Campaign: Gambling data
We’re calling for the Gambling Commission, the industry’s regulator, to make better use of operator data in its efforts to regulate the sector.
The Government’s Gambling White Paper set in motion plans to tighten regulation and provide the Commission with greater resource - which is great news.
But many of the proposals so far lack detail and will take too long to deliver.
As the White Paper heads to consultation, the next few months will be critical to ensure that proposals don’t get watered down - and that the Commission is ultimately able to collect the data it needs from industry to reduce gambling-related harms.
What’s the problem?
The gambling industry is powered by data, but regulators have failed to keep pace with change. Recent years have seen:
Rapid technological change: The rise of mobile and online gaming means that gambling is now one of our most data-driven industries.
Catastrophic harm - There is growing evidence of serious harm being caused by addictive online and mobile gaming.
Failure to regulate effectively: Despite the vast amount of data collected by operators, it’s widely acknowledged that the Gambling Commission isn’t using data effectively to monitor or prevent harms.
We’re therefore delighted to see the White Paper take gambling data seriously. The proposals show a commitment to using data as a means of regulation, and the Commission will consult on mandatory data sharing between online operators for high-risk customers to coordinate on harm prevention.
Unfortunately, some of these proposals are vague on exactly what data the regulator will ask for. And the additional resource capacity of the regulator appears to be conditional on a review of licence fees, which will only take place in 2024 - so it’s hard to envisage any real progress in the immediate future.
The opportunity
We think the Commission could be doing more without having to wait for further consultations.
The Commission already has powers to require more data from operators. And doing so would not be particularly burdensome for operators, who are already required to collect customer data on certain indicators of harm - but are not currently made to report it.
Publications
Written and oral evidence: National Lottery
December 2021
We provided written and oral evidence to the DCMS Committee's inquiry on the future of the National Lottery.
We recommend that the Gambling Commission should collect better data on Lottery play and potential harms, to protect gamblers.
What needs to happen now?
With around 60 areas of the White Paper entering further consultation, it’s vital that the Government’s proposals are properly scrutinised and that commitments aren’t being forgotten along the way.
Our task is to make sure the Government keeps to its word and places industry data at the heart of its regulatory approach.
If you want to support our work on this campaign, please get in touch at contact@centreforpublicdata.org.