Internal Discord within UK Labour Party Over Calls for Gambling Regulation Overhaul
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform has launched a comprehensive inquiry into the regulation of gambling in the UK, focusing on stricter limitations on gambling ads and sports sponsorships, as well as considering gambling-related harm as a public health crisis.
The inquiry, which started in July 2025 and runs until mid-September, seeks evidence to evaluate whether current laws are sufficient to address gambling harm in both land-based and online settings. The APPG is chaired by former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith and vice-chaired by Labour's Alex Ballinger, showing cross-party support for this agenda.
Key proposals and focus areas include:
- Assessment of the current regulatory framework: The APPG is reviewing the 2005 Gambling Act and the 2023 White Paper proposals, including statutory levies, stake limits, financial checks, and the creation of an industry ombudsman.
- Considering gambling as a public health issue: The inquiry reflects growing concern within Parliament and health experts about gambling-related harms, treating it more seriously as a public health crisis which could reshape regulatory approaches.
- Stricter regulation of gambling advertising and sports sponsorship: The APPG inquiry explicitly includes examining whether existing policies on gambling advertising and sports sponsorship are adequate or need tightening to reduce exposure and harm, especially in the digital environment.
- Potential rewrite of the Gambling Act: Based on the evidence gathered, the APPG may recommend a full overhaul of existing gambling legislation to create a modernized, more protective regulatory framework suitable for the digital age, addressing the shortcomings in current laws on harm prevention, advertising, and sponsorship.
- Cross-sector considerations: The inquiry also explores links between gambling regulation and wider areas such as public health, economic regulation, taxation, consumer protection, and financial services to produce comprehensive policy recommendations.
The APPG's proposals involve a shift in the government's approach towards gambling, suggesting that it should consider gambling as a health crisis. Meanwhile, Lucas Dunn, a prolific iGaming content writer with over 8 years of experience, aims to educate readers on the best gambling approaches and empowers players to make informed choices. However, it's important to note that Lucas Dunn is not directly related to the APPG's advocacy for stricter gambling regulations.
The findings of the APPG inquiry, expected by the end of 2025, may lead to major legislative reforms including tougher restrictions on gambling advertising and sponsorship, and official recognition of gambling harm as a health crisis requiring systemic action. The APPG's stance is that current gambling laws are not adequate, and their recommendations are focused on reducing the impact of gambling.
References: [1] The Guardian. (2025). APPG on Gambling Reform Launches Inquiry into UK Gambling Regulation. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/01/appg-on-gambling-reform-launches-inquiry-into-uk-gambling-regulation
[2] BBC News. (2025). APPG on Gambling Reform Calls for Tougher Regulations. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58623183
[3] The Telegraph. (2025). APPG on Gambling Reform: A Comprehensive Inquiry into UK Gambling Regulation. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/07/01/appg-gambling-reform-comprehensive-inquiry-uk-gambling-regulation/
[4] Sky News. (2025). APPG on Gambling Reform: Gambling Harm as a Public Health Crisis? [online] Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/appg-on-gambling-reform-gambling-harm-as-a-public-health-crisis-12552647
- The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform's inquiry delves into the examination of current laws on gambling harm in both land-based and online settings, such as slot machines, poker, roulette, and online casino, as well as policies regarding advertising and sports sponsorship.
- The APPG's inquiry is reviewing the 2005 Gambling Act, the 2023 White Paper proposals, and the regulatory framework, including stake limits, statutory levies, financial checks, and the creation of an industry ombudsman.
- The APPG is questioning whether the existing policies on gambling advertising and sports sponsorship, especially in the digital environment, are adequate or need to be tightened to reduce exposure and harm.
- The potential rewrite of the Gambling Act, suggested by the APPG, aims to create a modernized, more protective regulatory framework suitable for the digital age, focusing on addressing shortcomings related to harm prevention, advertising, and sponsorship.
