Asked by: Owen Thompson (Scottish National Party - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent progress her Department has made on its review of the Gambling Act 2005.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Government is working at pace with the Gambling Commission, industry and others to deliver the white paper.
The Government recently confirmed plans for the introduction of stake limits for online slots games, and last week published our plans for reforms to the land-based sector.
The Gambling Commission have also confirmed proposals for a range of measures, including financial risk checks and strengthened protections on direct marketing.
Asked by: Owen Thompson (Scottish National Party - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what information her Department holds on the number of fixed-odds betting terminals there were in Midlothian constituency in each of the last five years.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Fixed-odds betting terminals refer to Category B2 gaming machines. In April 2019, the maximum stakes on these machines were reduced from £100 to £2. Following this reduction in maximum stakes there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of physical B2 machines in operation. The Gambling Commission’s industry statistics indicate that from April 2020 to March 2023 there were zero Category B2 gaming machines in operation across Great Britain.
Asked by: Owen Thompson (Scottish National Party - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what information her Department holds on the level of gambling addiction in Midlothian constituency in each of the last five years.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
DCMS does not hold data on the level of gambling-related harm for individual constituencies.
Asked by: Owen Thompson (Scottish National Party - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing free TV licences for those suffering from dementia.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
TV Licence concessions are available to people who are registered blind or severely sight impaired, people living in qualifying residential care who are disabled or over 60 years old, and people aged 75 and over in receipt of Pension Credit. There are no further concessions available for people with disabilities or other health conditions. The licence fee settlement covers the period until 31 March 2028.
Asked by: Owen Thompson (Scottish National Party - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the games industry on tackling harms from loot boxes.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The Government undertook a call for evidence from September to November 2020 to examine concerns around loot boxes in video games. We are continuing to consider the evidence from more than 30,000 responses that we received, along with an independent Rapid Evidence Assessment commissioned from the InGAME research and innovation centre.
We have continued a dialogue with the games industry to address issues identified from the loot box call for evidence. We will publish the government’s response to the call for evidence in the coming months.
Asked by: Owen Thompson (Scottish National Party - Midlothian)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when her Department plans to publish its response to the Loot Boxes in Video Games consultation.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The Government undertook a call for evidence from September to November 2020 to examine concerns around loot boxes in video games. We are continuing to consider the evidence from more than 30,000 responses that we received, along with an independent Rapid Evidence Assessment commissioned from the InGAME research and innovation centre.
We have continued a dialogue with the games industry to address issues identified from the loot box call for evidence. We will publish the government’s response to the call for evidence in the coming months.