Gambling Commission Criticized by MPs
A cross-party group of MPs who form the APBGG have published a highly critical report of UKGC following feedback from concerned betting operators. The All-Party Group of MPs released a report on January 24th which claims that the UK Gambling Commission is not fit for purpose. The group which describes itself as a ‘go-between’ for the sector launched an investigation last year into the Competency and Effectiveness of the UKGC.
Operators do not feel they are being treated fairly by UKGC. ©Naim Benjelloun/Pexels
Why was there a report?
Various operators had complained of poor performance from the Commission and that operators had no way to complain about this other than to the Commission itself. The stated aim of the APBGG is that gambling should be legal and well-regulated, but says that it covers a wide spectrum of beliefs into the extent and scope of gambling provisions that should be allowed. The group had provided an anonymous platform for the gambling industry to voice their concerns. This was anonymous because there was a fear that operators who complained publicly would be subject to punishment by the UKGC. This in itself could be said to reflect the relationship between the industry and the regulator.
Commission Gone Rogue
The report highlights that since its creation on the 1st of October 2005, the Gambling Commission has seen very little scrutiny. The report calls for an overhaul of the Commission so that it reflects the needs of the industry. The report claims that the Gambling Commission has become overtly anti-gambling and is actively seeking to suppress industry activity rather than create safe and fair gambling opportunities.
The group of MPs believes that the Commission has ‘gone rogue with an anti-gambling culture permeating from the top down so that it is now little more than an industry-funded anti-gambling activist group. This intervention comes one week before the government is due to publish its own review of gambling laws that might see the rolling back of much of the Blair era legislation which is enshrined in the 2005 U Gambling Act.
The MPs’ report finds that the regulator is under-performing. It says that it is acting beyond its powers and is in breach of almost every element of the Regulators Code. In addition, the Gambling Commission is described as incompetent and ineffective in the report. The APBGG is calling for a reset of the culture and strategy by the appointment of a new Chair and CEO. They are extremely concerned that the current setup will destroy one of the most reputable gambling industries in the world.
Report Recommendations
They are calling on the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Better Regulation Executive to take the report seriously and to examine the many examples of poor practice that is highlighted in it. They have six recommendations that they are asking the DCMS to consider. These include what the role of the Gambling Commission is in the future and that a QC is commissioned to undertake an independent investigation of the enforcement process of the Commission. They are also calling for the DCMS to temporarily take over the complaints process and for the Commission to be put into ‘special measures’ to see if it is able to change. This is based on their conclusions from seven cases studies which the report covers from anonymous sources.
The report also serves to remind legislators that the gambling industry contributes £7.7 billion to the British Economy GVA and employs 119,000 people. In addition, it highlights that 42% of the British public had gambled in the previous four weeks and that millions of people gamble every year in the UK perfectly happily and enjoy themselves doing it.
The response
Gambling legislation is a hotly contended issue in the UK, with much pressure being brought to prevent problem gambling and there is an APPG which focuses on Gambling Related Harm. They have been vocal regarding urgent reform for gambling laws. These include a stakes limit and affordability checks. However, fewer than one in five punters say they would be happy with those checks being carried out according to a You Gov survey for The Betting and Gaming Council. The very real concern is that such reforms would lead to unregulated, black-market gambling.
As of yet, there has been no reaction to the report from the Gambling Related Harm APGG and the UKGC has yet to comment.
