As regards Autoplay, we consulted earlier in 2020 on changes to the design of online slots specifically to make them safer for consumers in GB and the decision was made to remove Autoplay as a feature.
You can find details of all the changes
. These changes need to be fully implemented by online operators by 31 October 2021.
As regards your comments about deposit limits and maximum stakes, I can advise that deposit limits are only voluntary. In addition, they are very easy for customers to change. Unfortunately, we receive many complaints from customers who say they have been able to gamble and lose way more than they can afford where they say the gambling businesses failed to carry out any affordability or source of funds checks on them. This can include customers who are unemployed and/or on benefits but also from customers who have come into some money but have been able to gamble it all away.
As regards your comments about RTP, you raise some very valid points.
As you may be aware, the government are currently undertaking a review of the Gambling Act as part of a major and wide-ranging review of gambling laws. It is currently unknown what their decisions will be as regards any of the topics you have raised.
Please be aware however that the Gambling Commission are not able to change legislation and can only act within our legal powers. Any change in the law is a decision ultimately made by the government and not the Gambling Commission. We can campaign for changes and do so by carrying out consultations to get the views of the public as well as gambling businesses. But ultimately, any changes to the law are made by the government.
We would therefore suggest, if you still have concerns or think that the legislation needs changing, that you raise your concerns and suggestions with your local MP. This would be the appropriate step to take to campaign for changes to legislation. You could also raise your concerns with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (
).
As you are aware, the Gambling Commission launches consultations regularly as regards changes we are proposing. These consultations invite comments from both the industry and the public and can lead to changes to our Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice that licensed gambling operators have to abide by.
If you would like to take part in future consultations such as these, then we publish a fortnightly newsletter, called e-bulletin. Subscribing to this will get you the latest news from both ourselves and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and include notifications of consultations and changes to licence requirements etc. You can subscribe to same and access previous e-bulletins
. Consumers sending in their views on consultations on topics, along with the feedback of specific complaints, can all help us bring about changes to make gambling safer and fairer for all.
I hope you find this information useful and thank you for raising your concerns and suggestions with us.