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UK Government Continues To Debate White Paper Reforms

The UK Parliament continues to discuss white paper recommendations, arguing about online slot limits and the statutory levy. This first change seeks to minimize excessive play and protect players from over-spending, while the second one would raise funds for gambling research, education and treatment (RET) initiatives.

A Stake Limit Would Change How People Interact with Online Slots One of the discussed measures includes a £5 stake limit for adults over the age of 25. Players in the 18-24 group, who are considered to be more vulnerable, would instead have a stricter £2 limit. The first limit is set to be implemented first, with the younger adult’s limit to follow six weeks later.

This is consistent with other online slot game regulations Britain has adopted previously. The measure comes in response to the growth of online gambling and its perceived risks. Online slots, in particular, are considered to be a high-risk vertical because of their addictive nature and high availability. For reference, iGaming yields a GGR of roughly £6.9 billion, of which £3.6 billion comes from slot games.

Some Say the Measures Go Too Far, Others Say They Don’t Go Far Enough DCMS Undersecretary Stephanie Peacock insisted that the stake limit is a much-needed measure. She called for stricter regulation of higher-risk products that have a proven appeal among younger audiences.

Others, meanwhile, were concerned about the economic impact of the measure and its potential to channel some players toward the more dangerous black market. Such concerns were echoed by Shadow Minister Louie French who accused the Labour government of not engaging with industry stakeholders.

Labour’s heavy-handed approach is endangering jobs, reducing revenues for good causes, and failing to properly consult stakeholders before implementing these drastic measures.

Shadow Minister Louie French Conversely, Sir Iain Duncan Smith who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on gambling reform, agreed with the introduction of a stake limit and said that the government go even further. Since traditional slots already have a £2 limit, anti-gambling advocates believe that £5 is too high.

In any case, the government would review these limits after five years to see if they are sufficient or relevant.

Another controversial measure is the statutory levy, which would tax operators and channel the money toward RET initiatives. Effectively replacing Britain’s previous voluntary donations system, the levy would allow the treatment sector to be less dependent on the gambling industry.

Some, however, questioned this approach since it would deprive the treatment sector of the industry’s decades of expertise. According to experts, making treatment fully independent might undermine positive relationships that have been fostered for years.

In the meantime, Northern Ireland has once again asked to be aligned with the rest of Great Britain, feeling somewhat forgotten amid the reforms.

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