Parliamentary gambling group launches new inquiry into conduct of UKGC

The competence and effectiveness of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) will be put under the microscope by the All-Party Betting & Gaming Group (APBGG). The parliamentary group said it launched the new inquiry into the regulator after receiving multiple complaints about its conduct from members of the industry, including gambling operators. “Many in the industry feel that there are still many outstanding questions about its approach and actions and the APBGG feels this is worthy of investigation,” said the group in a letter dated 19 September and signed by Blackpool South MP Scott Benton. The APBGG has invited all UK-licensed operators to go to its website and submit any evidence they may have of the UKGC acting in a way they feel is unacceptable of an industry regulator. Criticism registered via the portal will be anonymous after the APBGG voiced its concern that members of the industry may be “too scared” to publicly criticise the UKGC due to its power. The deadline for submissions is 31 October, after which time the APBGG will present its findings to the DCMS review of the Gambling Act 2005 and to whichever minister holds responsibility for the oversight of industry regulators at that time. The CEO of the UKGC will then be invited to attend an industry meeting to respond to the report. Upon launching the inquiry, APBGG co-chairman Benton said: “I believe it is essential that the key player in our industry is challenged over its actions. “For a number of years, industry members have come to us and complained about the activities of the UKGC. “They have been too scared to go public with their concerns, some even about the very legality of the UKGC’s undertakings due to its power over them. “As they have no formal method of complaint apart from to the UKGC itself, we feel it is our duty to provide a conduit for legitimate criticism of the regulator,” he added. The APBGG was set up by a group of parliamentarians who took part in the numerous debates on what would eventually become the Gambling Act 2005. Former Food Standards Agency COO Andrew Rhodes was appointed interim CEO of the UKGC in June.