Parliamentary group reopens probe into UK gambling oversight and enforcement

The UK’s Gambling Commission is under renewed scrutiny as lawmakers reopen an inquiry into the nation’s gambling laws, with the regulator facing accusations of weak enforcement and licensing failures from the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Gambling Reform.

The inquiry, led by former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, will examine whether the current regulatory framework sufficiently addresses gambling-related risks in the digital era.

The group’s review follows concerns that the previous government's 2023 White Paper did not fully address issues tied to modern gambling formats, including online protections and stake limits.

Duncan Smith reiterated his call for improved regulation during the inquiry’s launch: “Much more needs to be done to ensure our regulatory framework is fit for the digital age to protect people from harm.” The APPG has called for public submissions of evidence before a September 12 deadline to guide the group’s recommendations.

UKGC, government policies criticized

Duncan Smith described the Gambling Commission as a “soft touch governor,” citing what he views as repeated failures in licensing and enforcement. His remarks followed a BBC report that adult gaming centers are failing to adequately address the needs of problem gamblers.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s policies also drew criticism from Duncan Smith, particularly the decision allowing Premier League clubs to manage their own gambling sponsorships under voluntary agreements. The MP described the government’s stance as a “soft decision” and suggested that a legally binding restriction should replace the current approach.

Review of unresolved White Paper issues

The APPG inquiry plans to revisit several issues perceived as left unresolved by the 2023 White Paper. These include stake limits on slot machines, online gambling protections, and updates to gambling marketing guidelines, similar to recent regulatory changes in Denmark.

The inquiry is also expected to assess the powers of local councils in regulating gambling within their jurisdictions and review slot machine ratio rules.

Labour MP Alex Ballinger, the APPG’s vice chair, said the committee’s work will help evaluate the need for new legislation. “Today’s gambling industry requires stronger and more effective regulation across a range of areas – from advertising and taxation to the future of land-based gambling,” he stated.

Previous APPG reforms and new evidence collection

“This is a significant moment in the campaign to reform the British gambling industry,” said Will Prochaska, director of The Coalition to End Gambling Ads, welcoming the APPG's relaunch.

Previous efforts by the APPG have contributed to gambling reforms such as the adoption of fixed-odds betting terminal limits and the introduction of a statutory levy to support the UK’s NHS addiction services.

The current inquiry will gather evidence on gambling financial risk assessments, proposals for maximum limits on slot machine stakes, and the potential establishment of a gambling ombudsman, among other key initiatives.