Gambling regulation: problem gambling and protecting vulnerable people

Willing2Learn

Source: National Audit Office

The Gambling Commission and government need to do more to ensure that regulation can protect gamblers effectively, according to a new NAO report. 

There are an estimated 1.8 million ‘at risk’ gamblers and 395,000 ‘problem’ gamblers – including 55,000 children, some of whom are as young as 11 

Gambling addiction can lead to mental health problems, relationship difficulties, large-scale financial loss and, in some cases, crime or suicide. 

The NAO’s report looks at regulation of an industry which now yields over £11.3 billion for gambling operators every year. The Gambling Commission, which regulates the industry, has annual funding of £19 million and almost all of it comes from licence fees paid by gambling operators. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) is the government department with overall responsibility for gambling policy and regulation.

The report concludes that while the Commission has improved regulation, there is much more it should do. It has increased enforcement against gambling operators that break rules, for example by revoking licences, and has also strengthened its rule book. But it needs to do more to incentivise operators to raise standards and be more systematic and detailed in recording and analysing information about gamblers to plug gaps in its knowledge. 

John_

I think that there should be a government scheme whereby once someone requests it they are excluded from gambling for life, from all facilities that are regulated in the UK. That’s it, one shot, game over. Maybe a gambling licence could be required for gambling, and once it is revoked it’s gone forever.

Retireby40

The easiest solution would be that you require an identity card that needs swiped in every betting shop in the uk. If you want to do a bet you hand the money and the card over along with the bet. No card no bet or if you have had yourself self excluded it's easy to put that on the card.

It's hard for staff to control especially on busy days and as people can change appearance. 

The government gets too much money from problem gamblers to ever act like suggested above. 

Retireby40

Also a ban on all virtual racing would be another step as it isnt there for your everyday punter. Just your problem gambler.

db2016

all well meaning, but ID cards and licences to bet?

will NEVER happen. too much admin!

Retireby40

I never said it would happen. I said it would be the easiest way to control who is betting and if problem gamblers require some I'd it makes it difficult.

Gambling generates too much money for the government and in advertising for it to ever be stopped or even reduced. Society and the people at the top would rather ruin lives than take a hit in the pocket.

Its crazy though how some things around gambling are allowed and the rational behind them are just accepted.

It will be the biggest killer in young men over the next 20-30 years if it isnt already. More people commit suicide through gambling than any other addiction and the services available just arent enough.