Anger as betting reforms delayed for a fourth time
A FORMER gambling minister says he is ‘gutted’ by No 10’s decision to delay plans to overhaul the industry for a fourth time.
The changes, first planned for mid-2021, are now expected to be published in the autumn when a new prime minister has taken office.
But it is feared that a new administration could unpick key reforms, developed during a twoyear review, and promised in the 2019 Conservative manifesto.
The delay also puts negotiations with the Premier League to voluntarily ban betting shirt sponsors, believed to be in their final stages, on ice.
Campaigners last night labelled the delay as ‘appalling and inexcusable’ and warned that ‘tens of thousands more people will be harmed and some will die’.
They pointed the finger at No 10 deputy chief of staff David Canzini, who until February was director of a firm which counted Ladbrokes Coral among its clients.
Yesterday he told colleagues that it was inappropriate to introduce a White Paper, detailing the Government’s proposals, because it would ‘bind’ the hands of the new prime minister.
Chris Philp, the former minister who led the review into the laws governing the industry before his resignation last week, said: ‘Reform is urgent. Every day that goes by is a missed opportunity, and puts more people at risk.
‘There wasn’t a single day that I went into the department when I didn’t think about people losing their lives to gamblingrelated suicide.
‘I’m gutted there’s further delay, and strongly urge the new government to make it a priority at the beginning of September.’
Labour MP Carolyn Harris, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for gambling harm, said: ‘This is an appalling decision and I’m bitterly disappointed.
‘This life-saving reform is urgently needed to rein in the Wild West industry and prevent thousands of families from falling into destitution.’
Will Prochaska, the chief executive of Gambling with Lives, which represents families bereaved by gambling suicide, said: ‘Tens of thousands more people will be harmed and some will die as a result of this inexcusable delay.’
The Centre for Labour and Social Studies think-tank added: ‘Online gambling is a public health emergency. There is simply no excuse for this inaction.’
A Betting and Gaming Council spokesman said yesterday: ‘We welcome the Government’s gambling review and we strongly support many of the measures we expect to be in the forthcoming White Paper.
‘The White Paper will have to balance the need to protect the vulnerable and those at risk, while not driving the millions of people who enjoy a bet perfectly safely to the black market.’
‘An appalling decision’