Lib Dems call for stricter UK gambling reforms to protect players

Max Wilkinson, the Lib Dem MP for Cheltenham, recently announced UK gambling regulation changes on behalf of his party. These new policies are gambling-centered, encouraging the Labour Party to make changes while they’re in power. 

This is not the first time an MP has used the gambling tax as a possible solution, with Gordon Brown suggesting a tax increase could solve child poverty. 

What are the Lib Dems proposing? 

There were a few different parts to this proposal, but here are the main things they suggested: 

• Double the current remote gaming duty from 21% to 42%.

• Ban pre-watershed (before 9 pm) gambling advertisements.

• Review gambling advertising in general.

• Create a statutory, independent Gambling Ombudsman.

• Affordability checks are to be enforced so that nobody gambles beyond their means.

• Loot boxes in video games should be regulated as a gambling product. 

• Let local councils have the same power over gambling venues as they do over drinking establishments. 

Wilkinson called for the Labour government to impose this tax increase and stricter advertising now, but it is clear that it is a priority for the Liberal Democrats if they are ever in power. 

The announcement 

Wilkinson released a statement on the party’s website to explain this new policy, using the shocking statistic that ‘one person a day dies by gambling-related suicide’. 

He goes on to explain how gambling has become more accessible over the years, with gambling websites and apps. The ‘absence of firm regulation’ has been blamed for this increase. 

The MP ended his announcement by claiming that this reform would “raise hundreds of millions of pounds to help fund NHS treatment for gambling addiction” and promises to hold the gambling industry to account. 

Progress so far 

One of the proposals from this party, to create an independent Gambling Ombudsman, is already in slow progress. 

Previous proposals suggest that this may not be successful, as the gambling industry is currently opposing the creation of a unified remote betting and gaming duty. This is facing heavy resistance due to concerns over the horse racing industry. 

What happens next?

As other parties and countries have acknowledged the damages of illegal gambling, what will it take to officially make changes? 

As the Liberal Democrats aren’t the leading party at the moment, all they can do is hope that the Labour government will listen to them. Other parties and MPs have made the same proposal, but something seems to be stopping change from happening.

There have been some suggestions that it wouldn’t work, as the Netherlands saw a tax decrease after raising its gambling duty. 

What will this mean for UK players? 

If changes are made, the British public will notice some changes in the way they gamble. Here are some examples and what may change and how it will affect you:

• Affordability checks: Players may be limited from placing larger bets if the checks reveal a lack of disposable income. 

• Loot boxes changing: Loot boxes in video games won’t be included, meaning you get less prizes across all online games, not just casinos. 

• Less frequent wins: Gambling companies will see a decrease in profit, meaning they could make players’ wins less frequent in order to break even. 

• Stricter KYC: This goes hand-in-hand with the affordability checks, there will be more hoops to jump through before you can place bets or withdraw. 

However, it has been suggested that this will mean that more money is available for the British Government to spend on other resources like the NHS.