Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent steps they have taken to address the issue of problem online gambling; and what measures they plan to implement to protect vulnerable individuals online.

His Majesty’s Government recognises that, while millions of people gamble online without experiencing problems, for some it becomes an addiction with serious consequences. It is particularly important to take steps to protect vulnerable people, including young people, from risks associated with problem online gambling.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport recently published a White Paper following our review of the Gambling Act 2005. This White Paper outlines a range of proportionate measures to tackle practices and products which can drive harm and ensure that people who are at risk of gambling harm and addiction are protected. These include new player protection checks, a stake limit for online slots games, improvements to consumer redress, and a statutory levy on operators to fund research, education and treatment.

We will work with the Gambling Commission and others to bring these measures into force at the earliest possible opportunity. Where further consultations are necessary, our aim is to publish them as quickly as possible.