Call for evidence outcome

Call for evidence: Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures

From:: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Tracey Crouch, The Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP and The Rt Hon Lord Ashton of Hyde
Published: 24 October 2016
Last updated: 31 October 2017 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Read the full outcome

Responses to the call for evidence: Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures

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Detail of outcome

Following the call for evidence we published our proposals for consultation on 31st October 2017 which can be found at the following link.

Responses from industry/trade groups, local authorities, interest groups, charities, faith groups, academics and parliamentarians to the call for evidence are provided above. Some respondents have requested redactions and we have also redacted some details to comply with data protection requirements. Some respondents have requested their response is not published or permission to publish has not been granted at time of publication. Subsequent permission may be given and their responses will be added along with a note on this page. Responses from the general public are also not included.

Original call for evidence

Call for evidence description

We are reviewing these areas with the aim of striking the right balance between enabling socially responsible growth across the industry and the protection of consumers and communities, including those who are just about managing.

Through this call for evidence, the Government is seeking views on the following areas:

Maximum stakes and prizes for all categories of gaming machines permitted under the Gambling Act 2005;
Allocations of gaming machines permitted in all licensed premises under the Gambling Act 2005; and
For the industry as a whole, including but not limited to gaming machines, social responsibility measures to minimise the risk of gambling related harm. This includes looking at gambling advertising to understand whether we have the right measures in place to ensure that the young and vulnerable are protected.

This call for evidence will run for 6 weeks and will close on 4th December 2016, following which the Government will consider proposals.

Made by: Tracey Crouch (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

I wish to inform the House that on 24th October 2016, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has published a terms of reference and a call for evidence for a review of gaming machines and social responsibility requirements across the gambling industry.

The review will be considering robust evidence on the appropriate maximum stakes and prizes for gaming machines across all premises licensed under the Gambling Act 2005; the number and location of gaming machines across all licensed premises; and social responsibility measures to protect players from gambling-related harm (including whether there is evidence on the impacts of gambling advertising and whether the right rules are in place to protect children and vulnerable people).

The review will include a close look at the issue of B2 gaming machines (more commonly known as Fixed Odds Betting Terminals - FOBTs) and specific concerns about the harm they cause, be that to the player or the communities in which they are located.

In launching this review I want to ensure that legislation strikes the right balance between allowing the industry to grow and contribute to the economy whilst ensuring consumers and communities are protected, including those who are just about managing.

The call for evidence period will close on 4 December, following which Government will consider proposals based on robust evidence provided to assist in our decisions.

Relevant documents have been published on the gov.uk website and copies will be deposited in the libraries of both houses.

Documents