The much-anticipated final report on gambling reform has been pushed back to May. The Labor Party blamed the delay on the turmoil in the Tory party. As it was the date was pushed back from the end of 2021.
The department for digital, culture, media and sport launched a review of 2005 Gambling Act in December 2020, as rising concern over addiction and children’s exposure to advertisement and football sponsorship rose. The initial delay followed the appointment of John Whittingdale to replace gambling minister Chris Philp, according to The Guardian.
Carolyn Harris, who chairs a cross-party group of MPs examining gambling-related harm, said the uncertainty surrounding the future of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, could disrupt the results.
“Of course, time must be taken to gather the evidence to ensure the right reforms are put in place, but the gambling review was announced over two years ago,” the Labor MP said. “Every day of delay leads to further gambling-related harm while the industry rakes in profits. The government must not let its own internal problems stand in the way of much needed reforms.”
Liz Ritchie co-founded the charity Gambling With Lives with husband Charles after the suicide of their son Jack, who had become addicted to gambling while at school. “Someone takes their life every day in the U.K. because of gambling, so we simply cannot wait until May to see this white paper,” she said.
Ministers and officials at DCMS work with the U.K. Gambling Commission on potential reforms. But the regulator lacks resources, according to reports by the Public Accounts Committee and the National Audit Office. At the same time, the Commission oversees. the decision on which company will win the next 10-year license to operate the National Lottery. A decision could come this month.
