May 14, 2018

The RGSB has published its annual assessment of how much progress has been made with delivering year two of the three year National Responsible Gambling Strategy.

The report summarises the progress that has been made in the delivery of the 12 Priority Actions in the Strategy, and identifies that more needs to be done to increase the pace of delivery over the next and final year.

Responding to the findings, Gambling Commission executive director, Tim Miller, said that the RGSB’s report reaffirmed the Commission’s view that there is still considerable work to be done to protect consumers from gambling related harm.

Although there has been progress towards delivering the National Responsible Gambling Strategy by the industry and others, Mr Miller said, it is now the final 12 months of the three-year plan, and the Commission remains concerned that many of the priority actions have not moved along as far as they should have.

Mr Miller said that the “challenge we all face is how to deliver a gambling market that provides consumer choice and enjoyment whilst also protecting against the risks gambling can create and its impact on wider society.”

However, this is not a challenge the Gambling Commission can address on its own. Many of the RGSB’s recommendations require the Commission, as industry regulator, to lead on delivery, and Mr Miller said that it will do more to speed up progress.

However, given the number of people affected by problem gambling in Great Britain “there needs to be a real concerted focus by everyone that has a part to play”, Mr Miller said. “We need continued strong partnerships with other regulators, consumer representatives and government. Most importantly, we need the industry to step up and work to raise standards and reduce the risk of harm.” To access the RGSB’s report, click here. To read the Commission’s press release in full, click here.