Gambling

Question

Protecting vulnerable people from gambling-related harm is a priority for the Government and where there is evidence that a particular product or environment is causing harm, we will take action. The government Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility in May sought to ensure the right balance between socially responsible growth of industry, and the protection of the most vulnerable, including children, from gambling-related harm. We have committed to reduce the maximum stake on B2 machines from £100 to £2 and the Gambling Commission will work with industry to improve player control measures on these and other category B gaming machines.

The Gambling Commission regularly reviews its regulatory requirements to take account of developments in technology and in the market and in response to emerging risks and issues. It recently concluded a review of the online gambling sector, which identified a number of key areas where it plans to consult on enhancing protections. It also identified areas for further work, including reviewing game and product characteristics to identify whether particular features pose greater risk of harm than others. It intends to conduct further research into the relationship between in-game features and the potential to incentivise negative gambling behaviour.