In a statement released on Monday , the United Kingdom’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) expressed its support for the UK Government’s plan towards economic recovery. Nevertheless, while “well-meaning”, it warned Ministers to be “naive” when introducing changes to regulations, which could lead to a smaller (regulated) industry.
The long-awaited government proposals effectively overhauling gambling laws are expected to be published in May. The department for digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS) first launched a review of gambling laws in December 2020 to tackle concerns over addiction and minors’ exposure to advertising.
BGC Chief Executive Officer, Michael Dugher stressed that it is “vital” that industry’s contribution to sports, local communities, jobs and tax revenues is not at risk in the Gambling White paper.
Dugher added:
“The growth of the unsafe, unregulated black market in online gambling is part of a global trend and it’s foolish to think that there’s an enforcement solution to this.
The DCMS simply throwing more money and a few extra powers at the Gambling Commission won’t fix this for the Government.”
According to Dugher, too strict regulations will push gamblers into the arms of unlicensed operators and that would not be good for anyone:
“You have to protect the competitiveness of consumer products and avoid the kinds of intrusive restrictions that drive players to the black market.
Anti-gambling campaigners may want to see a smaller regulated industry, but that would be bad news for the economy and the Exchequer.”
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Source: Igaming
