Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Swansea East)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much his Department plans to spend on (a) assessments, (b) referrals and (c) support for (i) offenders and (ii) victims who are affected by harmful gambling in the 2024-25 financial year.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
This information is not held centrally.
The Ministry of Justice does not hold data on the number of persons arrested by the police. No national estimate has been made. Probation staff assess individual needs and can assist with referrals to local or national services to address gambling or to access debt counselling services where appropriate. In custody, all prisoners are seen by NHS healthcare on reception and can be referred to addiction services to help address problem gambling.
HMPPS are also working with NHS and other partners to better understand the evidence around gambling addiction. This will inform a more joined up, cross system approach to effective support and recovery.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will have discussions with banks on (a) limits on spending for gambling addicts and (b) issuing loans to gambling addicts.
Answered by Bim Afolami - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the important role banks and other financial services can play in supporting efforts to tackle gambling related harm.
Around 90% of retail bank accounts and an increasing number of payment providers now offer opt-in gambling blocks, which can be used to manage customers’ gambling spend. The Government welcomes industry-led improvements to these tools. For example, we are aware some providers have made the gambling management tools more customisable, allowing customers to set gambling spending limits or block all transactions entirely.
Regarding loans to people with gambling addictions, protecting vulnerable consumers is a key priority for the Government and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates the consumer credit market. Under FCA rules, firms undertaking creditworthiness assessments must assess whether a customer will repay, but also the customer’s ability to repay affordably and without significantly affecting their wider financial situation.
Officials meet regularly with the FCA and banks to discuss these issues.
In April 2020, the Gambling Commission also introduced a ban on using credit cards to gamble to help minimise the risk of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have.
Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, (b) the Gambling Commission and (c) the Financial Conduct Authority on the regulation of crypto-based products and services.
Answered by Richard Fuller
Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
The Cryptoasset Taskforce, comprising HM Treasury, the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), continues to monitor ongoing development in cryptoasset markets, and is taking forward a range of regulatory measures to mitigate market integrity risks, protect consumers and support innovation in the cryptoasset market.
Since January 2020, cryptoasset firms operating in the UK have been subject to the Money Laundering Regulations. To protect consumers, on 18 January 2022, the government set out its intention to legislate later this year to bring certain cryptoassets into financial promotion regulation. This would ensure that relevant cryptoasset promotions are held to the same high standards for fairness, clarity and accuracy that exist in the financial services industry. Additionally, on the 20 July, the government introduced the Financial Services and Markets Bill, which includes a measure allowing HM Treasury to bring stablecoins, where used as a means of payment, within the UK regulatory perimeter.
The government has committed to consult later this year on the broader regulation of cryptoassets.
Asked by: Baroness Buscombe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what engagement (1) the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and (2) the Gambling Commission, has had with (a) the Ministry of Defence, (b) the Home Office, and (c) the security services, ahead of the announcement on 15 March that Allwyn Entertainment UK was the Preferred Applicant for the fourth National Lottery licence; and whether the Ministry of Defence or the Home Office have approached either DCMS or the Gambling Commission in response to the announcement.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Gambling Commission is responsible for running the competition for the fourth National Lottery licence. Under the National Lottery Act 1993, the Commission must ensure that any person who either runs or benefits from the running of the National Lottery is fit and proper and that the Licensee’s operation meets high standards of propriety.
Fit and proper checks examine the identity, integrity, criminality and financial standing of those who run, or benefit from running, the National Lottery, or are applying to do so. As part of its duties under the Act, the Commission cannot award the licence unless it is satisfied that the proposed licensee is fit and proper. The Commission is required to revoke a licence if it becomes satisfied that the licensee is no longer, or indeed never was, fit and proper.
In addition, following the announcement of Allwyn as the preferred applicant in March 2022, standard vetting checks (Baseline Personnel Security Standard or BPSS level) are being carried out, on behalf of the Commission, by UK Security Vetting on key people connected with the proposal. These include Qualifying Direct Shareholders, which is any person who holds at least 5% interest in the licensee.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what sanctions the Ofcom can impose on advertisers referred to them by the Advertising Standards Agency for consistently breaking advertising standards.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is responsible for writing and enforcing standards for advertisers through the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (BCAP Code) and the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code). In certain areas of these codes the ASA can refer cases to a number of different backstop regulators who have additional enforcement powers. The regulators that can be involved depend on the media in which advertising is published or the type of breach in question.
The ASA’s responsibility for the day-to-day regulation of broadcast advertising content is established under a co-regulatory arrangement with Ofcom. Ofcom can take enforcement action, such as sanctions, against broadcasters who do not comply with ASA decisions and/or where breaches are sufficiently serious.
