In a recent address at the Global Gaming Expo on 10 October, Tim Miller, the executive director of the UK Gambling Commission, emphasised the importance of international collaboration among regulators. He believes that a united front from global gambling regulators can amplify their impact and contribute to a safer environment for consumers by curbing illegal gambling activities.Miller highlighted that customer protection was a central theme of the Gambling Act review white paper, which was unveiled in April of this year. He said, “The collective voice of gambling regulators across the globe pressuring big tech companies, banks, and even some jurisdictions to address the role they play in facilitating illegal gambling will be much harder to dismiss.”Post the publication of the white paper, which proposed over 60 recommendations for the industry, Miller indicated that the Commission’s focus would be largely on the policies outlined in the document. The first round of consultations, which began in July, is set to conclude on 18 October. These consultations address various aspects, including financial risk, online game design, consumer choice on direct marketing, and enhancing age verification in physical venues. The Commission has reportedly received a multitude of responses.
Inconsistent Regulations
Miller also touched upon the disparities in regulations across different jurisdictions. He noted that an operator might be deemed legal in one region and illegal in another. He stressed the importance of mutual understanding and sharing of best practices among regulators to enhance their effectiveness.Highlighting the Commission’s achievements over the past year, Miller mentioned their collaboration with various industry tools and services to combat illegal gambling. He proudly shared, “Through engagement and collaboration with payment providers, internet search providers, and product and games developers, we have achieved a 46% reduction in traffic to the largest illegal sites targeting the British market.”Miller also shed light on the Commission’s enforcement actions over the past year, particularly mentioning the significant penalties imposed on Entain and William Hill. Both companies faced hefty fines for a series of failures.While acknowledging the progress made domestically, Miller emphasised the global nature of the gambling industry and the need for international collaboration among regulators. He revealed, “We are also close to concluding several Memoranda of Understanding with US regulators to establish clear working relationships that will support all of us to be more effective.”