As with all industries, the internet has revolutionised gaming over the last three decades. Basic arcade games have transformed into high-graphic multiplayer games on specialist devices, casinos have moved online, and you can now download a Bingo app to your smartphone to play the nation’s favourite game on the go.
Being able to access gaming anytime, anywhere rather than being restricted by venue opening times is a positive for players but has raised concerns regarding regulation. While betting companies already work to strict guidelines, there’s scope for standards to slacken or businesses to operate under the radar in the online landscape which could cause an increase in gambling-related harm.
In April last year, the UK government published a white paper suggesting a major reform of gambling laws to protect vulnerable users in the smartphone era, including giving the Gambling Commission greater powers. This would have been the most comprehensive reform of the gambling sector since the 2005 Gambling Act. However, the Conservative Party were ousted before it could be made official, and the proposed changes remain up in the air.
Explore the major revisions to online gaming regulations proposed by the previous government and how these will help protect players if passed.
Player protection checks
Most people can enjoy online gaming safely, but there is a risk of making poor decisions due to dissociation or sudden emotional shifts while playing. Having frequent checks in place keeps players grounded in reality, protecting against impulsive actions that could be harmful.
These checks include forced breaks in play such as activities ‘timing out’ after a set period and messaging such as pop-ups, quick questions and live chats to interrupt the flow of the game.
Stake limits for slots
A specific change that was proposed was stake limits for slots. As it stands, there is no maximum bet for online slots, whereas physical slots have a standard £2 – £5 range. This is unusual because most other online gambling activities have time and money limits in place
The white paper proposes a ceiling of £2 for 18-24-year-olds and a hard limit of £5 for 25-and-overs. The paper also includes a call for changes in how free bets and spins are offered to players during games to avoid these driving vulnerable users to poor financial decisions.
Statutory operator levy
As a replacement to the current optional levy, all gambling companies will contribute a set amount towards research, education and treatment related to gambling-related harm. This will be collected by the UK Gambling Commission and the government will approve how it’s spent.
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