In mid-May the UK Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee launched a new inquiry into gambling, looking in particular at the implementation and operation of the Gambling Act 2005. The Committee is seeking views on the effectiveness of the Act; the financial impact; the effectiveness of the Gambling Commission; the impact of the proliferation of off-shore online gambling operators on the UK gambling sector; why the Act has not resulted in any new licences for casinos or “super” casinos; the effectiveness of the classification and regulation of gaming machines under the Act; and what impact the Act has had on levels of problem gambling.
The first evidence session was held last month and top gambling industry executives were called as witnesses. The Association of British Bookmakers was represented along with CEOs and Directors from Genting UK, London Clubs International, Ladbrokes and William Hill. Paul Talboys, Chief Executive of The Bingo Association, also appeared as a witness. Written evidence was received from 90 individuals and industry bodies concerned with gambling in some manner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today at Portcullis House the Culture, Media and Sport Committee will take evidence from religious groups, academics and charities dealing with problem gambling. GamCare and the Salvation Army are amongst those called, as is Professor Jim Orford, Gambling Specialist from the University of Birmingham. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) believes that the Gambling Act 2005 has been only partly successful in achieving its outcomes. Written evidence from the DCMS says, “While it is not in need of wholesale reform, we are committed to making any necessary changes to improve it.” (E-11.22.11)
|
|
