(DCMS) New voluntary deal to fund problem gambling research, education and treatment

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe today announced a new voluntary funding arrangement to bring in at least £15 million over the next three years for the research, education and treatment of problem gambling.

The Responsibility in Gambling Trust will continue to raise funds from the gambling industry, and are committed to raising over £5m every year from now until 2012/13. A new body, the Responsible Gambling Fund, has been set up to distribute the money.

Mr Sutcliffe said:

"I am very pleased that we have managed to secure the future of this important work, without the need for new legislation. I have been particularly impressed with the industry's commitment to social responsibility and the fact that millions of pounds have already been pledged.

"It is right that the new fundraisers are ambitious in their plans to get over £5 million per year. We need the whole industry to sign up to help support those with gambling addiction problems and to provide better preventive education.

"I am confident that the new structure will be successful. But if, in the coming months, it becomes clear that it is not working then I will not hesitate to bring in a statutory levy. The protection of vulnerable people remains my number one priority and I will not be giving the industry a second chance to put this right."

The recently-created Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB), chaired by Baroness Julia Neuberger, will work with the new distributor and will set priorities for research, education and treatment.

(DCMS) A fair deal for British gambling operators

Creating a more level playing field to compete with overseas rivals

Overseas based gambling operators who advertise in the UK may face new requirements, Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe announced today.

In response to rapid technological advances in online gambling, as well as the changing international regulatory landscape, the Government is to explore ways to make the system fairer to ensure a more level playing field between British businesses and their overseas counterparts.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, working with the Gambling Commission, will look at a number of issues, including securing fair contributions from overseas licensed operators towards the costs of regulation, the treatment of problem gambling and the Horserace Betting Levy. The Department will also look at the existing controls that apply to operators licensed overseas to ensure the rigorous consumer protections introduced by the Gambling Act continue to be upheld.

Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe said:

"Technology has evolved at an incredible pace and online gambling has changed significantly since the Gambling Act was passed. Now is the right time to take stock of developments in Europe and elsewhere to make sure our regulatory system is as fair and robust as possible for all operators able to advertise their services in the UK.

"It is early days so I do not want to pre-empt the outcome of this work - but getting a fairer deal for UK operators and ensuring continued consumer protection are my top priorities."

The Department will consult a range of experts, including the remote gambling industry, and will report findings to Parliament before the end of 2009.