UK White Paper “in the Next Few Weeks”

The long running review into gambling reforms in the UK which is nearly hitting two years of waiting could be soon over, maybe.

The Minister responsible for the release of the White Paper said yesterday to the BBC politics channel that he wanted the White Paper “out of the door” and the proposals for reform could be released “in the next few weeks”.

When pushed by the interviewer if that meant before Christmas the Minister refused to confirm this.

It has been a long haul with the publication of the UK Gambling White Paper, it was first launched by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson but then his subsequent resignation halted the process and then incoming Prime Minister Liz Truss wanted to change the reforms recommended to make less restrictions. However, her short-lived term of office, just some 30 odd days once again paused the process as department ministers came and went.

However, the now Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is rumoured to want to impose stronger reforms, including a cap of stakes for online gambling.

But all this is guess work as no-one now knows what is contained in the White Paper.

Interestingly 888 Holdings Chief Executive Itai Pazner said this week he believes the UK will publish the White Paper before Christmas.

Whether the reforms proposed are a gift to the industry for Christmas or not, we once again will have to wait a little longer.