The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) once again reminded that the ongoing National Responsible Gambling Strategy is to come to an end in March 2019. This is why the gambling regulatory body has started developing a new national strategy aimed at reducing gambling-related harm in order to ensure better protection for local players.
The UKGC explained that its business plan remains committed to the new strategy development and remains aimed at driving and encouraging process within its area of operation. The watchdog, however, reminded that it is only one of the bodies which have a key role in the process of reducing gambling harm, and promised that it is to work in collaboration with the UK Government, as well as with the charitable and the public health sectors, and with the gambling industry.
Customer protection from possible negative consequences of gambling has always been one of the top priorities of the UK Gambling Commission. This is why the major gambling regulator in the UK further shared a wish of making as many people and organisations as possible proactive and participate in the design-making process of the National Responsible Gambling Strategy and in the arrangements which are necessary in order to deliver that strategy.
Neil McArthur, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission addresses GambleAware’s annual conference. #gambleaware18 @GamRegGB pic.twitter.com/CovxLD1eEC
— BeGambleAware (@BeGambleAware) December 5, 2018
The UKGC said that it seeks the views of the wider public on all five proposed priority areas for action over the strategy’s life-span. The consultation can easily be accessed on the Commission’s website.
Consultation Opened until February 15th, 2019
The Commission has also rolled out a formal consultation under Section 24 of the Gambling Act 2005, regarding the proposed amendments to the Licence conditions and codes of practice (LCCP) requirement for gambling operators to make contributions to gambling-related harm research, treatment and prevention.
The key UK gambling regulator further shared that an LCCP amendment is proposed in order to make it clear that above-mentioned gambling businesses’ contributions are made to one or more charitable organisations that have previously been approved by the UKGC. As mentioned above, the Commission is seeking the wider public’s views on the five proposed priority areas of the new National Responsible Gambling Strategy, so a formal consultation was officially opened under Section 24 of the Gambling Act 2005 on December 4th.
Everyone who wants to give the Commission their views on the matter could become part of the consultation, which closes on February 15th, 2019.
People are able to access the online survey through the UKGC website. In the process of stating their opinion, they will have to answer to a bunch of questions related to the existing National Responsible Gambling Strategy and to the five priority areas of the new strategy, including research to inform action, prevention, treatment, evaluation and gambling businesses.
- Author
Daniel Williams
