Asked by: Philip Davies (Conservative - Shipley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the Gambling Commission's adherence to the Regulators Code; and how many discussions have Ministers or officials in her Department had with the Gambling Commission on their requirements under the Regulators Code in each of the last three years.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
As the sponsoring department of the Gambling Commission, we engage regularly to discuss their performance in line with relevant Cabinet Office guidance.
It is the responsibility of regulators to ensure that the Regulators’ Code is reflected appropriately in their own policy and procedures. The Commission’s statement of principles for licensing and regulation outlines the general principles it will apply in exercising its functions under the Gambling Act 2005. These principles were formulated with a view to ensuring that the Commission regulates gambling in line with the Regulators’ Code in a supportive, straightforward, risk based, and transparent manner.
Asked by: Philip Davies (Conservative - Shipley)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had with (a) the gambling industry, (b) gambling campaigners and campaign groups and (c) users of gambling services in each of the last 3 years.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s ministers and officials meet regularly with a range of gambling stakeholders, including industry and charity representatives, to hear their views on the sector and discuss areas of concern. These meetings are continuing following the publication of the white paper following our Review of the Gambling Act 2005.
All ministerial meetings are published on GOV.UK and can be accessed on the website.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to support people with gambling addictions; and whether the review of the Gambling Act 2007 has taken place.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
We recognise that while millions of people gamble without experiencing problems, for some it becomes an addiction with serious consequences.
We recently published a white paper following our Review of the Gambling Act 2005. The paper introduces a range of proportionate measures to tackle practices and products which can drive harm and ensure that people who are at risk of gambling harm and addiction are protected. These include new player protection checks, a stake limit for online slots games, improvements to consumer redress and a statutory levy on operators to fund research, education and treatment.
We will work with the Gambling Commission and other stakeholders to bring these measures into force at the earliest possible opportunity, and where further consultations are necessary, our aim is to publish them as quickly as possible.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton South)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of gambling regulation to protect people from the risk of gambling addiction.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
We recognise that while millions of people gamble without experiencing problems, for some it becomes an addiction with serious consequences.
We recently published a white paper following our Review of the Gambling Act 2005. The paper introduces a range of proportionate measures to tackle practices and products which can drive harm and ensure that people who are at risk of gambling harm and addiction are protected. These include new player protection checks, a stake limit for online slots games, improvements to consumer redress and a statutory levy on operators to fund research, education and treatment.
We will work with the Gambling Commission and other stakeholders to bring these measures into force as quickly as possible, and where further consultations are necessary, our aim is to publish them by summer 2023.
Asked by: Stephen Crabb (Conservative - Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate her Department has made of the (a) size of the gambling black market and (b) annual cost to the Exchequer of Illegal betting.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government recognises the contribution that the betting and gaming industry makes to the economy. Estimates indicate that the sector accounted for £5.7 billion or 0.3% of UK Gross Value added (GVA) in 2019 and pays approximately £2 billion per year to the exchequer in gambling duties, excluding Lottery Duty.
The Government’s Review of the Gambling Act 2005 has been looking as part of its broad scope at the size of the black market and how easy illegal websites are to access, as well as whether the Gambling Commission has the powers and resources it needs. We will publish a white paper in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Stephen Crabb (Conservative - Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the contribution of the betting and gaming industry to the economy.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government recognises the contribution that the betting and gaming industry makes to the economy. Estimates indicate that the sector accounted for £5.7 billion or 0.3% of UK Gross Value added (GVA) in 2019 and pays approximately £2 billion per year to the exchequer in gambling duties, excluding Lottery Duty.
The Government’s Review of the Gambling Act 2005 has been looking as part of its broad scope at the size of the black market and how easy illegal websites are to access, as well as whether the Gambling Commission has the powers and resources it needs. We will publish a white paper in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Stephen Crabb (Conservative - Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she plans to publish the Gambling Act Review White Paper.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Our review of the Gambling Act 2005 is the most comprehensive review of gambling regulation since the 2005 Act came into force. We will publish a white paper setting out our conclusions and next steps in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, for what reason the Government has delayed the publication of the Gambling White Paper.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Our review of the Gambling Act 2005 is the most comprehensive review of gambling regulation since the 2005 Act came into force. We received over 16,000 responses during the call for evidence and are considering all the evidence carefully. We will publish a white paper setting out our conclusions and next steps in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of running trials on the use of cashless payments for the land-based gambling sector.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is reviewing the Gambling Act 2005 to make sure it is fit for the digital age. Secondary legislation (The Gaming Machine (Circumstances of Use) Regulations 2007) currently prohibits the direct use of debit cards for payment on gaming machines. However, cashless payments via digital apps, ticket in ticket out systems and debit card payments at cash desks are currently permitted in the land-based gambling sector. It is also possible to pay for chips at a casino gaming table by turning away from the table and completing a debit card transaction with a staff member.
We are considering issues around payment methods as part of our wide-ranging Review and will publish a White Paper setting out our conclusions and next steps in due course.
Asked by: Lord Smith of Hindhead (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to make it a mandatory requirement for affiliates who provide gambling tips to hold a licence.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
All gambling advertisements, wherever they appear, must be socially responsible and are subject to strict controls on content and placement to protect children and vulnerable people from harm. As a licence condition, gambling operators must comply with the restrictions set out in the Advertising Codes, which are set by the Committee of Advertising Practice and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice, and administered by the Advertising Standards Authority. Operators are liable to enforcement action from the Gambling Commission if affiliates which they pay to carry out marketing activities do not comply with the rules.
The Government’s review of the Gambling Act 2005 is considering a wide range of issues relating to gambling advertising and marketing as part of its broad scope; the forthcoming White Paper will set out our conclusions and next steps.