February 25, 2019

The Gambling Commission is inviting members of the public, gambling businesses and other stakeholders to provide their views on two key issues as part of its work to prevent gambling-related harms:

1. gambling online with credit cards; and separately
2. improving player control measures on all Category B gaming machines.

Last year, the Commission backed the principle that consumers should not gamble with money they do not have. Now it says it is seeking “meaningful input” to help determine if restrictions, potentially including an outright ban, are necessary to limit risks to consumers.

As for Category B gaming machines, the Commission wants gambling businesses to outline how they will meet the challenges set out in the Government’s Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures (published last year) over the protections for players using Category B gaming machines.

In April 2019, the maximum stake on Category B2 gaming machines (Fixed Odds Betting Terminals) will be reduced from £100 to £2. Category B1 machines in casinos and Category B3 machines sited in arcades, bingo halls and betting shops offer maximum stakes of £5 and £2 respectively, but at up to eight times the speed of play of B2 games.

The Commission says that data indicate that the risks associated with Category B1 and B3 machines are broadly similar to the risks with B2 machines at a £100 maximum stake. Therefore, the Commission wants to explore player protection options further. Those options include tracking play, using time and monetary limits and alerts, and communicating messages about gambling safely. The Commission also said it wants to hear about industry efforts to evaluate harm prevention measures.

Both consultations are open until 16 May 2019. To access the consultations, click here.