The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) is already pushing its plans for 2021 forward thanks to several developments that are meant to make the gambling sector safer and more sustainable. Some of the most notable developments include the online slot controls and autopay ban. The commission is also still accepting submissions on a gambling and affordability survey that will be under review very soon.
Now, there is also some great news that touches on responsible gambling which is one of the things that is at the top of the Gambling Commission’s agenda. The latest development in this regard is the establishment of a permanent Lived Experience Advisory Panel. This new panel will be collaborating with the gaming regulator in fostering a safer gambling sector in the region.
According to the Lived Experience Advisory Panel’s spokesperson, the creation of this group is vital to responsible gambling efforts. This is especially because it gives people who have experienced gambling-related harm the opportunity to not only support but also meaningfully influence the Gambling Commission efforts.
“We are a diverse group of people and bring a wide range of skills and personal experience of gambling harm. We take this role seriously and look forward to working together as a group to make progress in tackling gambling harm,” the panel’s spokesperson commented.
This panel has already had its first meeting and that marks the beginning of yet another very robust effort to bring some sanity to the UK’s very dynamic gambling industry.
Lots of Work to Be Done
Among the tasks that the panel will be undertaking will be discussing and offering advice on various policy development initiatives. Since the advisory panel will also be replacing the interim Experts by Experience Group that was formed last year, it will also be assuming the group’s duties going forward. Moreover, the panel will be joining the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling and the Digital Advisory Panel thus officially becoming an advisory group for the commission.
Speaking on the development, the Gambling Commission’s CEO, Neil McArthur pointed out the importance of the panel. He referenced the immense impact that the input from Interim Group had on their efforts to combat gambling-related harm. Even much more is expected to come from the Lived Experience Advisory Panel.
If all these developments are anything to go by, the Gambling Commission is seemingly making some headway in its ambitious fight to protect gamblers. It will certainly take some time but now that everything is in motion we could see some good results pretty soon.
