REGULATORY ::
We will work with partners to shape a future national strategy for safer gambling. This must identify the scale of industry funding required to invest in preventative measures, in effective education, and in the evolution of treatment services which are accessible in the areas of greatest need and based on best practice models of treatment delivery and evaluation. We will put in place a more effective approach to target funding, supervise progress, and evaluate and report on the impact of a national strategy for safer gambling. Many initiatives and programmes are already underway. However, if there is to be step change over the next three years, we see the case for increased funding and improved supervision of delivery across the operators and agencies concerned with limiting and treating gambling-related harm.
Raise standards in the gambling market More needs to be done, and at a faster pace, by operators to improve ways to know their customers, to ensure fair and safe play, and to keep gambling free from crime and money laundering. In January 2018 we wrote to all online casino operators to raise concerns about the sector’s approach to anti-money laundering and social responsibility. This followed a thematic review of the sector to consider how well operators are meeting their current obligations. Due to the serious nature of our findings, we have already begun investigations into 17 online operators, and are considering whether five of these require a licence review. Over the next three years we will require operators to design protections ‘up front’ to the products and services they offer, considering how data analytics, technology and other measures can be used to detect and prevent crime (including money laundering) and harmful gambling. We will also require operators to build on existing ‘backstop’ protections, such as self-exclusion, in ways that work for well for consumers as well as for industry. In addition, we will look carefully at the evidence brought to us by operators and consider whether we should make changes in the interests of consumers if regulatory requirements prove to stand in the way of piloting or developing new innovative approaches. Innovation is important, and while welcoming it, we will apply the precautionary principle to new products, or other innovations, when there is good reason to believe they might cause harm disproportionate to any benefits they might bring. The burden of proof will sit with the operator to demonstrate otherwise. We will look to intervene to enhance the protections to consumers given by our Licence conditions and codes of practice. For example, we are currently reviewing the online gambling sector to take account of how the market has evolved since Point of Consumption in 2014 and whether current regulations and protections are fit for purpose. Where necessary we will amend our requirements to raise the bar in consumers’ interests. We know we have a role to play in helping the industry comply. We will support the industry to lead the way, collaborate and share what works, as well as what has proven to be less effective for consumers, via processes like the annual assurance statement reporting. This will involve finding ways to better share lessons learned and supporting the industry in a drive to share best practice and accelerate progress.
We will develop and publish risk assessments, analysis and research, such as the assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing risk. We will look to operators to draw on these to shape their own risk assessments and take pre-emptive action. We will hold to account those who do not attempt to understand the risks of gambling or fail to put in place effective mitigations. We will use the full range of our enforcement powers, and develop our use of sanctions, to ensure these are well targeted and provide credible deterrence. We will continue to support and facilitate collaboration across operators and other agencies concerned with raising standards in relation to sports betting integrity, and work to foster national and international standards where it is clearly in the interests of consumers to do so. If operators fail to respond to our challenge to raise standards and persistently or repeatedly fail consumers, they will face the sharp end of regulation. Recent examples of this include our £7.8m penalty package against 888 and the £2.3m penalty package against Gala Interactive. We are making it very clear that over the life of this strategy we use tougher and broader sanctions. This is important, not just for wider public confidence in regulation, but also for the market to give assurance that there is no competitive advantage to be gained from not raising standards.
We are here to help Over the next three years we want to continue to make gambling fairer and safer for consumers, and the wider public. The pace of change across the industry so far has been too slow, and we are approaching a tipping point- things cannot continue as they have. The time to act is now and we want to provide more support, help and advice to operators to get it right. Our call to action extends to partners and others who have an interest in this market. A call not only to challenge from the side lines but to stand ready to work with those in the industry who genuinely want to make a difference. Just like any other industry we want to see gambling operators shape their businesses to fit with consumer demands not only on price, choice and excellent service but also their expectations for fair treatment, values and protection. :: CGi
SARAH HARRISON
Sarah became Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission on 1 October 2015. Prior to joining the Commission, Sarah had worked at Ofgem since 2000 with her last position as a Senior Partner leading the Sustainable Development Division and before that as Managing Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications Director. Before joining Ofgem, Sarah was the first Chief Executive of ICSTIS, the UK industry regulator for premium rate telephone services. Her earlier career was in public relations consultancy. Sarah will be leaving the Commission at the end of February 2018 to take up a senior role with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
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