The Government is reviewing the Gambling Act 2005 to ensure the regulatory framework can protect children and vulnerable people, prevent gambling related crime, and keep gambling fair and open in the digital age. Through this Review, the Government’s objectives are to:

• examine whether changes are needed to the system of gambling regulation in Great Britain to reflect changes to the gambling landscape since 2005, particularly due to technological advances;
• ensure there is an appropriate balance between consumer freedoms and choice on the one hand, and prevention of harm to vulnerable groups and wider communities on the other; and
• make sure customers are suitably protected whenever and wherever they are gambling, and that there is an equitable approach to the regulation of the online and the land based industries.

To deliver these objectives, the Review will have particular regard to:

• the protection of online gamblers, including rules to minimise the risks associated with online products themselves, and the use of technology to support harm prevention;
• the positive and negative impacts of the advertising and marketing of gambling products and brands;
• the effectiveness of the UK regulatory system, including the Gambling Commission’s powers and resources to regulate and keep pace with the licensed market and tackle unlicensed operators, and funding flows from the industry to the regulator;
• the availability and suitability of redress arrangements for individual customers who feel they have been treated unfairly by gambling operators;
• children’s access to Category D slot machines, the effectiveness of age controls, protections for young adults, and the age limit for society lotteries (currently available to 16 and 17 year olds); and
• the outcome of changes to the land based sector introduced in the Gambling Act 2005, particularly for casinos, and whether they are still appropriate in a digital age.

In considering these issues, the Government says that it will pay particular attention to children, young people, young adults, and others who may be particularly vulnerable to the risks posed by gambling.

After the initial 16-week call for evidence, the Government will assess the evidence presented, alongside other data, with the aim of setting out conclusions and any proposals for reform in a white paper in 2021. The Call for Evidence closes on 31 March 2021. To access the review pages and for further details on the Call for Evidence, click here.