Gambling Commission reviewing point of consumption licensing

The point of consumption licensing introduced in 2014 is being reviewed by the Gambling Commission to check its effectiveness.

Speaking to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Betting and Gaming at Westminster on Wednesday, the regulator’s CEO Sarah Harrison revealed that the Commission is looking again at the general framework to see how it is functioning and whether any improvements can be made.

Harrison, who took over the top role at the Commission last year, described the review as timely. “We see now as the right moment to reflect on the PoC regime and consider how well that is working,” she told the audience.

The online gambling sector is the subject of a number of enquiries and investigations at present including the government’s triennial review into stakes and prizes – which is also incorporating a review into advertisements on TV –  and the CMA enquiry into the terms and conditions that surround bonuses and free bets.

Harrison said the results of the CMA enquiry would inform the Commission’s own review. “Any output from that process will be drawn into our overall review,” she said.

She also emphasised her message to the gambling sector to keep focused on the wants of the consumer. “We would encourage the industry not to be afraid to experiment,” she continued. “Innovation by its nature is about succeeding but it is also about failing. We really want to see operators thinking creatively about different ways of engaging with their customers and thinking differently about what interventions are appropriate.”


Source: SBC News