Online gambling, and specifically problem gambling online, was the subject of a closely contested vote in the House of Commons this week. However, before getting into the detail, it is perhaps best to begin by asking why we should be concerned about problem gambling at all.

What is the problem?

As Jim Shannon MP noted in his speech during debate of the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill on Tuesday:

“According to the gambling prevalence survey of 2010, there are approximately 450,000 problem gamblers in the UK today. However, if we are to understand that problem fully, we must remember that no man—or woman—is an island, and that each of those people is likely to be connected to family members who feel the destructive impact of problem gambling on their lives as well. Problem gambling goes beyond the problem gamblers themselves; it affects their families too, which means that the 450,000 figure can quickly increase to some 2 million.”

Online gambling has one of the highest ‘problem prevalence’ figures – i.e. the percentage of gamblers online who are addicted or struggling is far higher than most other forms of gambling. The average problem gambling prevalence figure is 0.9%; however, the figure relating to online slot machines, for example, is over 9%.

What does the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill do?

This is all very relevant for the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill because it is all about online gambling. The Bill seeks to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for online gambling providers based outside of the UK but whose services are used by UK customers. This is good but one of its side effects is that it opens the door for more online gambling advertising as more firms based outside the UK can receive UK licenses and thereby the right to advertise in the UK.

Increased advertising for online gambling is bad news for problem gamblers.

Just a little bit more background!

It is incredibly easy to access gambling websites. Whether it is through a quick google search or even through advertisements on facebook, online gambling opportunities and temptations are all around us.

For those who struggle with gambling addiction – those who are often termed ‘problem gamblers’ – being surrounded with ready access to gambling opportunities 24 hours a day 7 days a week is incredibly difficult. A problem gambler who is having a ‘strong’ day can walk into the 5 shops on his High Street and ask to self-exclude, that is, to not be allowed back in to the betting shop. This could be done in an afternoon with an immediate tangible result.

The problem online is that there is no equivalent step which can be taken. To protect themselves, problem gamblers would need to self-exclude – to opt out – from every gambling website individually. This is nigh-on impossible.

What’s the solution? What happened on Tuesday?

During the debate on the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill on Tuesday, Jim Shannon MP tabled an amendment to create a ‘one stop shop’ for online problem gamblers. This national self-exclusion mechanism would mean that a problem gambler merely has to visit one website and say they do not wish to gamble and then be excluded from all gambling websites in one go. It would be a tremendous help and relief for problem gamblers and their families who all too often have to deal with the fallout.

Although the amendment was defeated by 283 votes to 223, it is tremendously encouraging to see 223 MPs supporting action to help online problem gamblers and their families. The Bill will now pass to the House of Lords and we very much hope they will take their steer from this group of 223 MPs and support measures to help online problem gamblers through the provision of a ‘one stop shop’ for self-exclusion.

Please click here to read Jim Shannon MP’s excellent speech.