Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Regulation of BetIndex Limited, published on 13 September, what steps they are taking, beyond additional funding, to ensure that the Gambling Commission is better able to monitor and intervene in the case of novel gambling products.

The Gambling Commission has already taken steps to address issues identified in the independent reviewer’s report, including updating its frameworks for risk-based regulation so that novel products are placed under greater scrutiny and commencing a review of all remote licensees to check for issues relating to boundary-pushing products. The Commission and the Financial Conduct Authority have also strengthened their Memorandum of Understanding, including new escalation routes so that regulatory impasses are identified and overcome quickly.

As set out in the terms of reference, the independent review into the regulation of BetIndex was intended to inform our ongoing Review of the Gambling Act 2005. This is looking closely at a range of issues, including the Gambling Commission’s powers and how it uses them, as well as the potential risks posed to consumers by new and emerging technologies. We are considering its findings and recommendations carefully, and aim to publish a white paper setting out any conclusions in due course.