Gambling Commission launches lived experience advisory panel
New group set up to inform decision-making process and raise industry standards
The Gambling Commission (UKGC) has launched its first lived experience advisory panel to provide guidance on combatting gambling-related harm.
The group consists of individuals who have experienced a wide-range of harm from gambling as well as those who have experienced gambling-related harm through family members.
It will advise on several policy development initiatives, including assisting the UKGC on its response to the government’s gambling act review, which ends in March.
It follows on from the work of the interim Experts by Experience group, which previously provided insight to the UKGC’s development of controls on online slots.
Online slot curbs were formally announced this week.
The lived experience panel will join the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling and the Digital Advisory Panel as a formal group to advise the regulator.
“The establishment of this group is a great step forward for us in our work in making gambling safer and building our understanding of harm and its impacts,” Gambling Commission CEO Neil McArthur said.
“As already proven by the input of the interim group, the views and perspectives of lived experience in our decision making is invaluable and is already having a positive impact in our work in addressing gambling-related harm.
“Lived experience feedback in our policy work has already led to progress through input to consultations on game design and customer interaction and affordability and strengthened online advertising rules,” he added.
A spokesperson for the new panel said: “The creation of this group creates a real opportunity for the voice of those with lived experience to support and influence the work of the Gambling Commission.
“We are a diverse group of people and bring a wide range of skills and personal experience of gambling harm. We take this role seriously and look forward to working together as a group to make progress in tackling gambling harm.”
Earlier this week, FTSE 100 operator Entain launched its own advocacy group made up of regular gamblers who have not experienced gambling-related harm, aiming to showcase both sides of the UK player market in legislative discussions.