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The National Center for Social Research (NatCen), a non-profit organization dedicated to social research, is tasked with developing a monitoring and evaluation plan to review the UK Gambling Act.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the UK Gambling Commission commissioned NatCen to produce the plan in order to “establish the assessment design to address the effectiveness of the Gambling Act review in preventing gambling-related harm for vulnerable groups and wider communities, gambling behaviors and the gambling market.”

Dr. Sokratis Dinos, Director of Health Policy at NatCen, commented on the project. “We are delighted to be working on this project, to develop this vital monitoring and evaluation plan for the revision of the Gambling Law.

The last decade has seen a significant shift in the perspective of gambling harms, and this agreement is critical to providing viable approaches and practical recommendations.”

NatCen’s assessment of the Gambling Act review will look at whether the “appropriate balance” took into account consumer freedoms and the prevention of harm to vulnerable groups and wider communities.

Additionally, the social research organization will also look into whether there are adequate protections in place for customers regardless of when or where they play, as well as whether there is an “equitable approach” to online and physical regulation.

Co-project between NatCen, DCMS and the UKGC

In co-design with DCMS and UKGC, NatCen will develop a Theory of Change, which will use document analysis to “ensure assessment design is considered in the full context of recent changes to the gaming landscape”.

As a result, the social research organization’s plan will consider “feasible approaches and practical recommendations” for implementing the evaluation.

Dinos added: “This assessment will consider the extent to which measures have effectively prevented gambling-related harm to vulnerable groups and wider communities.

At the same time, they will allow a balance between consumer freedom and informed choice. In doing so, they will explore the broader impact on gaming behaviors and the market.”