MPs Call for Second Gambling Act Review

Author: Paul Aitken
Published: 30/05/2025
Last Modified: 30/05/2025

The UK gambling industry has undergone several major changes in the last few years, including slower slot spins and stake limits. However, some MPs believe that these changes aren’t enough, and they have called for a further review of the UK Gambling Act.

A Call for Change

On May 7, Layla Moran MP, the chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, addressed a letter to Ashley Dalton MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention. Headed “Gambling-related harms”, the letter noted that “Gambling can cause serious harm” and discussed points addressed in a committee meeting on April 2 and a meeting with the Gambling with Lives charity on April 22.

They noted that gambling is thought to be responsible for nearly 500 suicides every year in England, and suggested that gambling should be reframed as a public health issue with a view to rectifying this issue.

What is the Problem?

The letter didn’t call for complete prohibition or even suggest strict changes to identity verification, stake limits, and affordability checks—issues that have been at the heart of recent regulatory updates.

Instead, it focuses on the fact that gambling advertisements are ubiquitous, and that the issue of problem gambling can’t be properly addressed without including certain advertising restrictions or changes.

They want to change how gambling companies advertise their services and limit who can see these advertisements. Their suggestions focused on the following areas:

• Limit how many gambling ads can be shown before the watershed (9 PM for free-to-air television and 8 PM for pay-per-view).
• Strengthen the rules concerning adverts that may appeal to an underage audience.
• Change the type and frequency of gambling promotions and bonuses.
• Ensure that advertising standards are met across the board, particularly in relation to social media.
• Tighten restrictions that govern sports advertising, sponsorships, and endorsements.

Public Information Campaigns

The letter also drew parallels between the harms of smoking and the harms of gambling, noting that while the former is understood by the general public, the latter is not. They suggested that the government needs to run public information campaigns to raise awareness about gambling-related suicide.

The changes, they suggest, should occur at all levels, including among coroners investigating causes of death.

Land-Based Gambling

The letter mainly discussed online gambling, but it also touched upon some issues about how land-based casinos and sportsbooks operate. It raised concerns about the commonality of gambling establishments in low-income areas, suggesting that operators are targeting the most deprived members of society. 

The onus, it suggests, is on the local authorities tasked with licensing these operators, further stating that these authorities should receive clear guidelines and support during the licensing process.

Will This Change the Gambling Industry?

It’s still too early to say whether this letter will have any impact on gambling regulations in the UK. It’s fair to assume that something will happen, as we’ve already witnessed various changes and the government is under a lot of pressure to reduce the harms of problem gambling. If new changes are introduced, however, it’s more likely that operators and not players will assume responsibility.

We may see changes in how gambling companies are allowed to advertise their products and services, as well as restrictions on promotions and bonus offers. Only time will tell, but it seems that the UK government is tightening its grip on the gambling sector, and further restrictions could be incoming.