Tag Archives: dcms

Gambling has been recognised as a ‘related factor’ in the UK government’s new strategy to reduce suicide rates by improving prevention and early intervention through the NHS and wider local public services. This morning, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published details of its new “five-year strategy to reduce suicide rates”. DHSC Undersecretary for Mental Health, Maria Caulfield, …

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published further specific details on concerns related to the “misuse of statistics”  as relayed by CEO Andrew Rhodes to Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Chair, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on 29 August. Micheal Dugher (CEO, Betting and Gaming Council – BGC), Wes Himes (Executive Director for Standards and Innovation, BGC) and Will Prochaska …

Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), has published an open letter, warning stakeholders of the “misrepresentation of gambling statistics”.   The letter sees Rhodes reiterate his previous warning that “opinions on the subject and they sometimes differ very greatly and can be equally strongly held. Sometimes this can boil over into personal comments and even conspiracy theories …

Post White Paper, UK gambling enters its ‘consultation phase’, as the government seeks relevant feedback on key policy proposals to govern the sector. Licensing Expert David Clifton details how consultation questions asked by the Gambling Commission reveal a new approach to the risk assessment & financial vulnerability of customers. ____________________ On 26 July, the UKGC launched its first set of …

The reference of ‘cryptoassets’ in the White Paper, reflects the UK government’s undecided stance on governing cryptocurrency adoption as such DCMS cites the absence of specific laws barring their use for online gambling firms. Hilary Stewart-Jones, technology and digital consultant at Harris Hagan, provides an expert end-to-end breakdown on crypto disciplines remit and boundaries within UK gambling laws. ___________ Adopting …

The Chair position of the National Lottery Community Fund has been filled on an interim basis with the appointment of Paul Sweeney by DCMS. A veteran civil servant, Sweeney was assigned the role by DCMS Secretary Lucy Frazer to Chair the fund for 12 months until 1 August 2024, giving the department time to make a permanent appointment. Sweeney takes …

John White, CEO of bacta, the trade association for the UK’s amusement and gaming machine industry – has stated that more must be done to accommodate consumers who still wish to utilise everyday cash.  Speaking to PaymentExpert, White reflected on the current “cash vs. cashless” debate impacting the British public and their access to services and social mobility. Changing dynamics …

A range of betting and gaming stakeholders, as well as those in the treatment sector, have been asked to provide evidence to government and UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) consultations. The discussions are a fundamental objective of the Gambling Act review White Paper, published back in April, which laid out a number of recommendations for the regulatory future of the UK …

Brigid Simmonds, Chair of the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC) reflects on the trade body’s development since its inception in 2019, navigating the crossfire of UK Gambling’s journey towards its regulatory resolution in 2023.  A headline speaker of the SBC Summit Barcelona (19-21 September), Simmonds cites that UK Gambling shares a ‘common experience’ with other European markets awaiting regulatory settlement. …

DCMS has published an “update on industry-led improvements and protections” related to loot box interactions/exchanges on video games.  The guidance corresponds to the Technical Working Group (TWG) formed by DCMS, following a call-for-evidence consultation response issued in July 2022. The group was tasked with the primary focus of “improving protections for children and adults with regards to loot boxes”. Prior …