Next UK Gambling Act review set to focus on slot machine improvements
The UK has always been one of the top places in Europe for gambling. The UK Gross Gambling Yield as of September 2020 come in at around £5.89bn. Online gambling is key to this, which is certainly true for online casino gaming. With multiple top brands operating in the UK market, such as LeoVegas and Casumo, and the UK having one of the most regulated iGaming markets around, this is no surprise.
The issue of proper regulation is something which cannot be underestimated and gives players around the country confidence to log onto the best iGaming platforms. With this in mind, the next UK Gambling Act review is something everyone connected with gambling in the country is eager to see published.
Review of UK Gambling Act 2005 – when could it be here?
In short, no one is quite sure when this review could be officially published. It has been ongoing since 2019 and formed part of the Conservative manifesto which allowed Boris Johnson to ride into power. As we all know though, a lot has changed since then in politics and these changes have led to the subsequent delay of the review.
Although it has been in motion since 2020, when the UK Gambling Commission completed their own review of the Act but decided to shelve it, and a white paper on it was expected to appear in late 2022 under previous PM Liz Truss, this may not happen under new PM Rishi Sunak. If this does finally come to light though and a review of the UK Gambling Act 2005 is published, slot machines seem to be one area of particular focus.
Slot machines remain a top choice for UK gamblers
It is estimated that around 40 million people play casino games in the UK, and many of these people love to try out digital slot machines. When you see the sheer variety in terms of slot themes and gameplay features, this is easy to understand. Online slots are also packed full of cool characters, easy to pick up controls and awesome graphics.
The popularity of online slot machines in the UK was confirmed by Giuseppe Faraone from comparison platform casinotopsonline.com who noted: “Internet slots remain one of the most popular casino games and are carried by all internet casino sites in the UK.”
What might the next UK Gambling Act review mean for online slots?
Although the upcoming review of the 2005 UK Gambling Act will look at the sector in general, it is believed that there will be special attention paid to online slots. But what exactly might this mean for both players and operators?
It is sensible to think that much of the emphasis on this type of game could be in terms of player safety. This has already happened to some extent, with the previous UKGC recommendation to ban autoplay for UK online slots. It is thought that further changes could be proposed around how much players can stake per spin or the maximum number of coins they can play for per spin. This would be under the guise of player safety with the intention of preventing people from spending large amounts per spin or gaming session.
Focus on slots with safe gameplay
The next review of the UK’s Gambling Act may also focus on promoting slots which are about safer gameplay and a more secure experience, rather than just mere luck. This could lead to more stringent regulations coming into force in the UK iGaming market in terms of slot machines themselves.
An emphasis on safer gameplay may also cause the UKGC to focus on specific jackpot slots in any upcoming review. As with previous UKGC rules banning slot speeds under 2.5 seconds, this may be in an attempt to stop people spending large amounts of money chasing jackpot prizes.
Review of UK Gambling Act not just about slot machine improvements
Although there is likely to be a focus on improving online slots in the next UK Gambling Act Review, this is not all the review will confine itself too. Other areas slated to be covered include payment methods at online casinos, platform licensing and wagering requirements.
It does seem though that slots will be in for particular attention, and this is only sensible when you consider how popular they are with UK gamers. While we do not know for sure yet what any recommendations the review will make around these types of online casino game might be, it is likely that they will be heavily centered on player safety.
Gideon Wood - info@responsibleentertainment.com
Responsible Entertainment Limited is a news-and-marketing based company dedicated to divulging key industry information related to the iGaming and sports betting sectors.