The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform has announced the launch of a new inquiry into the “Future of Gambling Regulation in the UK,” with veteran Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith assuming the role of Chair.
The move marks a renewed push by the cross-party group of reformists to scrutinise the Government’s gambling policy and challenge what Duncan Smith and colleagues see as an incomplete and insufficient White Paper.
“Much more needs to be done to ensure our regulatory framework is fit for the digital age to protect people from harm,” he said in a statement urging stakeholders to contribute to the inquiry.” Duncan Smith noted
A longstanding critic of the gambling industry, Duncan Smith has repeatedly attacked the prominence of betting ads in football and the leniency of current licensing practices.
He has also taken aim at the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), claiming the regulator is a “soft touch governor” that has allowed repeat offenders to continue operating with minimal consequences.”
The inquiry, backed by both Conservative and Labour MPs, will revisit key themes from the Gambling Act review, particularly those deemed undercooked or deferred in the White Paper. These include advertising rules, online protections, and new calls from local councils for more control at the community level.
Duncan Smith has further pressed the Government to reverse its decision to let Premier League clubs broker their own gambling sponsorship deals. He branded Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s position a “soft decision” and renewed calls for legally binding advertising curbs in sport, instead of the current voluntary arrangements.
This APPG-led initiative builds on a track record that includes successfully campaigning for fixed-odds betting terminal (FOBT) reform, the introduction of a statutory levy for NHS addiction services, and the implementation of stake limits for online slots.
As reported by iGaming Expert, reform advocates have welcomed the inquiry’s revival. Will Prochaska, Director of The Coalition to End Gambling Ads, said: “This is a significant moment in the campaign to reform the British gambling industry. The coming together of a Tory grandee — Sir Iain Duncan Smith — with fresh and passionate backbench Labour voices such as Beccy Cooper and Alex Ballinger is going to be a powerful combination on the APPG.”
The Labour government has pledged to implement the recommendations of the Gambling Review but concedes that certain issues such as advertising, public health and local oversight may require a specific review to determine outcomes.
