Government will consider mandatory levy on gambling firms
Sports minister reveals DCMS is also considering credit card gambling ban
Newly appointed Sports Minister Mims Davies has said the government will enforce a mandatory problem gambling levy on firms if the current voluntary system fails to meet funding requirements.
Speaking at the GambleAware conference, Davies said she was pleased to see a “substantial increase” in the amount of industry donations to GambleAware this year, calling it “vital work to ensure support for those who experience harm.”
However she added that “The profits of gambling operators aren’t my prime concern. Ensuring problem gamblers have access to the right treatment is.”
Last month, GambleAware announced the development of a new NHS problem gambling hub in Leeds, which is targeted at expanding problem gambling treatment across the north of England.
One area that the department for culture media and sport is investigating is whether to ban the use of credit cards in gambling. Davies confirmed that the government is looking “in detail to understand the full situation and to consider if action in this space is needed.”
Stressing the need for the Gambling Commission to play a key role in enforcing a responsible gambling agenda, Davies urged the UKGC to continue to make strides to ensure a “strongly regulated and accountable” industry,
As part of this Davies called for an open conversation between operators, health groups and industry stakeholders to determine what responsible gambling is to better identify harmful player behaviours, stressing the need to “keep pace” in both regulation and player protection.
Sounding a call to action for the industry in this area, Davies added: “I expect industry to take action where they believe harm is taking place and I expect them to take steps to minimise it.”