The white paper, released in April, presented the most transformative review of gambling in the UK since the Gambling Act was passed in 2005. It pledged to reform player protection measures in the UK. The speech was made at GambleAware’s annual conference on 4 December.
Baroness Twycross’ speech laid out several areas of focus within these reforms which the department for culture, media and sports will champion. The baroness outlined plans to adjust slot game designs to reduce play intensity and promised to investigate the “increasing prevalence of ‘white label’ operators sponsoring football teams in the UK”.
Adapting slot gameplay to reduce player risks
In addressing online gameplay, she said slots stake limits, announced in November, would slow any rate of loss for consumers.
Twycross highlighted the need to adjust game design by slowing down the speed of play and banning autoplay features. According to her, these efforts will help lower the risk of online slots players developing problematic behaviours.
“These measures reduce play intensity and are intended to provide customers with a better understanding of their gambling,” Baroness Twycross said.
“Safer game design is just one aspect of the significant programme of reform being delivered by the Gambling Commission.”
White label football sponsorships being investigated
Elsewhere, Twycross touched on the growing reports around white label operators sponsoring football teams in the UK, noting that an investigation into the matter was being carried out alongside the Gambling Commission.
This, she said, was to gather further evidence of their prevalence and impact.
“If further action is needed, we will take it,” she warned.
This relates to Curaçao-licensed operator BC Game being ruled bankrupt in November by Curaçao’s Court of First Instance. BC Game is a shirt sponsor of Premier League team Leicester City and the company’s deal has come into question in various national media reports.
Supporting industry growth
Working with the industry is a priority, the minister said. Her speech sought to address sector concerns over increased enforcement, particularly within online casino.
She said her department would “work with the industry to ensure that any regulatory interventions are proportionate”.
“As we bring forward world-leading harm prevention reforms, we will be led by the evidence. I will work with industry to ensure that any regulatory interventions are proportionate and we will support a responsible industry,” she told event attendees.
“I am very aware of the relatively modest changes being asked for by the casino sector. I support the measures outlined in the white paper and will provide an update as soon as possible on their progress.”
Unregulated lotteries must enhance player protection
The lottery sector has been calling for free prize draws, many of which offer multi-million-pound prizes, to be regulated and licensed alongside charity lotteries.
Tony Vick, chairman of the UK’s Lotteries Council, wrote an opinion piece on the matter for iGB in November. In it he insisted it was unfair for free draws to evade regulations. Notably they are not required to submit 20% of draw proceeds to charity, as licensees are.
On this, the Twycross said players of these draws should be confident that proportionate protection measures are in place. She called on the sector to do more to protect consumers.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/regulation/baroness-twycross-commits-to-white-paper-reforms/
