Betting and Gaming horizon scanning: UK regulatory roadmap: Summer 2024 edition

In April 2023, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published a "blank book" outlining the government's plans to modernize the regulation of the gambling sector.

One of the main proposals was the introduction of a limit on the maximum bet amount for online games on slots. Currently, online slots have no restrictions on commissions, in contrast to the bet and winnings limits set for land-based slot machines.

The government consulted on a number of proposals, which it said were in line with the goal of fair regulation of the online and land-based gambling sectors, while at the same time eliminating the risks associated with high commissions on online slots.

During the consultation, 98 responses were received from a number of stakeholders, and on 23 February 2024, the government published its response, which stopped at the following:

• Limit the maximum rate of a spin for adults aged 25 and over to £5.
• Limit the maximum rate of a spin for adults aged 18-24 to £2.

For more information, see this article. The introduction of a limit on the maximum bet amount for online slots has been expected for several years, and while the introduction of a £5 limit would seem to ensure parity with the land-based sector, critics of the change would mark an improved defense for players who have been exploited online. Following the various advisory proposals originating from the White Book, many operators have taken various measures to ensure player safety, such as the introduction of betting limits. Despite the main purpose of such offers being to reduce the risk of harm to players, there are widespread concerns that at-risk customers will simply go to unregulated markets where they can be easily accessed. Operators must now focus on making the necessary changes to comply with the new regulations.

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• On May 1, 2024, the Gambling Commission published its response to the Summer 2023 consultation. (a) improving customer choice regarding direct marketing, (b) strengthening age testing within premises, (c) new games for game design, (d) verification of financial vulnerability and financial risk assessment, (e) human resource management licensing, and (e) changes to the regulatory board.

A brief summary of the responses to the European Commission's consultation can be found below:

Improvement of consumer selection in direct marketing

All customers (including existing customers) must agree to receive direct advertising, any channel or any product. Appropriate channels include telephone, e-mail, text message (no special consent for push notifications, mail, and fax). Related products include bookmakers, casinos, bingo (attached to the contents covered by each product category). This configuration comes into effect on January 17, 2025 and can be used immediately by new customers. As with existing buyers, operators need to actually approve advertising preferences when these buyers log in to the system for the first time and trigger requests. If the consent column is provided to the buyer, it is necessary to "uncheck".

Indoor age test

Since August 30, 2024, Licensei must implement the staff under the age of 25 (not under the age of 21, which is required in real time) to confirm the age of customers.

Game design

After January 17, 2025: A 5-second speed limit will be introduced in no n-slot games. All online game products are not allowed to play. Operators cannot provide a function that players can play a certain number of games at the same time (that is, the operator cannot provide two roulette games and two black jack games by buyers at the same time). In addition, there are several other changes (not so important).

Economic Vulnerability Test (FVC) and Financial Risk Evaluation (FRA)

FVC: From August 30, 2024, the operator must carry out a "light" FVC based on a clear deposit of £ 500 for each 3 0-day stage. After February 28, 2025, the threshold will be reduced to a settled deposit amount of 150 every 30 days. In the FVC test, test information that is generally available (for example, whether or not a customer is in bankruptcy procedure or an unpaid debt). The European Commission has abandoned the intention to check FVC in the postal item and position. It is not necessary to perform the FVC test again after the FVC test is completed 12 months later.

FPRA: At the end of August 2024, a pilot planning for the largest business of England to determine the effectiveness / proportion of using different types of data.

PML explanation

The Civil Code introduces the LCCP structure and clarifies that the PML must actually belong to a general or director (or equivalent). The chairman of the board will also be required to hold a PML, unless appointed on a time-limited basis (whether considered an executive or non-executive chairman in this regard). The key person in charge of AML/CTF will also be required to hold a PML.

Legal Panel

The Civil Code decided not to pursue the proposed structure as part of the Regulatory Commission.

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• The Gambling Commission has published data reflecting the composition of gambling behaviour in England from the third quarter of 2022-2023 to the third quarter of 2023-2024. The data was obtained from operators and includes internet and full event in licensed bookmaking operations (LBOs).

