- Government launches online slot stake-limit consultation as
part of plans to curb harmful gambling
- Gambling Commission also launches consultation on how
financial risk checks will work to make sure people are not
accumulating life-changing losses
- Outdated rules which restrict casinos and bingo halls will be
looked at as part of the consultation
A public consultation process has been launched to look at how to
conduct financial risk checks for problem gambling and at what
level stake limits should be set for people playing online slot
games.
The move is the next step of the Government’s gambling white
paper to update gambling rules for the smartphone era
and protect those at risk of gambling harm including young
adults.
The gambling industry, clinicians, academics, those with
firsthand experience of harm, and the general public are invited
to share their views.
Gambling Minister said:
Three months ago we laid out proposals to update gambling laws
and make them fit for the smartphone age.
Slot machines in casinos, arcades and betting shops have strict
stake limits but very similar games online have none, which can
lead to very large and rapid losses of money.
Today we are launching a consultation for a range of views on
what the stake limit should be. I encourage you to have your say.
Online slot games are deemed a higher-risk gambling product,
associated with large losses, long sessions and binge play.
According to NHS England surveys, 8.5 per cent of online slots,
casino and bingo players report experiencing problem gambling,
which is nearly 20 times higher than the adult population
average. But unlike gaming machines in pubs, arcades and
bookmakers, online slot games have no stake limits, which can
make it too easy to incur potentially life-changing losses in
minutes.
The Government is consulting on a maximum stake of between £2 and
£15 per spin.
Public Health England research has also shown younger adults can
be particularly vulnerable to gambling harms, due to a
combination of common factors such as ongoing cognitive
development and managing money for the first time.
The Government is also consulting on options to introduce greater
protections when playing slots for 18 to 24-year-olds, such as
lower stake limits of £2, £4, or requirements on operators to
consider age as a risk factor for gambling-related harm.
While the online sector has seen significant growth since the
2005 Gambling Act, casinos and bingo halls continue to operate
under outdated rules from that time, restricting their ability to
compete.
Recommendations in today’s consultations will allow the
land-based sector to thrive sustainably, respond to customer
demand, and continue to recover from the impacts of Covid, while
still protecting customers.
Gambling Commission Executive Director for research and policy
Tim Miller said:
These consultations from the Government and the Gambling
Commission offer the opportunity for people to have their say on
proposals aimed at empowering and protecting consumers. Their
launch represents a key moment in turning the commitments in the
White Paper into reality.
Alongside the Government consultations, the Gambling Commission
has also today published its own 12-week consultation on
financial risk checks. These checks will force gambling operators
to conduct checks to see if unusually high losses are likely to
be harmful.
The Commission will also consult on improving consumer choice and
giving players more control on direct marketing, meaning they
will have options to opt-in to products and choose the channels
they wish to receive marketing through.
Consultations to reduce the speed and intensity of online games,
strengthen age verification in premises, look at management
licences for operators and the processes of the Commission’s
regulatory panel have also started today.
Later this summer, the Government will also launch a consultation
on the details of the new gambling operator levy, a charge on
betting companies, to fund gambling research, education and
treatment, exploring options for the design of the levy, the
amount to be collected, funding distribution and governance.
Health Minister said:
Harmful gambling has widespread impacts. It affects more than
people’s money, but their relationships and health as well.
We are working to protect people from the damaging impacts of
harmful gambling by improving treatment options with specialist
NHS gambling addiction treatment services.
Seven new gambling clinics will open this summer bringing vital
support to more parts of the country, on top of the eight that
are already open.
We will be working to better understand the evidence received in
order to inform our approach.
The stake limit consultation published today will be open for 8
weeks, with the land based consultation lasting 10 weeks. Those
with views or evidence to contribute are invited to do so via the
gov.uk page.
Notes to editors
