The cross-party legislative group on gambling-related issues today stated that the National Audit Office’s report on the Gambling Commission verifies the regulator’s inability to adequately perform its duties.
The report, published today, highlights significant shortcomings in the Commission’s consumer protection plan. The document indicates the Commission lacks focus and struggles to assess its effectiveness.
The NAO also asserted that the regulator lacks sufficient data to make informed decisions and is too sluggish in responding to shifts in the gambling sector.
“This is a substantial matter, originating from the government’s own auditing body,” stated the APPG, which has long maintained that the regulator is failing to fulfill its responsibilities.
“Individuals employed by the Gambling Commission should be held accountable for this lapse, and the [regulator] must take swift action to enhance the industry, particularly in the online realm.”
A collective of lawmakers is presently advocating for a comprehensive revamp of UK rules to safeguard customers from the negative effects of gambling. They assert that the National Audit Office report underscores the pressing need for such modifications.
The bipartisan parliamentary group emphasized that the National Audit Office report determined that the Commission is “unlikely to be fully effective in overseeing a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry” under the existing framework, which is deemed unacceptable.
“We cannot afford to delay the implementation of new gambling laws. The government must take immediate action to introduce legislation to ensure that the expanding gambling market is adequately regulated, consumers are shielded, and an ombudsman is appointed.
“Failure to do so would constitute a neglect of duty by the government.”
Conversely, the Gambling Commission expressed approval of the National Audit Office report. It maintained that the document acknowledged the regulator’s efforts to enhance gambling safety and highlighted the substantial obstacles it encounters in achieving this goal, along with the constraints of current funding arrangements.
To address this situation, the Commission stated that it is formulating proposals to engage in discussions with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which oversees UK gambling policy, regarding modifications to the funding model.
“We have made strides in promoting safer gambling practices, but further action is required,” a Commission representative informed iGamingBusiness.com.
In addition to bolstering enforcement and adherence initiatives, we’ve fortified protections in the last two years, encompassing online age and identity confirmation, customer interactions, and most recently, we’ve prohibited the use of credit cards for wagering.
“We need to witness a decrease in the number of individuals experiencing harm, and we’re currently urging the industry to concentrate on problematic VIP practices, advertising technology, and game design.”
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