According to the data, gross gambling revenue (GGY) in Q3 2023 increased 4% year-on-year to £1. 3 billion. Recurring bets/spins continued to grow by 9%, while average monthly intensive accounts increased by 2%. Real action GGY bets increased 5% year-on-year to £468 million. Slots GGY increased 6% year-on-year to £618 million, while spins increased by 11%. However, online slots game session time decreased on average. LBO GGY increased less notably by 0. 5% to £563 million, ignoring the 4% decrease in total bets and spins.

The data obtained shows that the proportion of online gambling, especially slots and real action betting, is steadily increasing. A decrease in the average game session duration in online slots could indicate a more serious attitude towards gambling or effective measures taken by the operator to provide a more risk-free playing session. A slight extension of the LBO GGY that does not address the decrease in the number of bets or spins could indicate an increase in the price of individual bets or a change in the customer's gambling model.

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• The Independent Education Programme for Gambling in England by Dr Patrick Rodzhis of LSE was published in February. He confirmed the study and called it 'in all respects'. You can learn about the absolute words of the report here.

However, the Gambling Committee actually mentioned that Dr. Strages had previously referred to the process of developing a new GSGB research on his betting in other nuances of his evaluation. Lodge's evaluation also stated that GSGB's trial research was actually given a significant evaluation of gambling illness and harm more than previously placed research. He said: "I realize that the politicians are actually quite risky in the highest consciousness of gambling illness and the evaluation of the harm in the new research. It is obliged to touch them with smooth precautionary measures, in fact, they exaggerate the illness of gambling in the population and the true degree of the harm from them. Dr. Radis also advised the GSGB data in the future to check the GSGB data. It seems to be.

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• The Gambling Committee has announced a thre e-year strategy to improve gambling adjustment, gives leaders in data based on data, strengthens the leading operational function, and is recognized based on precedents. We made various claims. This strategy links faster, no n-definition, more free, more a crim e-free gambling environment, and to succeed in coordinating national lotteries. The strategy defines how the committee implements government reforms planned in gambling white paper. The new innovative middle of the data has been created, the permeability has increased, and creative adjustments have been used to fight illegal traders. As an example, the current status of English gambling in England, saying that the committee wants to apply new data and mental information.

In general, the industry is in line with the promises of committees to ensure a gambling environment without a conscientious, no n-GAS and no crime, and is actually required to freeze more colorlessly. Masu. Importing accurate claims to Licensee based on confirmation may mean the necessity of help research.

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• On March 27, 2024, the European Commission announced a personal answer to an advisory on one (relatively trivial) issue. The European Commission has approved that all licensors (regardless of the size of the scale) are required to publish statements on regulations since July 1, 2024. (Before that, some small licensors were required to issue reports for regulatory authorities on a daily basis).

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• Andrew Rose gave a speech on February 29 at the BGC Annual Shareholders' Meeting. Rhodes said in the near future that the European Commission would focus on the "2nd, 3rd, and 4th businesses."

The European Committee understands that the actual profit margin (RTP) has declined in many gambling operators and products, and in fact, a complaint on the restrictions on play and fund drawers. Is receiving.

We are actually waiting in England, and the number of law executions for small and mediu m-sized businesses will increase.

It is unknown whether he believes that it will happen (even if it does not happen at all) in his comments on RTP-he basically only understands this. be. He actually wants to see how the operator is attached to his efforts in order to the customer in order to belong to customers who have any opportunities to encounter and restricts. I think, "I think," I think many buyers actually have a feeling of A emotions, and all tests they have to go are related to accessibility. Operators are checks for customers. Reviewing the restrictions and believes that it is clear and accurate, and on March 27, 2024, a personal answer on one (relatively trivial) problem. The European Commission has approved that all licensors (regardless of size) will make a statement on regulations since July 1, 2024. A small licenser in the department was required to issue a report for regulatory authorities on a daily basis.

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