PRESS RELEASE: Statement from the APPG for Gambling Related Harm on the National Audit Office Report

Today the National Audit Office has effectively said that the Gambling Commission is not fit for purpose.

This is a major intervention by the Government’s own auditor and organisation which holds the Government to account.

Individuals at the Gambling Commission should be held accountable for this failing and urgent action must be taken by the Commission to raise standards across the industry, particularly online.

The NAO note that even if the Commission makes improvements ‘it is unlikely to be fully effective in regulating a challenging and fast-changing industry within the current system’. This is unacceptable.

We cannot wait years for new Gambling legislation to be introduced. The Government must immediately bring forward legislation to ensure the ever-growing gambling market it being properly regulated, consumers are protected and an Ombudsman is established. A failure to do this would be an abdication of the Government’s responsibility.