Asked by: Lord Smith of Hindhead (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to complete and then publish the review of gaming machines and social responsibility measures.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
The review of gaming machines and social responsibility measures began with a 6 week call for evidence on 24 October, closing on 4 December. The call for evidence generated a lot of interest from the general public, as well as from a variety of interest groups, local authorities, trade bodies and industry. We are now looking in depth at the evidence and aim to publish our findings and any proposals in spring 2017.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Hindhead (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in setting a date for the Triennial Review of gaming machine stakes and prizes.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
As previously stated in the House of Commons, Government is reviewing the situation and we hope to announce details of a review in due course.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Hindhead (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the current annual arrangements for setting the Horseracing Betting Levy will continue under the proposed new funding arrangements, or will be extended beyond twelve months.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
Currently the levy rate is agreed each year by the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
Under the new model the level of contribution from betting to racing will be set by Government. We will take into account various findings when considering the rate and its duration, including the independent economic analysis that we commissioned last year. We will hold discussions with both industries before reaching decisions on these issues.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Hindhead (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government who will select members of the proposed Racing Authority, and what the selection criteria will be for the appointees.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
Under the replacement for the current Horserace Betting Levy a racing authority will be responsible for making decisions on spend in line with the overall purposes of the scheme. This body will be referred to in legislation but it will not be a statutory body. It will be for the racing industry to determine its governance arrangements.