New Review to Examine If UK Gambling Laws Go Far Enough

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform has opened a new inquiry into the future of gambling regulation in Great Britain, signalling renewed momentum in tackling gambling-related harm as a public health issue.

Running through 12 September, the inquiry will gather evidence to assess the adequacy of existing policies, with a particular focus on aligning regulation with the digital age. The APPG aims to evaluate the full spectrum of gambling activity—both online and land-based—and to determine whether more robust legislative reform is necessary.

Scope of Inquiry

The inquiry will examine the suitability of current UK gambling laws and how these intersect with broader policy areas, including public health, financial services, the economy, and taxation. Central to the review are measures proposed in the 2023 Gambling Act white paper, such as:

• A statutory levy on gambling operators
• Stake limits for online slot games
• Financial risk checks for consumers
• The establishment of an independent industry ombudsman

The APPG will also scrutinize the role and performance of the Gambling Commission, as well as other regulatory bodies involved in harm prevention and consumer protection.

One of the more contentious topics will be gambling advertising, which remains under intense scrutiny from both public health advocates and regulators.

The APPG is chaired by Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a Conservative MP and longtime advocate for stricter gambling oversight. Duncan Smith also led the group’s prior inquiry into the 2023 white paper. Speaking on the current inquiry, he said that while recent reforms marked progress, the regulatory framework still falls short in addressing the scale and complexity of harm.

“It is clear that much more needs to be done to ensure our regulatory framework is fit for the digital age to protect people from harm,” he stated. “This inquiry will play a crucial role in shaping our recommendations to government.” Alex Ballinger, Labour MP and vice chair of the APPG, echoed the need for further reform, saying the inquiry will ask whether the time has come for a new Gambling Act altogether.

Today’s gambling industry requires stronger and more effective regulation across a range of areas—from advertising and taxation to the future of land-based gambling.

Historical Context and Influence

The newly constituted APPG follows the work of its predecessor, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, which was chaired by MP Carolyn Harris. Under her leadership, the group pushed for several reforms later reflected in the 2023 white paper. At the time, Harris warned that substantial changes to the industry were inevitable—an assessment that proved prescient. The reformed APPG now seeks to build on that legacy by inviting expert testimony and public submissions over the next two months.

The inquiry comes amid parallel calls for reform from the Health and Social Care Committee, which in May urged the Department of Health to intensify efforts to curb gambling harm and conduct a second review of the Gambling Act. However, those recommendations have faced pushback from industry figures, including Gambling Commission CEO Tim Miller, who criticized the committee’s findings as poorly presented and potentially misleading.

Despite these tensions, the growing consensus across parliamentary groups suggests mounting political pressure to overhaul gambling regulation.

What’s Next

The APPG will hold a series of evidence sessions over the summer before presenting its findings in the autumn. Stakeholders, including public health experts, academics, industry representatives, and affected individuals, are being encouraged to submit evidence by the 12 September deadline.

The outcome of the inquiry could shape future legislation and determine whether the UK moves toward a more stringent and modernized regulatory environment for gambling.