On 6 February 2024, Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission delivered a speech at the Consumer Protection Zone at ICE 2024. In his speech, Rhodes revisited the progress made over the last 12 months, discussed the balancing act that we strive to achieve in the industry, and assured industry stakeholders that the Gambling Commission will be listening to all consultation responses.

Rhodes began by taking the time to acknowledge the significance of the past 12 months for the gambling industry, with publication of the White Paper being “a key moment”, and implementation of the Fourth National Lottery Licence, the first change of operator in the history of the National Lottery; a unique achievement.

The overarching theme of Rhodes’ speech was balance; the balance between consumer choice and operator innovation on the one hand, and ensuring gambling is safe, fair and crime free with the right level of consumer protection on the other.

“Perhaps the hardest task we have in front of us is about that balance. The balance between protecting those who need it and not interfering with those who do not”.

Rhodes took a pragmatic view by acknowledging that everyone has a different idea as to how to achieve such balance, particularly between different jurisdictions and markets, but that ultimately the vast majority in the industry want a version of the same thing. Perhaps as a nod to Brazil’s recently regulated market, Rhodes noted that “each jurisdiction is likely to be on a different journey and…if your market has only recently opened up…there may be some quite choppy waters ahead.”

Rhodes highlighted the importance of collaboration in the industry, both with other jurisdictions and with stakeholders here in Great Britain. He noted that Great Britain has a mature gambling market and that the Gambling Commission has continued to work with other international regulators, in both current and developing markets, in order to share insight and experience. This was a common theme across ICE 2024, with Tim Miller, Executive Director of the Gambling Commission, acknowledging the benefits of “international cooperation” and “knowledge sharing” of regulators at the World Regulatory Briefing on Monday 5 February 2024.

Closer to home, Rhodes encouraged stakeholder engagement with the Gambling Commission’s consultations. He was transparent in acknowledging there “can be a lot of cynicism around consultations” but reassured his audience that the Gambling Commission “welcome all views” and “consider all responses carefully”. Rhodes recognised the benefits of bringing different stakeholders together and how a difference of opinions can assist in finding solutions to knotty industry debates and issues.

“Consultation responses do make a difference and they do help us make sure regulation is as good as it can be.”

Rhodes reiterated that the Gambling Commission will be publishing its response to its Summer Consultation in the “coming weeks” along with its proposed phased approach for implementing the much-debated financial risk checks and the use of pilot schemes.

The final aspect of Rhodes’ speech was the importance of evidence and how “a key part of implementation is improving the evidence and data around gambling”. Rhodes raised the Gambling Survey of Great Britain, an independent review which is expected to be published later in February, and explained how the Gambling Commission is holding events to discuss its use of data and evidence, and how to improve data collection.

Rhodes concluded by stating that:

“Getting the balance right is important. And keeping that balance is a job that is never done”.

We welcome Rhodes’ pragmatic and reasonable approach in his speech and agree with the important themes he highlighted. We look forward to the Gambling Commission’s consultation responses.

If you would like to discuss Rhodes’ speech or any of the themes therein, please get in touch with your usual contact at Harris Hagan.