A New Business Plan by the UK Gambling Commission Focuses Predominantly On Consumer Protection

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has introduced a new set of plans for 2019-2020 to continue with the efforts to educate people and point out the less attractive aspects of the industry. As for the major focuses in the following period…

…the protection rules will become stricter, as to avoid excessive exposure to overly aggressive campaigns. In addition, such regulatory measures will undergo significant changes as well, and the standard will be increased. Altogether this should lead to minimizing potential problems, which are inevitable in an industry like this.

Setting the Priorities

As far as the UKGC pointed out, the most significant strategic priorities will be protecting the interests of consumers, as well as reducing and preventing gambling harm both to players and the public. Besides this, the plan also includes standards betterment in the gambling market. Furthermore…

…one of the key segments will also be improving their own ways and means of regulation. This aspect is undoubtedly one of the pillars of the business plan. Supported by the Commission, The Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) also puts much effort into making people realize the seriousness of the addiction. Moreover, they point out that certain issues are so severe that they require clinical treatment.

Stricter ID Verifications, Less Advertising

There’s been lots of criticism involving an inappropriate commercial which encourages gambling. That’s why multiple regulatory bodies in jurisdictions worldwide stress the importance of moderate advertising, less invasive promotions. The operators or developers which…

…breach these rules receive penalties, which can also result in a loss of license. In order to protect minors, they have plans to implement new rules regarding ID verification. Among all, this should minimize the possibility of minors getting involved in this form of entertainment. With communities globally becoming more and more aware of all the harms, it’s no surprise that numerous organizations join forces to be even more effective in dealing with problems.

Keep Up With Hard Work

Some goals have already been achieved and targets completed, but having in mind that the industry itself changes rapidly, there’s still a long way to go. That’s how Neil McArthur, chief executive of the Gambling Commission commented on the up-to-date progress, adding that:

“This business plan highlights the projects and milestones we will complete during 2019–2020 as we move into the second year of our Strategy 2018–2021. Our overriding objective is to make gambling fairer and safer for consumers, in what is a constantly developing market. I am proud of the progress we have made with our ambitious strategy. But I am also clear that there is much more to do.”

Source:

“UKGC Publishes New Business Plan”, Niji Narayan, europeangaming.eu, April 18, 2019.