New Structures and New Insights in UK Gambling Regulation

On Friday, 19th September, it was announced by the UKGC that the organisation tasked with looking after the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms will cease operations, and a new group will be instated with a goal “to focus on new arrangements better aligned to the next phase of research and regulation.”

This strategy was previously launched in 2019 with the aim of tackling gambling-related issues before the release of the Gambling Act Review white paper. With it came a series of changes to the way in which responsible gambling is handled.

“ABSG has played an important role in shaping how we think about gambling harms, and embedding lived experience perspectives into regulation. I want to thank all current and former members for their contribution and commitment,” said Gambling Commission CEO, Andrew Rhodes.

He continued, “As we move into a new phase with the implementation of research programmes funded by the statutory levy, our priority is to ensure we have the right expert input to help inform our work. This is the right time to close ABSG and establish new arrangements that reflect the future needs of our gambling regulation and research.”

Now the Commission will start to set up foundations for a new research-focused group to aid in new plans, which are financed by statutory levy funding.

This levy (a GGF new tax) was introduced to back research, education, and help recovery programmes. The levy was conceived during the white paper’s reforms and is starting to be put into action.

There are rumblings that the new levy has started to disrupt existing research, education, and help programmes due to the rising pressure from outside organisations.

Head of Governance at UKGC, Helen Child, commented, “ABSG have made a huge contribution to gambling regulation and the Commission. I am grateful for the insight, engagement and challenge each and every member has provided.”

It is unclear what the new structures will look like in terms of gambling regulation, but things will become clearer with time, once the new implementations are in place.