Compliance and Enforcement Report published by Gambling Commission

By Simon Wright, Last updated Jun 30, 2023

The UK Gambling Commission have today published their annual Compliance and Enforcement Report as well as for the first time ever their National Strategic Assessment.

The National Strategic Assessment utilises the latest evidence made available to the UKGC from a wide range of sources and information, with the purpose being to assess the issues and the risks gambling presents to consumers and the public. The document also prioritises the UKGC’s actions moving forward to address areas of concern.

Gambling Commission Chief Executive Neil McArthur commenting on the release of the National Strategic Assessment, commented: “We will use our National Strategic Assessment as the foundation for prioritising our work over the coming months and years.”

“We look forward to working with the government on the forthcoming review of the Gambling Act and alongside that work we will be working hard to address the issues that we have identified in our Strategic Assessment.”

“We have demonstrated that we are willing and able to respond quickly to emerging issues and risks and that we will use the full range of our powers to protect consumers.  We and have made considerable progress in many areas to make gambling safer – but we want to go further and faster.”

With regards the UKGC’s annual Compliance and Enforcement Report, McArthur had this to say: “Holding an operating licence or a personal licence is a privilege, not a right, and we expect our licensees to protect consumers from harm and treat them fairly.”

“Our latest report shows that where licensees fail to meet the standards we expect, we will take tough action, including the suspension and revocation of licences. It also charts how we are shifting our focus towards personal management licence holders – those in boardrooms and senior positions need to live up to their responsibilities and we will continue to hold people to account for failings they knew, or ought to have known, about.”

“Everyone has a part to play to make gambling safer and learning the lessons from the failings identified in this report is one way of doing that.”

To view in full the UKGC’s annual Compliance and Enforcement Report click here. Likewise the 2020 National Strategic Assessment can be accessed here.

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