For many, gambling can be fun, but I recognise that, for others, it can become a serious problem. While we all want a healthy gambling industry that makes an important economic contribution, we must also protect those that use it from harm. Ever since I was on the Health Select Committee, I have realised that gambling addiction has been a significant cause of people taking their own lives.
Operators must be licensed by the Gambling Commission and comply with the accompanying conditions. In 2019, the Gambling Commission introduced new rules to ensure operators verify customers’ age and identity details quickly and robustly. Furthermore, in 2020, the Government and Commission provided further protections, including a ban on credit card gambling, making participation in the self-exclusion scheme GAMSTOP mandatory for online operators, and new guidance for operators to identify customers who may have been at heightened risk during the pandemic. For further information on GAMSTOP, please search: https://www.gamstop.co.uk/
I understand Public Health England’s review of gambling-related harms did not find evidence that exposure to advertising is a risk factor for harmful gambling. However, I am reassured that my ministerial colleagues are aware that gambling advertising can negatively affect some groups, such as those with gambling problems, and that some aspects of advertising can appeal to children. While rules are already in place to prevent advertising from causing harm to children and vulnerable people, the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) has recently implemented strengthened protections for adults who are vulnerable to gambling harm. A further announcement on new rules aimed at reducing the appeal of gambling adverts to children is also expected shortly.
I am delighted that the Government recognises that the Gambling Act 2005 is an analogue law in a digital age. A review of the act was launched in 2020 and examines online restrictions, marketing and the powers of the Gambling Commission. Furthermore, protections for online gamblers like stake and spend limits, advertising and promotional offers and whether extra protections for young adults are needed are also being explored. I understand that the Government aims to set out its findings in a White Paper in due course.
Furthermore, I can appreciate the concerns raised about gambling advertisements. Broadcasters have discretion over how advertising breaks are set and what adverts are broadcast, as long as they comply with the advertising codes. These codes set rules such as preventing gambling adverts from airing around any programmes that particularly appeal to children. All gambling advertising, wherever it appears, is subject to strict controls on content and placement enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority and Ofcom.
The gambling industry’s own Code for Socially Responsible Advertising also includes restrictions on televised advertising, such as a ban on showing most forms of gambling advertising before 9pm, and the ‘whistle-to-whistle’ ban preventing betting ads from airing during and immediately before and after live sporting events.
As part of the broader scope of the Government's review of the Gambling Act 2005, the review will look at the impacts of advertising and marketing by gambling operators, wherever it appears.
I also appreciate the concerns raised that skilled betting is being considered alongside non-skilled betting, such as slot machines and bingo, under the Government’s review of the Gambling Act 2005. This review is examining protections for online gamblers (including stake and spend limits), advertising and promotional offers, and whether extra protections for young adults are needed. I do, however, understand that the Government is aware that online gambling on slots, casinos or bingo games is associated with a higher rate of problem gambling (9.2 per cent) compared to online betting with a bookmaker (2.5 per cent). Furthermore, I have been assured that the review aims to make certain that the Gambling Act is fit for the digital age, striking the right balance between protecting vulnerable people from gambling related harm, while also respecting the freedom of adults to choose how they spend their money and leisure time. I have the utmost confidence that the Government is taking these points into account as it conducts the review.