UK Gambling Reform Delayed Until May Due to Deepening Crisis Within Ruling Tory Party

By John Isaac,
Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac is an editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He writes expert articles on card games like blackjack and poker. In addition, he is also well aware of the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets. You can rely on verified information and insightful details.

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Last updated: February 16, 2022

The UK gambling industry is preparing to introduce a betting reform bill that could have an enormous influence on future growth. However, according to the government’s sources, it still has some time to sit on the bench.

The source claims that a white paper that could summarize a large-scale tightening of regulatory controls has been delayed till at least May. It was originally scheduled to launch at the end of 2021 but has been delayed due to the appointment of the new betting minister, Chris Philp. Interestingly, business observers expected this to happen.

Actions to be discussed include a total ban on sports promotion and a “financial assessment” for players who lose a specific amount over a certain period of time. Operator loyalty strategies were also studied, including “free bets” and bonuses.

Delay Leads to More Gambling-Harm, Says Harris

Britain’s ruling Conservative Party had pledged to revise Tony Blair’s UK betting law (2005) as part of its platform for re-election, saying it was no longer relevant to the current era.

The law liberalized sports betting and introduced one of the best liberal regulatory structures worldwide. The subsequent growth of online gambling technology, largely developed under the Liberal government in the UK, has led to overall concern about the issues of betting and the social costs associated with it.

Now, Labor Member of Parliament Caroline Harris fears PM Boris Johnson’s menacing stance could further delay progress.

“Every day of delay leads to further gambling-related harm while the industry rakes in profits. The government must not let its own internal problems stand in the way of much-needed reforms for this country – it is time for action,” – stated Harris.

More About the UK Government’s Scandal

Johnson’s ability to hold on to power is waning. His government was shocked by disclosures of unlawful parties that took place at 10 Downing Street during the Prime Minister’s speech in London in May and December 2020. The United Kingdom was under heavy lockdown at the time to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In response to the scandal a few days ago, four senior members of the prime minister’s staff have quit their job, and his own party members had called them to step down. In 2020, The Guardian said that PM has a growing desire for radical reform in the betting industry and is personally very interested in the upcoming review.

According to Matt Zarb-Cousin, an ex-advisor to Jeremy Corbyn, a review needs to be made before more users are disturbed by misregulation. The government’s amendment to betting laws has sparked a wave of lobbying.

Reform activists, backed by poker and casino industry veteran Derek Webb, have unearthed stories of addiction and abuse by main business operators. However, changes in the gambling law are nothing new in the country. In fact, in the last few years, the gambling industry in the UK has faced several revisions. The aim is to protect children and people vulnerable to gambling addiction.