For non-broadcast advertising, including newspapers, magazines, out of home and the majority of online advertising, the self-regulatory framework primarily applies to advertisers. Where further powers of enforcement have been deemed necessary, the ASA is able to refer certain cases to relevant statutory backstop regulators, such as to the Gambling Commission in the case of gambling advertising, the Competition and Markets Authority in relation to competition in digital markets, and to Trading Standards Services for misleading advertising. Those organisations are able to apply sanctions in line with their respective legislative powers.
Separately, as a result of the Health and Care Act, from 1 January 2024, Ofcom will have the power to sanction broadcasters and online advertisers that breach restrictions surrounding the advertising of products high in fat, sugar or salt on TV or via paid-for advertising online. Ofcom will have statutory responsibility for enforcing restrictions including powers to designate functions to a frontline regulator who will be responsible for the day to day enforcement of the policy. Ofcom will be able to take enforcement action, including the imposition of financial penalties on broadcasters and online advertisers.
The Government consultation on the Online Advertising Programme launched earlier this year and closed on 8 June. The Online Advertising Programme is examining the regulatory model for online advertising to ensure it protects consumers and minimises harm. This work includes looking at the role of platforms and intermediaries, as well as advertisers, to ensure the overarching system is coherent, supporting a sustainable, transparent and accountable online advertising market. We will be publishing a Government response to the consultation in due course.
Asked by: Alex Davies-Jones (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Gambling Commission took to vet national lottery license applicants during the national lottery license application process, including whether they communicated with and sought assurances from UK and other financial regulators, and UK and other security and police services.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
The competition to operate the 4th National Lottery licence is run by the Gambling Commission. In accordance with the relevant legislation, the decision to appoint Allwyn as the preferred bidder was made by the Commission’s Board. DCMS and Ministers have not been involved in the decision making process, nor have they discussed or corresponded with the Commission about who the licence should be awarded to.
We do not have any plans to publish correspondence between the Department and the Gambling Commission.
It is the Gambling Commission’s responsibility to regulate the National Lottery and appoint a licensee that will operate the National Lottery with all due propriety. To satisfy this duty, fit and proper checks were carried out during the competition and will be maintained throughout the transition and licence term. These checks consider the identity, integrity, criminality and financial integrity of those operating or benefitting from the National Lottery (or applying to do so) and include enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Where an individual was based overseas, checks were carried out against information provided by the relevant police report. In addition, the Commission reviewed the funding structures for all applicants, including Allwyn, and is satisfied that no sanctioned entities are involved in funding the proposed licensee.
Standard vetting checks (BPSS level - Baseline Personnel Security Standard) are being carried out by UK Security Vetting on key people connected with the preferred applicant’s proposal. These include Qualifying Direct Shareholders, which is any person that holds at least 5% interest in the Licensee. This vetting process has already started and is expected to take 8 – 10 weeks to complete. Full details of what is included in a BPSS level check is outlined on the UKSV website.
Asked by: Alex Davies-Jones (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on what date the provisional new organisation to take over the National Lottery, Allwyn, will begin the UK secure vetting process; how long that process will take; and whether that process includes discussions with UK and foreign security and police services.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
The competition to operate the 4th National Lottery licence is run by the Gambling Commission. In accordance with the relevant legislation, the decision to appoint Allwyn as the preferred bidder was made by the Commission’s Board. DCMS and Ministers have not been involved in the decision making process, nor have they discussed or corresponded with the Commission about who the licence should be awarded to.
We do not have any plans to publish correspondence between the Department and the Gambling Commission.
It is the Gambling Commission’s responsibility to regulate the National Lottery and appoint a licensee that will operate the National Lottery with all due propriety. To satisfy this duty, fit and proper checks were carried out during the competition and will be maintained throughout the transition and licence term. These checks consider the identity, integrity, criminality and financial integrity of those operating or benefitting from the National Lottery (or applying to do so) and include enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Where an individual was based overseas, checks were carried out against information provided by the relevant police report. In addition, the Commission reviewed the funding structures for all applicants, including Allwyn, and is satisfied that no sanctioned entities are involved in funding the proposed licensee.
Standard vetting checks (BPSS level - Baseline Personnel Security Standard) are being carried out by UK Security Vetting on key people connected with the preferred applicant’s proposal. These include Qualifying Direct Shareholders, which is any person that holds at least 5% interest in the Licensee. This vetting process has already started and is expected to take 8 – 10 weeks to complete. Full details of what is included in a BPSS level check is outlined on the UKSV website.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which companies have been served by the Gambling Commission with fines in excess of £100,000 since April 2018.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Gambling Commission can fine a gambling operator if a licence condition has been breached. In some circumstances, the Commission may decide to agree a regulatory settlement instead of issuing a fine. While fines are paid to the exchequer, regulatory settlements are divested by the company to third parties.
Since April 2018, the Gambling Commission has imposed financial penalties in excess of £100,000 on 46 operators. These include both fines and regulatory settlements where an operator has admitted fault and made a payment in lieu of a fine, at a level agreed with the Commission. Regulatory action is published on the Commission’s website here.
