UKGC unveils new roadmap for ‘fairer and safer gambling’

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced a new strategy designed to “shape a well-regulated gambling market that works for consumers”.

Published on its website, the UKGC said the five-step strategy will be of interest to consumers, gambling businesses and others with links to the industry.

The plan sets out the UKGC’s commitment to protect the interests of consumers; prevent harm to consumers and the public; raise standards within the gambling market; optimise returns to good causes from lotteries; and improve the way it taps into consumer and public issues to inform action.

Citing recent research, the UKGC said 63% of people in the UK gambled at some point in the last year and as a regulatory body, the organisation must “balance consumer choice and enjoyment against the risks and impact gambling can have for individuals and wider society”.

UKGC chair Bill Moyes added: “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.

“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.”

The move comes as the UK government begins a 12-week consultation into the current state of gambling in the country.

The government intends to look at issues surrounding how to protect vulnerable people and children by changing current laws and regulations regarding online gaming and advertising.

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