Industry sources warn reforms are no “silver bullet” and implementation could take years

The UK government is preparing to unveil a long-anticipated reform of gambling regulations, marking the largest overhaul since 2005’s Gambling Act. Scheduled for publication as a White Paper, the measures aim to protect against problem gambling, especially in the growing online sector, by introducing stake limits on online slots and empowering the Gambling Commission to regulate more effectively.

However, many changes will be subject to extended consultations, drawing criticism from industry insiders for potential delays. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer highlights balancing gambling’s economic benefits against its risks, noting that around 300,000 Britons are identified as problem gamblers. Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell criticized the delays, arguing that the overhaul is long overdue to protect vulnerable users from online gambling’s unchecked growth.