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Written question asked by Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 7 November 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 November 2017. It was answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 November 2017 on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Gambling: Internet

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the practice of certain online gambling providers contacting infrequent users via email in order to advise them to return to the service or risk having their accounts frozen and winnings removed; and what assessment they have made of the likely effect of that practice on gambling addiction.

Answer

All licensed gambling operators providing gambling facilities to customers in Great Britain are required to ensure that the terms on which gambling is offered are fair and open.

As part of a joint programme of work to tackle unfair terms and practices in the gambling industry, the Gambling Commission and the Competition and Markets Authority are investigating the obstacles people face when trying to withdraw their money after gaming or betting online, including ‘dormancy’ charges on players’ accounts after a period of inactivity, or terms which remove all funds from inactive accounts.

It is a further licensing requirement that marketing should be socially responsible, and should not be sent to those who have self-excluded. A new online self-exclusion scheme called ‘Gamstop’ is due to be launched by spring of next year. The scheme will allow customers to self-exclude from all British licensed operators in a single step and will significantly strengthen the self-exclusion arrangements available for online gamblers.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3001
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Gambling Internet Email
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk