Gambling Commission sets out new enforcement strategy

The Gambling Commission has unveiled a new enforcement strategy which will be used to tackle operators who breach gambling regulations.

Key changes highlighted by the watchdog include: 

• Changes to the Commission’s statement on financial penalties including introducing higher penalties for breaches, particularly where it sees systemic and repeated failings.
• Putting all regulatory tools, including licence review (both of the operator and personal management licences), on an equal footing by removing the current bias in favour of settlement.
• Using time-limited discounts to create better incentives for early settlement.

The new strategy, which comes into force today, follows the Commission’s consultation: Changes to our enforcement strategy: putting the consumer first.

The Commission’s responses to its enforcement strategy consultation can be viewed here.

Sarah Harrison, Gambling Commission chief executive, said: “We will use the full range of enforcement powers to ensure operators put customers first and raise standards.  

“The industry can be assured that we will use our powers in a targeted way, and consumers and the public can be assured we will take robust and effective action when gambling companies don’t meet their obligations.”