OVER REGULATION
• Cultural and social contributions – betting is deeply embedded in many societies’ sporting and cultural fabric, from horseracing and football to darts and esports. Many sports rely heavily on gambling sponsorship, which provides essential funding and exposure. Far from being a niche activity, regulated gambling provides social entertainment to millions safely and responsibly. • Technological innovation – the sector is at the forefront of digital innovation, employing AI to power sohpisticated player protection tools, advancing secure payment systems, and pioneering real-time monitoring to identify harmful behavior. These technologies often have positive spillovers beyond gambling, including fraud detection and digital identity verification. Taking responsibility: addressing core challenges Winning the trust of players, regulators, and the public requires the gambling industry to confront its challenges honestly and proactively. Much of the responsibility lies with operators but cannot rest solely on their shoulders. Firstly, operators must invest in affordability checks, self- exclusion programs, and real-time harm detection tools to enable the early identification and support of at-risk players. Secondly, transparency is vital. Gambling companies should avoid misleading promotions, clearly communicate terms, and restrict marketing aimed at vulnerable groups. Thirdly, robust age verification systems must be implemented and enforced through collaboration with online platforms, retailers, and regulators. However, operators. Governments and regulators should ensure that the funds raised through the industry’s social responsibility contributions are directed transparently towards public benefit. This includes creating and supporting public platforms, education programs, and treatment services aimed at prevention and harm reduction. responsibility extends beyond By sharing responsibility between industry and public bodies, the sector can build genuine goodwill, enhance effectiveness, and reduce the appeal and need for heavy-handed top-down regulation.
The importance of regulatory predictability Governments should avoid sudden, sweeping changes that disrupt markets overnight. Predictable, phased regulation allows operators to adapt and innovate responsibly. Conversely their appetite to invest in a particular jurisdiction, or worse to remain / leave is directly impacted by knee jerk responses to public or political pressures. Another crucial aspect is regulatory coherence. When multiple state authorities enforce overlapping or conflicting rules (such as different ministries, tax authorities, local councils, and advertising watchdogs) businesses face costly compliance burdens and confusion. This fragmentation erodes the value of national licenses, which are intended to guarantee legal certainty and market access. If too many authorities impose independent controls, operators may doubt the value of a license, weakening market stability. Paradoxically, it also weakens the control authorities have to influence the industry as too many operators fall outside its regulatory strictures. Governments must look at the gambling industry from all angles – economic, social, technological – but through a single, central regulatory lens. This ensures consistent enforcement, clarity, and trust. Smart advocacy: engaging constructively Lobbying alone isn’t enough. To secure long-term sustainability, the gambling industry must build broad-based alliances and engage constructively with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes collaboration with NGOs, academics, and healthcare professionals to fund independent research, improve harm reduction programs, and co-author responsible gambling standards. Such partnerships not only improve outcomes but also lend credibility to the industry’s efforts. Supporting industry-wide self-regulation (through national or regional bodies) signals a willingness to be held accountable. It also creates a level playing field and reduces the need for aggressive, fragmented enforcement from multiple regulators. Equally important is the way in which the industry engages with the public through the media. Too often, gambling is portrayed with a blinkered view of scandal, addiction, and
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IMGL MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2025
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