The second set of consultations will run for 12 weeks, implying a deadline of 21 February 2024.
This second round will focus on five topics. Earlier this month, Tim Miller, executive director of research and policy at the Commission wrote that seven topics will be up for consultation “in the coming weeks”.
Today (29 November) the Commission has confirmed that five of these topics will be included in the second round of consultations. These are:
Socially responsible incentives, specifically bonuses and free betsCustomer-specific tools, which would give customers greater control of their gambling habits, including setting deposit limitsIncreasing the transparency of customer funds, if the funds are held by companies that do not have protection against insolvencyThe requirement to make annual contributions to Research, Prevention and Treatment (RET)Regulatory data
“The white paper set out that a top government priority is ensuring that gambling happens safely,” said Miller today. “We share this commitment and today’s consultations propose how we can deliver on it. We need as many people as possible to have their say on any potential changes to the rules operators must follow.”
“These views will ultimately help shape gambling regulation across the country.”
The Commission confirmed that a further consultation will take place to discuss calculating financial penalties and financial event key reporting. The Commission classified these as “business as usual” matters.
The first set of consultations opened in July and closed in October. That round focused on financial risk and vulnerability, online games design, enhancing customer choice on direct marketing and improving age-verification in land-based premises.
Mandy Gill, director of compliance at the Commission said that more than 3,000 submissions were made for the for the first consultation round.
More to follow.