NEWS
22 April 2020
APBGG to review UK Gambling Act in bid to keep laws fair and relevant
By Iqbal Johal

The review is motivated by the Conservative Party’s 2019 General Election manifesto statement, which said the act is increasingly becoming an analogue law in a digital age.

As a result, the APBGG will consider what future changes could be needed to keep the law relevant to today, bearing in mind the technological and social changes which have taken place since 2005.

However, the APBGG is also keen to ensure any Government review of the Gambling Act is evidence-based rather than politically motivated.

The group will take written evidence from all interested stakeholders and hold meetings with industry experts, in the form of webinars. The first of these will take place next month, with the final report to be published in winter.

Philip Davies MP, Co-Chair of the Parliamentary All Party Betting & Gaming Group, said: "We want to listen to the legitimate concerns people have of the gambling industry as well as ensure the industry gets a fair hearing as well.

"I am determined that we listen to a wide range of views and make evidence-based recommendations which will ensure we enhance our global reputation as having the best regulated gambling industry in the world."

The announcement comes a day after the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) wrote to five major operators and the Betting and Gaming Council, requesting regular updates on player gambling behaviour during the lockdown period.