White Paper Publication Is Not the End of Discussions About Gambling, Says Paul Scully

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: December 31, 2022

The White Paper’s publication of gambling reform will not put an end to talks about gambling and its effects on society, according to Paul Scully, the Gambling Minister. Speaking at the 10th annual conference of GambleAware (which happened earlier this month), Scully acknowledged frustrations over the White Paper’s ongoing delay.

Scully stated, “I am aware that you’ve seen a few different faces in the role of gambling minister in the last six months. It’s a difficult brief, but one I’ve enjoyed delving into. I anticipate the very important work we will be doing”. Scully is the fifth minister appointed to oversee the review of the gambling act in the UK.

Scully Reassures That the DCMS Leads on All Areas of Gambling Regulation and Policy

The Gambling Review continues to uphold its 2019 manifesto pledge of ensuring that UK gambling is suitable for the digital age, despite disruptive changes to the government. According to Scully, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) leads in all areas of gambling regulation and policy.

Paul Scully stated that the country is in a good position because the majority of gambling is carried out in the licensed sector, which demands that operators abide by the rules of the Gambling Commission to maintain their licenses. He continued by saying that they must be continually alert within that licensed sector to ensure that the right safety nets and protections are in place and functioning properly.

Though, Scully echoed Prime Minster Rishi Sunak’s worries that today’s gambling landscape is very different from how it was in 2005, in which protections and regulations must adapt to the digital environments of consumers, where gambling interactions are just a click away.

DCMS Believes Harms Caused by Gambling Will Be Prevented by the Review of the Gambling Act

Regarding gambling policy, the DCMS acknowledges the significance of the Department of Health and Social Care, the government’s steward on welfare and public health issues, and says their concerns must be at the top of pending reforms.

Paul Scully expressed concerns about the most recent Health Survey for England. The survey result showed that 246,000 people were identified as problem gamblers, and an additional 1.6 million were at risk of harm.

The worst social outcomes of gambling, including losing a home, bankruptcy, family collapse, and even suicide, are recognized by the DCMS. The DCMS believes these harms will be prevented by their review of the Gambling Act, with proportionate, effective, and targeted reform.

Scully Says They Are Determined to Ensure the Review Gets the Appropriate Protections in Place

Paul Scully praised the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission) for their work in strengthening regulations and stepping up enforcement. Several operators have paid out more than £45 million in the past year due to regulatory failures, with the two largest operators alone paying £26 million. In comparison, the Commission acted decisively against three operators who paid £1.7 million due to regulatory shortcomings across the entire 2016/2017 financial year.

Paul Scully concluded that the DCMS had obtained crucial evidence from stakeholders, including GambleAware, frontline NHS clinicians, and ASA (Advertising Standards Authority), to develop a coherent response to the gambling challenges of the UK. We are determined to ensure the Review gets the appropriate protections in place, Paul Scully added.