Is it time to scrap the 2005 UK Gambling Act? Reformers and MPs say yes
The debate on gambling reform in the UK is heating up once again, with campaigners and newly elected MPs signalling that the time has come to replace the with a brand new piece of legislation. Despite recent regulatory tweaks and a much-anticipated government white paper, many believe the current framework is simply no longer fit for purpose in the digital age.
Why campaigners say the 2005 act is no longer enough
James Noyes, a long-standing advocate for gambling reform and senior fellow at the Social Market Foundation, has been at the forefront of calls for change. Speaking at a Westminster Forum event, Noyes argued that the 2005 Act is fundamentally flawed and ill-suited to today’s gambling landscape. “The inherent paradox of the existing legislation is that no matter how much good work the DCMS or the Gambling Commission do, they’re trying to put lots of sticking plasters on a body that’s on the operating table,” he said, emphasising the need for a more radical solution.
Noyes, who previously advised former deputy Labour leader Tom Watson, has seen some of his proposals, such as the creation of a gambling ombudsman and affordability checks, make their way into the government’s white paper. However, he insists that these measures are still hampered by “analogue legislation” that is nearly two decades old. “There seem to be several structural flaws to this analogue legislation,” he noted, warning that campaigners are regrouping and will soon push for a completely new act.
“The only reasonable and rational act left is to call for a new gambling act. I would not be surprised if that is where the reform movement will start to focus in the months ahead,” Noyes predicted.
He added, “I’m sure that the reformers are aware of the scale of such an ambition, but I also know that they have the conviction, the resources and the people to dig in for the long run.”
Fresh faces in parliament bring new momentum
Noyes’ comments were quickly echoed by Alex Ballinger, the newly elected Labour MP for Halesowen and a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Related Harm.
Ballinger, chairing the same conference, made it clear that the influx of new Labour MPs is likely to strengthen the reform movement: “There’s a considerable caucus of new MPs that are interested in reforming the Gambling Act. The gauntlet is in the legislators’ court now. The APPG will be looking at this very closely.”
This renewed parliamentary interest comes at a time when the government is already implementing significant changes, such as introducing a statutory levy on gambling operators and new stake limits for online slots: £5 per spin for adults and £2 for young adults aged 18 to 24.
Yet, campaigners argue that these piecemeal reforms do not go far enough, especially as the Gambling Commission is still legally bound to “aim to permit” gambling, a central tenet of the 2005 Act that Noyes believes should be reconsidered. “There’s no reason why the aim to permit couldn’t be revised,” he suggested.
Advertising, harm, and the unfinished business of reform
Sarah Fox, the UK’s head civil servant for gambling policy at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), acknowledged the growing appetite for reform but cautioned that parliamentary time is limited, stating that “any attempt [at reform] would struggle to find parliamentary time in an already congested calendar.”
Fox confirmed that her team is focused on closing out the remaining portions of the white paper, but will also take a closer look at gambling advertising, a topic campaigners say has been largely neglected so far.
“We’re definitely seeing strong parliamentary interest in advertising and sponsorship,” Fox explained, revealing plans to convene meetings with sports bodies to ensure compliance with voluntary codes. She posed a key question: “Do people just not like advertising because it is annoying, or is it actually harmful?”
The debate is far from over. With campaigners and a new generation of MPs pushing for a clean slate, the future of UK gambling regulation looks set for another round in the spotlight.
