The Regulation of Gambling in Early Twenty-First Century Britain: Liberalisation and Its Consequences

Abstract

Two eras of gambling liberalisation in twentieth century Britain are outlined, culminating in a particularly large and diverse free market in the early twenty-first century. The lead government department is responsible for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and is committed to gambling industry growth and industry involvement in social responsibility. A public health perspective is lacking. One consequence is that questions of ethics and values remain officially off the agenda, although public attitudes remain critical of gambling liberalisation. A further consequence is the absence of a national structure for research, prevention and treatment which is independent of the provider industry. This unsatisfactory state of affairs is illustrated by the government’s current position on live issues such as high-stake gambling machines and increased gambling advertising.