"Now more than ever operators must ensure that consumer safety is paramount"

Amid uncertainties caused by the coronavirus crisis, the UK Gambling Commission published Wednesday its 2020/21 Business Plan which outlines key priorities for the year ahead, including an ongoing commitment to reducing gambling harm, and continuing its work in making gambling safer, particularly online. 

"We begin a new financial year in extraordinary circumstances, the Covid-19 virus will bring significant challenges for us all, including the gambling industry," said Neil McArthur, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission. "With social distancing measures in place people are more likely to feel isolated and now more than ever operators must ensure that consumer safety is paramount."

"Gambling-related harm must be drastically reduced and if operators cannot protect customers from harm we are ready and willing to act; if necessary we will use our powers to suspend and revoke operating and personal licenses," McArthur warned. 

"Since our review of online gambling in 2018 we have tightened age and ID verification rules, strengthened rules around customer interaction, and unfair terms and conditions and most recently we banned gambling on credit cards. This year we will continue to deliver our recommendations by addressing VIP incentives and making online advertising and online gambling products safer."

"The volume and complexity of our work continue to grow.  However, we will continue to focus our resources on the areas that have maximum impact for the greatest number of consumers and will make sure we have the capacity and capability to keep pace with emerging issues and risks that regulating a complex industry requires," he continued.

As part of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harm the Commission will continue to work alongside partners to ensure improvements in prevention and education, and treatment and support resources are developed. In 2020/21 the Commission will launch an Experts by Experience Board to ensure that the voice of consumers, particularly those who have experienced harm, fully informs decisions right at the heart of the Commission.  

As well as running the competition to appoint the next National Lottery licensee, the Commission will also support the Government’s planned review of the Gambling Act and are already working hard to take account of the findings in the recent National Audit Office Report into gambling regulation.

See the UKGC’s Business Plan for 2020/21 here.