Gambling is out of control

Gambling policy should be evidence-based.

But for too long the gambling industry has funded research through GambleAware via a voluntary levy - funding that can be withdrawn at any time.

This has enabled the gambling industry to steer the policy agenda away from looking at the stake or speed of harmful gambling products.

The majority of online gambling profits come from people experiencing harm. So reducing harm is not in the commercial interest of the gambling industry.

Instead of building evidence for reforms that reduce harm, research has often been used to delay policy changes.

The gambling industry’s hold over research, education and treatment would end with a mandatory levy, paid to an independent body and calculated on the basis of need.

The treatment system is chronically underfunded. Online gambling companies should pay for the harms they cause, and research into their practices should be independently commissioned.

It’s too easy to get a gambling operator license and too difficult to lose one. It should be the other way around.

Licenses should come with obligations - to both consumers and to society.

We need to end the scandal of unfair terms and conditions that lead to non-payment of winnings, and access to operator data must be granted for independent research.

Regulation must be able to keep pace with technological changes in the gambling industry, so newer forms of gambling such as loot boxes can be controlled. Regulators should also be given the resources to crack down on offshore operators, ensuring all taxes are paid in full.

Gambling machines are subject to controls on stake, speed and their location. But online slots and casino games are not regulated in this way.

This means stakes online are unlimited and the speed of play is unrestricted.

Huge losses can be incurred very quickly. Pre-set limits on the amount that can be deposited into an online gambling account are easily circumvented. Any limits can be increased without any mandatory checks on affordability.

Gambling more than you can afford to lose is a sign of addiction. Reducing harm has to combine rigorous deposit controls with safer stake and speed limits online.

The influx of online gambling advertising during live sport has led to normalisation of gambling amongst our young people.

The unprecedented level of exposure to marketing means there is now evidence that even children of primary school age have brand loyalty towards certain gambling companies.

Children shouldn't be exposed to gambling advertising at all.

That means ending gambling advertising, promotion and sponsorship. This should include ending free bets, bonus offers, and so-called “VIP accounts", all of which are designed to induce gambling beyond the level of affordability.