The All-Party Betting & Gaming Group will no longer host independent seminars debating and analysing UK gambling industry policies after a decision was made to restrict the group’s activities. Steve Donoughue, Group Secretariat, sent an email to members confirming the closure of the APPG following the appointment of Laurence Robertson, Conservative MP for Tewkesbury, as the group’s new Chair. The email …
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Affordability checks could have ‘devastating impact on sport’ says MP
Conservative MP Laurence Robertson has expressed concern to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) about the potential ‘devastating impact’ of enhanced affordability checks on UK racing. The new affordability checks are currently being discussed in a consultation which will close tonight [9 February]. If introduced, the new regulations could enforce affordability checks once a customer has experienced a net monthly loss …
Read More »MP Philip Davies defends GVC contract against media backlash
Conservative minister Philip Davies (MP for Shipley) has hit back at ‘inaccurate reporting’ by The Guardian which disclosed his paid work for GVC Holdings. On Wednesday 11 November, the Guardian published a report revealing that Davies and fellow Tory minister Laurence Robertson (MP for Tewkesbury) had taken on consultancy jobs advising betting and gaming organisations. Citing Parliamentary disclosures, the Guardian …
Read More »Industry advocacy faces media and political backlash as Gambling Act review nears
Ahead of the government’s impending review of the 2005 Gambling Act, two Conservative MPs have accepted jobs with the gambling industry to advise on ‘responsible gambling and customer service’. The MPs roles and daily fees were revealed by parliamentary disclosure, reported by The Guardian, and criticised by opposition MPs as a ‘clear conflict of interest’. Laurence Robertson (MP for Tewkesbury) …
Read More »UK Gambling not eligible for emergency business rates relief
In light of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s package of new measures to support UK businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has since been confirmed that betting shops and casinos will not qualify for relief in business rates. Backed by PM Boris Johnson, Sunak announced that the Treasury department had reserved £330 billion in business loans (equivalent to 15% of GDP) to …
Read More »MPs emphasise the importance of the DCMS review on the horse racing industry
This week’s long awaited triennial review of gaming machines stakes and prizes not only led to a 12 week consultation period, but also incited an incredibly heated debate in Parliament on Tuesday. As part of the debate, the case was made for how future regulations on terminals could have implications on the horse racing industry, both co-chairs of the all-party …
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