In our last blog, we looked back at the last nine months. In this blog, we look forward at what lies ahead in 2024.

Open consultations

In the words of the previous Gambling Minister, Paul Scully MP, and as previously blogged by us, “[it is important for] the industry to stay engaged as policies are refined, finalised, and implemented.” We continue to urge the industry to heed that imperative during 2024 and beyond, including on the following forthcoming deadlines:

• 21 February 2024 – GC Autumn Consultation (on proposed changes to the LCCP and RTS) closes.
• 15 March 2024 – GC December Consultation (on proposed changes related to financial penalties and financial key event reporting) closes.

The consultation phase is critical, with both Government and the Gambling Commission remaining under immense pressure to listen. We remain happy to assist clients with their responses where that would be helpful, as we did in the last once in a generation opportunity in 2005!

Closed consultations and forthcoming responses

We await responses (including implementation timeframes) on the following consultations:

• DCMS Land-Based Consultation (closed on 4 October 2023)
• DCMS Stake Consultation (closed on 4 October 2023)
• GC Summer Consultation (closed on 18 October 2023)
• DCMS Levy Consultation (closed on 14 December 2023)

What else is on the horizon?

February to March 2024 – Likely publication of Gambling Commission’s new three-year corporate strategy

March 2024 – Gambling Commission conference on illegal gambling

1 April 2024 – LCCP GAMSTOP and suicide reporting requirements come into force

TBC: Although the following items are expected, the timing is currently unknown:

• DCMS consultation on Gambling Commission fees
• Expected introduction of the statutory gambling levy
• Establishment of a gambling ombudsman
• Official launch of the Gambling Commission’s Gambling Survey of Great Britain
• Extension of Gambling Commission powers to tackle illegal gambling (“when Parliamentary time allows”) Government review of the horserace betting levy
• Government consultation on bringing remote gambling into a single tax structure

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