Gambling Commission pledges “tougher sanctions” with new strategy
Regulator aims to deliver “fairer and safer gambling” with new three-year plan
The Gambling Commission has launched a new three-year strategy designed to deliver “fairer and safer gambling”.
The regulator announced the strategy at the Citizens Advice annual conference in Manchester, saying it would focus on five priority areas over the next three years.
Tim Miller, Executive Director – "We will only reduce harm from gambling by working together. I'm delighted to able to build our partnership with @CitizensAdvice by launching our new strategy here today" #wearecitizensadvice pic.twitter.com/8RY8WMVAg2
— Gambling Commission (@GamRegGB) November 14, 2017
Top of the list of priorities was protecting the interests of consumers, with the Commission warning: “There will be tougher and broader sanctions on operators (including lotteries) who fail to treat customers fairly and make gambling safe.”
The Commission has already handed out multi-million pound fines to Ladbrokes Coral and 888 for social responsibility failings this year.
The other four priorities listed included preventing harm to consumers, raising standards in the gambling market, optimising returns to good causes from lotteries and improving the way the Commission regulates.
“Gambling is a mainstream leisure activity with 63% of people having gambled in the last year, but the Commission needs to balance consumer choice and enjoyment against the risks and impact gambling can have for individuals and wider society,” the regulator said.
Gambling Commission Chair Bill Moyes added: “We can only be successful in this by engaging with consumers and by working closely with all our regulatory partners and the industry.
“In the same way that this strategy challenges the industry, we also challenge ourselves – as the regulator – to deliver effective, targeted and innovative regulation.
“At the end of three years we expect to see an industry that strives continuously to raise their standards, treat customers fairly, and protect vulnerable people.”
The full Gambling Strategy 2018-2021 can be read here, while Gambling Commission executive director Sarah Gardner details the five priorities in more detail below.