Tag Archives: Carolyn Harris MP

Political turmoil in Westminster is predictably impacting a range of sectors, with betting no exception as the 2005 Gambling Act review judgement is reportedly delayed once again. The white paper on the 19-month-long regulatory overhaul was initially scheduled for publication in the spring, but this date was pushed back until July as final details were hashed out amidst a debate …

Sports betting operators’ VIP schemes have been reportedly targeted by government Ministers, according to the Daily Mail, as a new outcome of the overhaul of the 2005 Gambling Act. Citing government sources, the Mail detailed that the practice has been reportedly described as ‘immoral’ by gambling law reform advocating Ministers, who have argued that VIP schemes encourage problem gambling. Under …

John Whittingdale MP, the DCMS Minister overseeing the 2005 Gambling Act review, has responded to a letter from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Related Harm (GRH APPG) calling on the government to ‘act in an informed way’ on gambling advertising. Sent on 5 July, the letter concerned a parliamentary discussion held on 25 May, during which Whittingdale responded to …

The Big Step campaign has written to ITV bosses ahead of the UEFA 2020 European Championship semi-final clash between England and Denmark, calling for no gambling advertising to be shown. Citing the fact that it is estimated that over 20 million people across the UK watch the England national team, including many children, the campaign – an initiative of the …

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a think tank led by senior conservative Sir Iain Duncan Smith, has called for the creation of an ‘independent ombudsman’ to monitor banks and betting firms with the objective of better safeguarding players. An CSJ study, entitled Not a Game’, found that problem gamblers generate 25% of the UK betting and gaming industry’s profits, …

A group of 60 gambling law reform advocates have joined the Big Step campaign in calling for a suspension of gambling advertising during this summer’s UEFA European Football Championship. An initiative of the Gambling with Lives charity, the Big Step has detailed its suggestions in a letter to several broadcasters and media outlets covering television, radio and online verticals, including …

UK government Ministers are reportedly planning to launch an investigation into the collapse of ‘football player trading exchange’ Football Index. The Times reported that legislators are ‘deeply concerned’ by the collapse of the operator, after users lost over £100 million following its crash into insolvency. “This case further reinforces the need for our comprehensive review of gambling laws,” a government …

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has incorporated a pledge to ban gambling advertising on the London Underground into his manifesto ahead of the upcoming mayoral elections. The Labour Party politician previously banned advertisements of junk food on the city’s underground rail service in 2018. He now plans to extend this advertisement ban to betting marketing if re-elected on 6 May. …

MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Related Harm (GRH APPG) have directed further criticism at the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) regarding the collapse of betting exchange Football Index. Writing a letter to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, the group of legislators described the demise of the operator and the losses its customers suffered as a ‘scandal,’ and have cited …

The Daily Telegraph has reported this morning that PM Boris Johnson will likely support a ban on gambling industry shirt sponsorships across football.  Citing sources ‘close to Downing Street’, the Telegraph stated that Johnson’s senior cabinet are determined to press ahead with drastic reforms to the UK gambling sector. A ban on shirt sponsorships by gambling brands has been pitched …