Online gaming entrepreneur Stewart Kenny, one of the co-founders of Paddy Power, advocates for stricter regulation of online slots to curb potential harms and protect vulnerable individuals.
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Stewart Kenny, ex-Paddy Power co-founder, blasts the UK's impending online slot laws, claiming they're way off the mark in addressing gambling addictions. In a BBC Radio 4 broadcast, Kenny stridently argued that while stake limitations are a decent start, they fall short in shielding the more susceptible players.
In April 2025, UK citizens over 25 will face a £5 per spin cap, whereas younger players, ages 18 to 24, will be constrained to £2 per spin from May. The revisions to the 2005 Gambling Act are aimed at taming the rampant online betting menace, yet Kenny furiously charges that the rapid pace of online slots remains a primary culprit in fueling gambling addictions.
Kenny, who parted ways with Flutter Entertainment's board back in 2016, took the gambling industry to task for careless attitude towards player safety. Despite acknowledging gambling as a personal choice, he remains uneasy about the enticement of excessive play in online casinos. "The gap between investment and results is only seconds, which means punters can repeat the dose at high speed," Kenny stated in the documentary, further criticizing operators for marketing enticements like free spins on slots to lure sports bettors.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport came to bat for the new regulations, citing previous reforms such as longer spin times and elimination of autoplay and quick spin options. But Kenny insists regulators should focus on dismantling the addictive aspects of slots rather than relying solely on stake limits.
Slot profits reached a staggering £709 million ($919.7 million) by December 2024, reflecting a 15% annual increase, while spin activity grew by 9%, hitting 23.9 billion spins in the last quarter. While Kenny continues to appreciate horse and greyhound racing for being less addictive, he remains vehemently critical of the industry's slot promotion tactics.
"There's a balance here. If you want to bet, you should be allowed to bet. It's a free society. So you don't want to interfere with people's entertainment too much. It's so easy to blame the betting companies. This is a matter for legislators," Kenny asserted.
Flutter Entertainment defended its stance, stating the gambling landscape has changed since Kenny's departure and outlining proactive measures such as deposit limits for under-25s and voluntary £10 slot caps. The Betting and Gaming Council also defended the industry, claiming that 22.5 million British citizens gamble responsibly each month.
With Kenny's call for increased regulations, the debate rages on. The industry may take serious note as his reform agenda could influence future policy discussions. At the heart of this tumultuous fray collides Kenny's insistence that the time has come for regulators to focus on revamping the foundational game design elements of slots in order to foster responsible, entertaining, and safer online gambling.
- Stewart Kenny, in his critique, highlights the need for UK regulators to consider revamping the addictive aspects of casino-gaming, such as slots, to promote responsible gambling, as he believes the current focus on stake limitations is insufficient.
- Kenny, in a BBC Radio 4 broadcast, pointed out that the rapid pace of online gaming trends, including free spins on slots, are primary contributors to gambling addictions, and he argues that regulators should address these trends in their efforts to address problem gambling.
