The Gambling Commission announces the most recent consultation on technical standards for gambling machines.

The Gambling Commission announces the most recent consultation on technical standards for gambling machines.

 In order to update the technological standards and testing for land-based gambling machines, the Gambling Commission has started a consultation process.  According to the statement, this is "aimed at making gambling in Britain safer and fairer".
 Consultation with the Gambling Commission
 A code of social responsibility for gamers and the adoption of five gaming machine criteria are suggested.

 This could involve the display of net position and session periods, safer gambling messaging, and the functionality behind time and money limitations.

 According to the Commission, testing procedures and technical standards for gaming machines are also being revised to "remove obsolete material."

 Additionally, the regulator is thinking about combining the twelve existing technical standards for gaming machines into a single standard.  Additionally, the format of the standard will be changed to make it "more consistent" and to clarify the Commission's technical specifications for software and remote gaming.

 Tim Miller, executive director for research and policy at the Gambling Commission, said in a statement that "we recognise that regulatory changes that impact the design of machines can come with considerable costs."

 Customers, gambling companies, and other interested parties are being urged by the Commission to "share evidence that will assist us in measuring both the likely regulatory impacts of the proposed changes and the likely costs of implementing them," Miller continued.  This data will be crucial in supporting a thorough evaluation of whether the advantages for customers outweigh the expenses.  

 Launched on January 29th, the open consultation is anticipated to last sixteen weeks, ending on May 20th.  As part of the measures outlined in its white paper, the Commission has launched three consultations.

 Consultations with the Gambling Commission and implementation of the white paper review
 Last year, the UK gambling watchdog released a white paper outlining a review of the Gambling Act, which outlined a reform of the country's regulatory framework.

 In 2005, the Gambling Act was first passed.  The previous Conservative administration started the review process in order to improve consumer rights, stop industry exploitation, and set up contemporary standards.

 The Commission has already made some of the modifications mentioned in the white paper.

 These include restrictions on the maximum stakes for online slots and a statutory tax to pay for treatment, education, and research.  The white paper has proposed the creation of an operationally independent gambling ombudsman post in order to safeguard consumers.

 As a result of the white paper, internet operators now have additional affordability tests.  Several top-tier operators pledged in August of last year to conduct "passive" checks on players who record net gaming deposits of £150 per month, with the amount set to rise to £500 in February.

 "No further discussions"
 The chair of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on gambling-related harms, Carolyn Harris, praised the Commission's white paper last year but questioned additional discussions on enacting its policies.

 "We don't need more consultations," Harris stated in a statement in April.  Two and a half years have passed since the review.  After the gaming industry has controlled this agenda for eighteen years, we need to move quickly, implement the ideas right away, and alter the law immediately where it is required.

 Regulations that lessen the "speed and intensity" of online gambling items were introduced in January.  It outlawed features like "turbo" and "slam shots" that accelerate the time it takes for outcomes to appear.  Operator functionality that allowed the playing of numerous products simultaneously was likewise prohibited, as was the use of audio or visual celebration for returns that were less than or equal to stake bets.

 Since 2021, these regulations have applied to online slots; however, they have since been expanded to cover poker, bingo, and other casino games.