UK Gambling White Paper Released During ICE Week

The UK Gambling White Paper which is now over two years since it was first launched is now expected to be released the first week of February, the same time as the ICE Gaming Expo.

In early December it was promised within the next few weeks but rumours within the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) suggest the issue is how they treat struggling land based casinos to that of the online gambling industry.

Since the COVID pandemic casinos have struggled to regain lost customers and revenues to their online gambling counterparts and there are divisions within the department on how to help casinos but at the same time restrain online gambling companies.

It is suggested that more electronic gaming machines with higher jackpots would be one way and even lower corporation taxes, but how would this be written to not include online gambling.

This apparently is causing the continuing delay for the release of the gambling reforms white paper according to sources.

Also with the rise in the cost of living some ministers are concerned that any extra levies on gambling or restrictions could damage an industry that will also see a decline in business due to customer pressures on spending.

It is understood this is one of the main reasons for the delay on how to help one sector but rein back the popularity in online gambling in a way that shows the government is doing something to help safer gambling in the country.