The UK government’s review of the gambling law will likely be delayed until May 2022, according to ‘The Guardian’. This delay comes amid uncertainty over the future of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is seen as a supporter of reform.
Gambling law reform proposals were launched in December 2020 by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), amid concerns about gambling addiction and children’s exposure to gambling through advertising and sponsorship. .
The new legislation was originally supposed to be published by the end of 2021, before being delayed to early 2022. The initial delay came amid a cabinet reshuffle that saw Chris Philp replace John Whittingdale as Minister of Gambling.
A necessary and urgent review for betting games
Carolyn Harris, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Related Harm, explained that current circumstances within the government are having a big impact on the review.
“Of course, time must be taken to gather the evidence to ensure the right reforms are put in place, but the game review was announced more than two years ago,” Harris said.
“Each day of delay leads to more gambling-related damage as the industry profits. The government must not let its own internal problems get in the way of much-needed reforms for this country – it’s time to act.”
Liz Ritchie, co-founder of the charity ‘Gambling With Lives’, also stressed the importance of urgency, stating that the new legislation must be published as soon as possible.
“Someone takes their life every day in the UK because of the game, so we just can’t wait until May,” Ritchie said. “How many more families need to be torn apart by the highly addictive gaming products and predatory practices of the gaming industry before the government takes action”?
