Historic iGaming Review Underway in the UK
Published December 11, 2020 by Lee R
The vulnerabilities of the UK population in iGaming's largest market are being addressed with new solutions.
Sports sponsorship bans heads a list of UK restrictions set to revamp the Gambling Act of 2005 in a review this week.
Major Revamp
The sweeping review is currently considering proactive reforms to the rules governing iGaming in the world's largest market to date.
Measures Under Consideration
In addition to the ban on sports sponsorship, further new measures under review include limits on online stakes; new powers to tackle the lingering grey market; tight affordability checks, and a specialised testing regime for new gaming and betting products.
Vulnerable Population
For the last couple of years, a preponderance of data has emerged illustrating clinical vulnerabilties in UK players, with the youth demographic being the most vulnerable.
Aggressive Marketing
Further controversy has emerged regarding the expanding use of sports sponsorships--including the now almost ubiquitours practice of featuring sportsbetting products on Premier League football jerseys and pitches.
Polarizing MPs
The well-publicised nationwide concerns over problem gambling and overaggressive marketing polarised over 40 MPs and peers earlier this year to back stricter controls on gambling advertising.
Slots and Casino Adaptations
A key area to be reviewed is the iGaming verticals of online casino and electronic slot machine games, where maximum stakes and monthly loss limits are likely to be adapted as protective preventative measures.
New Overseer
The specialised testing process for new markets would be overseen by rigorous review from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
BGC Concerns
Trade group Betting and Gaming Council warned that stricter regulations could increase the disregard for player safety on the part of overeager operators. Their argument seems to be that if the rules are harder to follow, operators will be less inclined to remain compliant. While this is certainly a challenge that needs to be addressed directly, it appears that DCMS has already anticipated the potential friction and prepared a solution, securing additional financial resources to support the industry in adapting technology and guidelines as necessary.
Outlook
The review is already underway, and these comprehensive adaptations that are being considered are sure to hep operators as well as regulators, and should not be cause of any concern to iGaming stakeholders, but a welcome relief that will streamline operations for all.
