The proposed Creation of an Ombudsman for Gambling-Related Complaints and Social Responsibility Issues is a Significant Development in the Gambling Industry

U.K. (August 2, 2023) — The proposed creation of an Ombudsman for gambling-related complaints and social responsibility issues is a significant development in the gambling industry. The key points and potential challenges regarding the establishment and functioning of this Ombudsman are as follows:

1. Purpose and Necessity: The Government’s proposal aims to address a current gap in the regulatory framework, wherein the Gambling Commission lacks the power to adjudicate complaints and require operators to provide redress for issues related to social responsibility and gambling harm. The intention is to provide consumers with a more accessible and effective avenue for seeking redress beyond the courts.
2. Operational Independence: The importance of the Ombudsman being operationally independent and credible in the eyes of consumers cannot be over emphasized.
3. The suggestion that an existing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider within the industry could take on the role of the Ombudsman provides a potential route for swift implementation.
4. Powers and Binding Decisions: As a non-statutory body, the decisions of the Ombudsman would not be legally binding on operators. However, the Government expects industry cooperation and the involvement of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) to ensure the Ombudsman’s effectiveness. If the Ombudsman fails to deliver the desired consumer protections, there is a possibility of creating a statutory ombudsman.
5. Scope of Remedies: The Ombudsman’s role extends beyond financial redress to include a broader range of remedies based on the specific circumstances of each dispute. This suggests that the Ombudsman’s decisions could lead to changes in operators’ processes and practices to prevent similar issues in the future.
6. Impact on Operators: The Ombudsman is expected to help operators enhance their processes by identifying areas for improvement. It’s crucial for operators to take social responsibility seriously and address customer complaints appropriately to avoid scrutiny and potential regulatory action.
7. Affordability and Complexity: One of the significant challenges is defining when gambling behavior becomes excessive or unaffordable and determining when operators should intervene to prevent harm. The fluid nature of regulatory expectations and the lack of clear guidance on customer interactions pose complexities for the Ombudsman’s decision-making.
8. Timeline for Implementation: The process for appointing the Ombudsman is expected to begin in the summer of 2023, with the expectation that the Ombudsman will be adjudicating complaints by the summer of 2024. This timeline suggests a relatively rapid rollout.

Overall, while the proposed Ombudsman aims to improve consumer protection and industry accountability in the gambling sector, there are challenges to overcome, including establishing operational independence, defining criteria for excessive gambling behavior, and ensuring cooperation from industry stakeholders. The effectiveness of the Ombudsman in achieving its goals will likely depend on the clarity of its remit, its ability to navigate these challenges, and the willingness of operators to collaborate in its processes.

SOURCE: Contributor.