JUE 28 DE MARZO DE 2024 - 16:48hs.
Gambling Commission

UK reveals new strategy to ensure safer gaming market

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has laid out a three-year plan to help shape a well-regulated gaming market, improving consumer protection standards and strengthening regulatory controls. “This is an ambitious strategy to deliver fairer and safer gambling over the next three years,” said Bill Moyes, UKGC director.

The five-point strategy comes as the regulator believes more work is required in terms of user protection in an industry that has developed into a mainstream leisure activity in the UK, with 63% of people gaming in 2016, according to official data.

"The risks are changing and evolving and the industry needs to move farther and faster to address them. A well-regulated gambling market, one in which consumers can have confidence can also contribute to sustainable business and growth over the longer term,” stated the UKGC.

The first of the five priority points seeks to ensure that customer’s interests are protected, with operators expected to adhere to the new framework. Tough sanctions are due to imposed to operators, including lotteries, who fail to adhere to these points. Next, the plan looks at preventing harm to consumers and the public, by providing more information about gaming and its risks, highlighting the importance of responsible gaming.

The UKGC has also set out its expectation for more effective and independent arrangements to be put in place, regarding consumer complaints and disputes, therefore raising the overall standard within the gambling market. The final two points look at optimising returns to good cause from lotteries and improving the way the Commission regulates.

"This is an ambitious strategy to deliver fairer and safer gambling over the next three years. We can only be successful in this by engaging with consumers and by working closely with all our regulatory partners and the industry”, said Bill Moyes, Gambling Commission Chair.

"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,” Moyes added.

Source: GMB / Innovate Gaming