Sascha Blodau, General Manager, MERKUR UK has urged an incoming Government to ‘complete the job of gambling reform’ a process which includes the introduction of important social responsibility initiatives.
Speaking shortly after Rishi Sunak announced a snap general election for July 4, Sascha Blodau said: “The decision to call a surprise General Election means that the reforms contained in the Gambling White Paper could not be passed into law prior to a new government taking office.
In addition to modernising outdated regulations covering land-based low stake gambling entertainment the White Paper also included extremely important social responsibility initiatives not least the safer gambling features built into the recommendations concerning the use of debit cards on machines.
“We also believe that legislation prohibiting under-18s from playing £5 jackpot cash-pay-out machines need to be in place to support the code which all members of Bacta, our trade body, abide by.”
He added: “Stuart Andrew was an outstanding Gambling Minister and should be commended for the way in which he oversaw the White Paper process which was built on solid and evidence-based contributions.
“The process of modernising the regulations governing gambling began in December 2020 and I would urge an incoming government not to waste all of the hard work that’s been completed, enable the industry to continue to support high street and seaside communities throughout the country and enhance measures to protect the small proportion of low-stake machine players who may be at risk of developing gambling-related problems.”