The Gambling Commission has defended its focus on consumer protection amid concerns that the shift in focus under CEO Sarah Harrison is a case of ‘regulatory creep’.
The comments came as part of the consultation process into the Commission’s enforcement strategy published today which revealed a new enforcement strategy which will be used to tackle operators who breach gambling regulations.
Citing how a fast changing gambling industry requires everyone to stay alert to changing consumer experiences, including new risks to the detriment of consumers, the Commission added: “Placing a greater emphasis on consumer interest ensures that both operators and regulator recognise and respond to these changing circumstances, whilst remaining consistent with the licensing objectives.
“It represents a far less radical approach than some respondents seem to suggest but we acknowledge that we could have been clearer in communicating how our approach relates back to the licensing objectives.”
The Commission said that its licensing objectives have a clear focus on the consumer and wider public interest embedded within them and the changes were consistent with its longstanding obligations under the licensing objectives.
The key changes of the new enforcement strategy include:
- Changes to the Commission’s statement on financial penalties including introducing higher penalties for breaches, particularly where it sees systemic and repeated failings
- Putting all regulatory tools, including licence review (both of the operator and personal management licences), on an equal footing by removing the current bias in favour of settlement (1)
- Using time-limited discounts to create better incentives for early settlement.
Sarah Harrison added: “We will use the full range of enforcement powers to ensure operators put customers first and raise standards. The industry can be assured that we will use our powers in a targeted way, and consumers and the public can be assured we will take robust and effective action when gambling companies don’t meet their obligations.”
Source: SBC News
