGR will be working hard to ensure they do so. Nearly all of our recommendations can be dealt with in a matter of months by Ministers and the Gambling Commission using their existing powers.

Bishop of St Albans and Vice-Chair of Peers for Gambling Reform said:

“We have worked collaboratively with campaigners, parliamentarians, experts and academics to achieve this change and have full confidence that once these reforms are implemented, they will have a huge impact on protecting people from gambling related harm. For every day that real reform is delayed, gambling addiction across the country fuels homelessness, unemployment, imprisonment, family breakdown, depression, and, most seriously, suicide.”

Lord Butler of Brockwell, Vice Chair of Peers for Gambling Reform said:

“We urge the Government to continue this momentum in ensuring our legislative regime meets the demands of our digital age and to implement the welcome proposals set out in the White Paper today without further delay. Peers for Gambling Reform are not prohibitionists but are supportive of a responsible and safe gambling industry.”

Baroness Armstrong, Vice Chair of Peers for Gambling Reform said:

“After years of cross party campaigning I am thrilled that the Government has chosen to listen to expert voices and those who have been impacted by gambling harm. The Government today is doing the right thing by taking steps towards protecting our communities.”