The UK Gambling Commission is seeking feedback from members of the greater British public relating to its new proposals regarding shake-ups to its existing gambling regulations. In other words, the UKGC is planning to revamp the system, and wants your thoughts on the matter. The deadline for any feedback has been set as the 22nd of April, so you’ve got plenty of time if you wish to get in touch with them. They are also encouraging gambling firms, and stakeholders in such firms, to get involved in the feedback process. The proposed changes concern marketing and advertising practices, defining and regulating terms and conditions of play, and procedures for handling complaints and player disputes.
One of the key sets of proposals put forward by the UKGC are those which have been designed specifically to clarify requirements, made by the Commission of operators, that gaming operators be fair and open with all customers, in order to qualify for a license in the first place or to maintain their right to hold one.
The UKGC explains on their website that a number of things have prompted these proposed regulatory changes. They specifically cite “evidence of potential or unfair treatment of consumers, concerns about lack of compliance with consumer protection legislation, declining public trust in gambling, and concerns about the impact of gambling on children and young or vulnerable people.” These topics have all been prominent in the UK over the past year or more; CDC Gaming Reports has written on every one of them at some point or another.
These proposals will underpin a three-year strategy by the Commission; the full details are available on their site. The goals listed include making sure all advertisements adhere to UK advertising codes, preventing the spamming of consumers either electronically or via mobile, and making sure licensees know that they are responsible for third party actions. They are also aiming to ensure that complaints are handled openly and fairly and in a timely and transparent way, with an eight-week time frame limitation put forward for resolving such complaints.
The Commission also wishes to put in place a “standard of readability” for terms and conditions, effectively to reduce “legalese” and make terms clearer for the layperson consumer. They have also invited firms and individuals to “share your own evidence and examples of good practice.” Hopefully this will be a frank, engaged, and lively consultation process, for the good and for the sustainability of the whole UK gambling industry.
