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Gambling: Regulation

Asked by Sir Iain Duncan SmithConservativeDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled Answered 9 June 2025UIN 54595

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 41783 on Bet365, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Gambling Commission’s regulatory action against operators that fail to comply with the requirements of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock

An assessment of which regulatory actions may be appropriate in a compliance case is for the Gambling Commission to make. The Commission expects licensed operators to obey the laws of all other jurisdictions in which they operate, such as China, and requires them to report any regulatory investigation or finding into their activities in any other jurisdiction.

There are a variety of ways that the Commission can deal with non-compliance by licensees, ranging from enhanced compliance procedures and regulatory settlements to licence reviews and formal enforcement action. The Commission also has powers to launch criminal investigations and bring criminal proceedings against companies and individuals. Where a licensee is found to be operating illegally in another jurisdiction, the Commission may also consider their suitability to hold a licence to offer gambling services in Britain. However, it is for authorities in other jurisdictions to enforce their own gambling laws.

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