Gambling industry questions timing and funding of new policy review

The launch of a new Gambling Policy Commission has drawn criticism from industry figures. Critics say Britain should assess the impact of its existing gambling reforms before reopening the debate. The panel began work on 9 November, while measures from the government’s 2023 white paper are still being rolled out.

Economist Professor Jagjit Chadha chairs the group. University of Reading professor James Reade is chief economist. Its eight-member panel draws on expertise in law, health, economics, public policy, academia and sport. The statutory Gambling Commission said it had no formal connection to the group, which has no role in regulating gambling in Great Britain.

Funding and remit draw scrutiny

The group says its seed funding came from Derek Webb, the founder of the Campaign for Fairer Gambling. Webb previously backed the campaign to cut the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 to £2. Dan Waugh, a consultant at Regulus Partners, questioned how the new panel would differ from other gambling reform organisations that Webb has funded.

Waugh also challenged the comparison with Sir Alan Budd’s review of gambling law in 2000 and 2001. The government appointed Budd’s panel to examine the law. The new commission has no equivalent government mandate. Waugh said a credible review would need to weigh the freedom to gamble against the need to protect people from harm, as Budd’s panel did.

Andrew Lyman, Gibraltar’s gambling commissioner, questioned how the group would weigh evidence without industry representation on the panel. G Gaming founder Helen Walton said any review should examine how tax and affordability measures have affected licensed operators.

Industry calls for time to assess existing reforms

The Betting and Gaming Council called for the government’s reforms to be given time to take effect.

“It is important these measures are given time to bed in and their impact properly evaluated.” – Betting and Gaming Council

The Gambling Commission said its priority was to finish implementing and evaluating the white paper measures. They need to draw on evidence from operators, consumers and other sources. The white paper followed a review of the Gambling Act 2005 and set out changes to consumer protections and the way the sector is regulated.

Waugh also questioned whether fresh primary legislation was needed. He pointed to the Gambling Commission’s existing powers over licensed operators and the government’s ability to make changes through secondary legislation. For the new panel, that leaves a question about what further changes it would recommend while the effects of the current reforms are still being assessed.