### New Plan Unveiled for Gambling Act Evaluation
Released on December 5th, the recently developed plan is a collaborative effort between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Gambling Commission, with assistance from the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).
The **Gambling Act Review white paper**, initially shared in April 2023 following delays, outlines proposed updates to the outdated 2005 Gambling Act. Recent government announcements confirm initiatives such as a new levy on gambling profits and limits on online slot stakes, honoring a commitment made by the previous Conservative government.
#### Evaluating the Gambling Act: What’s Working and What Isn’t?
The review focuses on assessing the effectiveness of policies enacted under the updated Act. It aims to determine if these measures achieve their intended results and identify any unforeseen side effects using data from both the public and the gambling industry.
Research involves consumer and operator surveys, interviews, focus groups, and ongoing monitoring. A ‘lived experience panel’, including individuals familiar with gambling-related issues, will work alongside the Commission’s advisory team. The DCMS anticipates releasing a report in 2026, with ongoing efforts soon to begin.
“The evaluation will assess both individual proposals and the collective impact of the implemented policies thus far,” according to the DCMS.
#### Collaborative Efforts Crucial for Evaluation Success
Bryony Sheldon, director of policy for the Gambling Commission, **highlighted the need for collaboration** in the evaluation process, involving a diverse stakeholder group led independently by NatCen, including experts from various fields.
“Successful evaluation relies on the engagement of multiple stakeholders,” Sheldon remarked. “Through both informal discussions and formal consultations, we’ve extensively sourced input regarding evaluation.”
“The perspectives of consumers, operators, and other stakeholders are vital, and we welcome their involvement in forthcoming surveys, interviews, and research.”
Sheldon also noted that evaluating will involve strategic prioritization.
#### Steady Gambling Participation in Great Britain
The Commission also released its latest findings on gambling activities in Great Britain, reporting that 48% of respondents participated in some form of gambling in the past four weeks, consistent with figures from 2023 and the start of 2024.
Excluding lottery players, the rate of gambling drops to 28%. Online gambling saw a 37% participation rate, unchanged from last year. However, without lottery participants, this rate fell slightly from 18% in 2023 to 17%. In-person gambling remained steady at 29%, holding at 18% excluding the lottery.
Scratchcards and sports betting each attracted 12% of participants, while online instant win games drew 7%. Last year, 13% of people engaged in scratchcard games, maintaining its popularity as a non-lottery gambling option.
The most frequent participants are men aged 45 to 64, though excluding lottery play, the highest engagement is among males aged 25 to 34. Participants cited the potential for large wins and fun as their primary motivations for gambling.
