Expected reading time 4 minutes
Last Updated: May 15, 2024
Written by Jon Bryan
It’s just over a year since the government published their White Paper on Gambling, following numerous changes of their ministerial team in the run-up to publication, and various other postponements. Jon Bryan offers some thoughts on what we have learnt and what might be ahead.
IT’S A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION
While some thought the publication of the Gambling White Paper might provide something definitive in gambling regulation, it was obvious at the time (and especially now) that what we are seeing is an extended process.
The White Paper was a significant point, but not an end point, in gambling reform. Both the direction of travel and the finish line are still up for grabs. The White Paper was definitive on some things, but not everything. There were themes, proposals, and consultations, where you could have a good bet on what was going to happen. But, like the Grand National, the outcome was far from certain on everything, and that is still the case today.
One year on, what can we be definitive about in gambling regulation? And what is much less certain?
LIMITS FOR ONLINE SLOTS
On this issue, we have an outcome. Online slot games are set to be a maximum of £5 a spin from September 2024, but less for those aged 18-24. How long these levels stay like this is a matter of some debate, as some are already saying that these limits must come down, even before anyone has been able to assess the impact of this drastic change.
I have written about this elsewhere, to illustrate the prohibitionist tendencies of those who have a dislike of gambling, and online slots in particular.
THE LEVY
While the precise mechanism for this is not yet certain, we can already see the impact of this announcement. Various organisations appear to be doing battle to secure money.
The Levy is designed to provide funds for Research, Education and Treatment, but it is the latter which seems to be talked about less, which I find strange if you really care about treating those who are struggling. The Gambling Levy is a definite, but there is still much to play for in how it is implemented and who benefits.
AFFORDABILITY CHECKS
I have written extensively about the need to challenge affordability checks elsewhere on SlotsHawk, but the one important change that was announced two weeks ago was by the Betting and Gaming Council who have launched a new code.
While much of this is being piloted and evaluated, there is one thing that we can be sure about: the argument about state control over our spending on gambling has effectively been decided, and the outcome is not a welcome one.
THE WHITE PAPER NOW AND THE COMING MONTHS
It is sometimes difficult to step back and look at the overall picture when it comes to gambling regulation, and that is because the detail is important and will have an impact. The changes mentioned above are proof of that. But there is a need to reflect on what has happened over the last year, and what we can expect to see in the future.
REFLECTIONS AND WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
1. THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY IS NO LONGER A CHAMPION OF FREEDOM, INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CHOICE
It is difficult to know for definite whether the changes being pushed ahead in gambling regulation would have gone through under the stewardship of Liz Truss, but we have had two other Conservative Prime Ministers who have either let this go through without a steer from them, or who have pushed it through regardless of the consequences for society.
The Labour Party is likely to be no different in government to the Conservatives (and arguably could be worse in this matter), but the notion that ‘having a bet’ is a legitimate adult choice seems to have been consigned to the dustbin of history.
2. THE BATTLE OVER GAMBLING ADVERTISING HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED
When the Premier League took the initiative over a year ago on gambling advertising, it arguably changed what the government ended up proposing in their White Paper. Some countries have gone for an outright ban on gambling ads, or as close to a ban as possible. In the UK, we are seeing a backlash against gambling adverts in some quarters, with very few prepared to stand up for the right of companies to advertise their products.
Perhaps apathy and inertia will mean that this issue is left alone and free of more regulation for a while? Or perhaps an incoming Labour government will make promises on this issue in their manifesto? Either way, the debate is not yet settled, and it is definitely worth speaking up about it.
3. THE NARRATIVE AROUND GAMBLING: PROTECTING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE GROUPS
Two articles in the last few weeks in The Guardian have shown how much this continues to be a focus of gambling discussions, with ‘sneaky’ being in one headline and ‘bombardment’ in another. While the aim of preventing children from being able to gamble is a laudable one, and one I agree with, the reality is that much discussion is about ‘protecting’ all of us from gambling, regardless of whether it is harmful or not, and regardless of our age.
The gambling industry are good at enforcing no children in gambling venues, but this seems to be ignored. The focus on children and the vulnerable treats all of us as children and adopts a paternalistic attitude. This is something that needs to be continually challenged, both now and in the future.
4. THE VOICE OF THE CONSUMER HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND HAS BEEN HEARD, BUT THERE IS MORE TO BE DONE
Two standout moments for me over the last year have shown that gamblers can come together in a common cause. The first was the launch of the Gamblers Consumer Forum last summer, which showed that an organisation can come forward to represent the interests of gamblers. It has continued to produce excellent material over the last 12 months.
The second was when a petition questioning affordability checks on the gov.uk website got over 100,000 signatures, meaning that it qualified for a debate in Parliament. It was influential, and it spurred politicians and others into action. Everyone associated with that can be sure it has had an impact. More of this please.
Jon Bryan is a Gambling Writer and Poker Player. His new pamphlet “Risking It All: The freedom to gamble” is now available to purchase or free to download. You can subscribe (for free) to his Substack:
Follow him on Twitter /X @JonBryanPoker
