Today the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport published the outcome of its gambling review and pledged to reduce the maximum stake that can be made on a Fixed Odds Betting Terminal (FOBT) from £100 to between £50 and £2 in order to protect problem gamblers. The changes will be subject to a 12-week consultation across the industry and with the general public that will close on 23rd January 2018.
The gambling review addressed a number of other points related to the industry. Raising the standards of player protection for online gambling was an important theme, with the Gambling Commission set to consult on changes to License Conditions and Codes of practice next year and set out expectations around customer interaction online.
The review also initiates a responsible gambling campaign that will involve GambleAware, Advertising Association, broadcasters and gambling industry groups. These bodies will come together for a major two-year campaign that will have a budget of between £5 and £7 million and include TV adverts, including around live sport, as well as radio, cinema, online and print. The campaign will be funded by gambling operators, including online-only betting firms, with airspace and digital media provided by broadcasters. Alongside this, the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) will draw up new advertising guidelines to help protect those at risk of problem gambling, particularly children and young people, by ensuring that the content of gambling adverts does not encourage impulsive or socially irresponsible gambling.
This package of proposals addresses the problems that have stemmed from the Gambling Act 2005. I am happy that the addictive and socially damaging impacts of gambling are being addressed at the same time as striking the right balance with responsible growth and a thriving sector. I would encourage anyone with experience or opinions on these issues to engage with the consultation before it closes at the start of next year.