Fines
Date | Name | Fine (£) |
17/12/2021 | Genesis Global Limited | £3,769,920 |
19/11/2021 | Buzz Group Limited | £780,000 |
02/09/21 | EU Lotto Limited | £760,000 |
02/07/21 | Daub Alderney Limited | £5,850,000 |
08/03/21 | In Touch Games Limited | £3,400,000 |
03/03/21 | Casumo Services Limited | £6,005,000 |
01/02/21 | A & S Leisure Group Limited | £377,340 |
27/10/20 | Aspers (Stratford City) Limited | £652,500 |
26/10/20 | BoyleSports | £2,800,000 |
17/02/20 | Triplebet Limited | £739,099 |
03/04/19 | Bestbet Limited | £230,972 |
17/01/19 | Silverbond Enterprises Limited | £1,800,000 |
06/11/18 | Casumo Services Limited | £5,850,000 |
06/11/18 | Daub Alderney Limited | £7,100,000 |
Regulatory settlements
Date | Name | Payment in lieu (£) | Divestment (£) |
20/01/2022 | Annexio (Jersey) Limited | £612,000 | N/A |
20/01/2022 | Rank Digital Gaming (Alderney) Limited | £700,557 | N/A |
2/12/2021 | Greentube Alderney Limited | £685,000 | N/A |
13/10/21 | VGC Leeds Limited | £209,000 | £241,000 |
30/03/21 | Double Diamond Gaming Limited | £247,000 | N/A |
30/03/21 | Les Croupiers Casino Limited | £202,500 | N/A |
30/03/21 | Shaftesbury Casino Limited | £260,000 | N/A |
30/03/21 | Clockfair Limited | £260,000 | N/A |
28/01/21 | White Hat Gaming Limited | £1,344,053.18 | N/A |
28/10/20 | Netbet Enterprises Limited | £748,000 | N/A |
28/10/20 | GAN (UK) Limited | £100,000 | £46,754 |
28/10/20 | BGO Entertainment Limited | £2,000,000 | N/A |
06/05/20 | FSB Technology (UK) Limited | £600,000 | N/A |
02/04/20 | Caesars Entertainment Limited Group | £13,000,000 | N/A |
12/03/20 | Betway Limited | £5,800,000 | £5,800,000 |
27/02/20 | Mr Green Limited | £3,000,000 | N/A |
10/10/19 | Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited | £182,000 | £140,000 |
31/07/19 | Ladbrokes Betting & Gaming Limited | £4,800,000 | £1,100,000 |
11/07/19 | Casino 36 Limited | £152,259 | £147,741 |
13/06/19 | Platinum Gaming Limited | £990,200 | £629,420 |
12/06/19 | Gamesys Operations Limited | £690,000 | £460,472 |
15/05/19 | In Touch Games Limited | £2,200,000 | N/A |
15/05/19 | Betit Operations Limited | £1,400,000 | N/A |
15/05/19 | MT SecureTrade Limited | £592,333 | £107,667 |
29/11/18 | Videoslots Limited | £1,000,000 | N/A |
16/10/18 | TSE Malta LP | £910,993 | £95,444 |
16/10/18 | Power Leisure Bookmakers Limited | £190,760 | £95,380 |
16/10/18 | PPB Entertainment Limited | £349,762 | £174,881 |
16/10/18 | Paddy Power Holdings Limited | £265,606 | £132,803 |
10/10/18 | Rank Digital Gaming (Alderney) Limited | £500,000 | N/A |
10/10/18 | Grosvenor Casinos (GC) Limited | £500,000 | N/A |
Asked by: Ronnie Cowan (Scottish National Party - Inverclyde)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate the Government has made of the value of front-of-shirt football team sponsorships by cryptocurrency platforms.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
I am aware of the growth in commercial partnerships between cryptocurrencies and professional sport. On 18 January 2022, the government set out its intention to legislate later this year to bring certain cryptoassets into financial promotion regulation. The FCA has also publicly consulted on its detailed rules for the regime. This would ensure that relevant cryptoasset promotions are held to the same high standards for fairness, clarity and accuracy that pertain in the financial services industry.
Cryptocurrencies are not within the legal definition of gambling in themselves and therefore are not in scope of the Gambling Act Review.
Asked by: Ronnie Cowan (Scottish National Party - Inverclyde)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential risks of sports sponsorship by cryptocurrency platforms.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
I am aware of the growth in commercial partnerships between cryptocurrencies and professional sport. On 18 January 2022, the government set out its intention to legislate later this year to bring certain cryptoassets into financial promotion regulation. The FCA has also publicly consulted on its detailed rules for the regime. This would ensure that relevant cryptoasset promotions are held to the same high standards for fairness, clarity and accuracy that pertain in the financial services industry.
Cryptocurrencies are not within the legal definition of gambling in themselves and therefore are not in scope of the Gambling Act Review.