The Gambling Related Harm All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has begun an inquiry of the U.K.’s recently released Gambling Act white paper that recommended new regulations of the gaming sector.
iGB reports that the purpose of the inquiry is to assess the proposed measures in the white paper and to follow up to make sure the government acts on these proposals. One such proposal is to expand the powers of the U.K. Gambling Commission to enforce regulations.
APPG plans to take oral evidence from interested parties and take written submissions in July. It will seek input on what should be the optimal stake limits for online slot machines and how game design should be modified to prevent harm and to include opt out deposit limits.
A statement from the parliamentary group said, “The APPG will also continue to scrutinize further areas of potential harm. These include those not included within the remit of the white paper such as the operation of the National Lottery and the emergence of new forms of gambling.”
This is the first comprehensive review of gambling in the U.K. since 2005.
It also proposes affordability checks that would be triggered if players lose £1,000 within 24 hours, or £2,000 over 90 days.
A controversial proposal is a mandatory statutory levy that would fund research, education and treatment for gambling harms.
Once the group takes these actions, it plans to disband for the foreseeable future.
