UK Gambling Act Review Delay due to the Uncertainty of Boris Johnson’s Future

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is barely out of the news of late with scandal after scandal, causing a rift amongst conservative party MPs.

The review of the current Gambling Act 2005 was launched in 2020 after the Department for Digital, Culture, Media (DCMS) and Sports deemed the act out of date amid fears over gambling addictions and the exposure of children to gambling.

Unease in Parliament

The white paper was due to be released towards the end of 2021 but was later postponed until the beginning of 2022. However, the current unease amongst parliamentary members is causing a major impact on the Gambling Act review.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group Chair Carolyn Harris said, “Of course, time must be taken to gather the evidence to ensure the right reforms are put in place, but the gambling review was announced over two years ago.

“Every day of delays leads to further gambling-related harm while the industry rakes in profits – The government must not let its own internal problems stand in the way of much-needed reforms for this country.”

‘Predatory Gambling Industry Practices’

Gambling With Lives co-founder Liz Ritchie said, “Someone takes their life every day in the UK because of gambling, so we simply cannot wait until May to see this white paper. “How many more families need to be shattered by the highly addictive gambling products and predatory gambling industry practices before the government act.”

Ministers admitted last night, drafts of the paper had been submitted but more work on the gambling act needed consideration. With parliament already in disarray, if Boris Johnson is forced to quit the date may be set back further.