Slots Consultation Launched By UKGC, 5 New Standards Proposed
An extensive consultation on gaming machines in the UK is being unveiled by the Gambling Commission (UKGC).
The UK regulator is looking into gaming machines. © LoggaWiggler, Pixabay
Key Facts:
- Review of the UK’s gambling industry is now gathering pace
- UKGC will look into gaming machines over a 16-week period
- Review is focussed on gaming machine technical standards and the related testing strategy
- Proposals to introduce five new standards and a licence condition are being assessed
The 16-week process aims to make gambling in Britain safer and fairer and is the third consultation from the 2023 Gambling Act Review White Paper, ‘High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age’.
Britain’s gambling sector is in a state of flux right now, with operators having been told they will have to pay into a new statutory levy that has been imposed by the government. Furthermore, a recent illegal activity warning issued by the UKGC will act as a wake-up call for many within the sector.
What Are the Proposals?
A batch of five new standards for the gambling industry to follow are among the proposals being assessed during the new consultation on gaming machines.
Running through to May 2025, the scheme will also be looking into whether it is worthwhile to bring in a new licence condition that operators would need to follow.
UKGC is also suggesting proposals for time and monetary limit-setting functionality.
The way safer gambling messaging is displayed at online betting sites and casinos is also in the spotlight, along with how net position and session time information is shown.
An expected result of the consultation will be an update to the gaming machine technical standards and the related testing strategy, which will ensure that any obsolete material is removed.
Ensuring Safer Gambling
Executive director for research and policy at UKGC, Tim Miller, said a top priority for the regulator is that “gambling happens safely”.
He added: “We share this commitment and today’s consultation proposes how we could implement gaming machine changes in the land-based sector.”
“We recognise that regulatory changes that impact the design of machines can come with considerable costs. We are encouraging consumers, gambling businesses and other interested groups to share evidence that will assist us in measuring both the likely regulatory impacts of the proposed changes and the likely costs of implementing them.”
Miller explained that the evidence that will be gathered over the course of the 16-week consultation period will be “invaluable”.
He added it would be used to help to make a “robust assessment” on whether the benefits that would be achieved from the proposals are “proportionate to the costs involved”.
Operators will eagerly await the results of the latest UKGC consultation process.
