UK Parliamentary Group Launches Inquiry Into Gambling Commission’s Conduct and Competence
The All-Party Betting & Gaming Group (APBGG), a cross-party parliamentary group, has launched an official inquiry into the Gambling Commission—the chief regulator for gambling in Great Britain—citing widespread industry criticism and concerns about the Commission’s conduct and effectiveness.
The inquiry was initiated after multiple operators approached the APBGG privately, alleging that the Gambling Commission had acted beyond its legal powers, delivered substandard service, and was not held accountable for its actions. Industry members reportedly refrained from voicing their grievances publicly due to the regulator’s authority and influence over their licenses and operations.
To support transparency, the APBGG is offering a secure and anonymous channel for industry stakeholders to submit complaints, with a deadline of 31 October. Should the volume and nature of submissions warrant further scrutiny, the group will compile a report to present to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), and may invite Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes to address the findings.
In response, a Gambling Commission spokesperson reiterated the regulator’s mission to ensure gambling in Britain is fairer, safer, and crime-free, and noted that it continues to engage openly with parliamentarians, including the APBGG, especially in the context of the ongoing Gambling Act review.
The inquiry arrives amid broader reform efforts. The DCMS review of the 2005 Gambling Act, which concluded in 2021, is expected to deliver new regulations later this year, focusing on online stake limits, advertising restrictions, sports sponsorship, and the effectiveness of the Gambling Commission itself.
Last year, the APBGG had already called for a complete overhaul of the Gambling Commission, labeling it “not fit for purpose” and criticising the lack of formal investigation into previously raised concerns.
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