Asked by Lord Clement-Jones To ask Her Majesty’s Government
what progress they have made with their Review of Gaming Machines
and Social Responsibility Measures. The Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media
and Sport (Lord Ashton of Hyde) (Con) My Lords, the review
generated a lot of interest from the...Request free trial
Asked by
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To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have
made with their Review of Gaming Machines and Social
Responsibility Measures.
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Lord Ashton of Hyde)
(Con)
My Lords, the review generated a lot of interest from the
general public, as well as from a variety of interest
groups, local authorities, trade bodies and industry. As
the Minister for Sport and Civil Society made clear in the
other place before the Recess, any announcement will not be
made until October at the earliest.
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(LD)
My Lords, that is not an unexpected reply. Does the
Minister accept that the NatCen report published last month
provides clear evidence that 43% of FOBT users are either
problem or at-risk gamblers? In that light, does he accept
that it is high time that the Government end their internal
debate, override the Treasury objections and act to reduce
the committed stake and slow the speed of play on these
dangerous machines without any further delay?
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My Lords, the noble Lord has misunderstood several things.
First, the Chancellor has said publicly that he fully
supports the work of DCMS to ensure that the UK’s gambling
regime continues to balance the needs of vulnerable people,
consumers who gamble responsibly and those who work in this
sector. Of the 2.38 million who are at risk, 1.4 million
are at low risk, and I completely understand the noble
Lord’s point about 430,000 problem gamblers being 430,000
too many. That is exactly why we are having the review,
which we hope will be published soon. We will then be able
to do something about it, depending on what the options
are.
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(Lab)
In his Answer, the Minister referred to October. October of
which year?
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Actually, I said not before October, and I meant 2017.
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(LD)
My Lords, younger gamblers, aged 18 to 24, have a greater
propensity to develop problem gambling and mental health
issues. They do it mostly online, which is very quick and
easy. What will the Government do to reduce the volume of
gambling advertising, particularly at sporting events? In
many cases, the tone of this advertising is very clearly
aimed at young people.
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That is a valid point. Although there is a watershed
protecting young children, it does not apply to live
sporting events. Advertising—as well as other social
responsibility issues—is included in the review, which will
be published soon.
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(Con)
My Lords, one has only to walk down the high street in some
of the very poor areas in our cities to find that every
other shop appears to be a gambling place. Will the
Minister look at planning laws as part of the review, to
ensure that some of these gambling shops, or casinos or
whatever they are, can be limited in number?
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I am pleased to say that the review includes in its scope
the numbers and locations of gaming machines within shops.
But this is not a review of planning law—that was not
included
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(Lab)
My Lords, the fact is that this review is long overdue. The
Minister has reassured the House on previous occasions
about when it will be published. In the meantime, thousands
of people suffering from problem gambling are left
vulnerable. The Government need to act, and act promptly,
on this matter. There must be a holistic approach. It is
not just FOBTs, although they are a great problem, but the
issue of how easy it is now to bet, particularly online.
With mobile phones you can be anywhere in the world and bet
a fortune. The Government must act.
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That is exactly why, within the review, the issues of
social responsibility and advertising are covered,
including online gambling. We agree that there are issues
to be dealt with. That is why we have the review and why it
will be published. But there must be an evidence-based
approach. There will be a consultation to make sure that,
for example, action cannot be subject to judicial review.
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Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Con)
My Lords, I speak as a former Home Office Minister
responsible for these matters. In this area of gambling in
particular and its effects on society, does my noble friend
not agree that, however well he may be performing these
responsibilities in his department, it might be a good idea
for the Government to transfer them back to the Home
Office, where proper regulation can be applied?
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I had not considered that issue, I must admit, but I do not
think it is for me to comment.
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(Lab)
My Lords, talking of gaming machines and games of chance,
Lady Emma Hamilton enjoyed games of chance and 224 years
ago yesterday she met Nelson—an affair of the heart. On
Nelson’s heart was engraved “lack of frigates”. He had some
284 of them. Today, the Government are committed to
maintaining only 19 escorts. Does the Minister think we
should have a somewhat better aspiration, or it may be
engraved on all our hearts?
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I am afraid I had not thought about that.
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Lord Smith of Hindhead (Con)
My Lords, will the Minister update the House about what the
Government are doing to make online gambling safer for
consumers, particularly in relation to operators based
outside of the UK with British customers?
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Online gambling was brought under the regulatory regime in
2014. One of the main ways of dealing with this is to
approach the payment providers. If an unlicensed gambling
operator is not obeying the regulations, they will be
prevented from operating with the payment providers. There is
not much point in them operating if they cannot get paid.
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