Labour promises UK gambling ombudsman as part of mass reforms

By: Michael Maguire
- June 18, 2019
- LikeUnlikeLike
- 1259 Views
Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, has outlined a gambling reform plan that includes the institution of a new watchdog for the British gaming and wagering industry.
Speaking at the Demos thinktank group on Tuesday, Watson called for greater consumer protection and an end to the “predatory” marketing strategies of UK betting operators.
The focal point of Labour’s plan is a push to draft new legislation that better addresses issues around problem gambling.
The party has already formulated several policies to that end, including a proposed ban on credit card betting at UK online casinos and bookmaker sites.
Watson also wants to rewrite the rules around online gambling promotions after a string of high-profile scandals.
“I cannot think of a single other type of transactional arrangement for goods or financial services that would allow this type of situation: unclear terms and conditions, a lack of transparency, a lack of framework – and fuelled by predatory bonus offers,” he said.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has dished out millions of pounds in financial penalties over the past two years, but Labour believes the regulator is not doing enough to improve the culture of the industry.
Watson and his colleagues wish to form an ombudsman that would operate in tandem with the UKGC and the National Health Service (NHS) to create a better platform for the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction.
Among other things, the ombudsman would have the power to serve financial penalties to any gambling operator that is deemed to have neglected its duty of care to customers.
You may also like
Join the Betting Planet team!
Are you passionate about sports betting? Tipsters and news writers required TODAY!
Experienced preferred but not essential. (All apps considered).
View Careers at Race Media

Top Online Casinos
Latest Betting News
- Champions League Matchday 2 betting picks – Tuesday, October 3
- Monday’s NFL betting preview & top picks – October 2, 2023
- Europe dominates 44th Ryder Cup with commanding 6.5-1.5 lead
- Daniel Ricciardo’s 2024 F1 comeback: Challenges and Excitement
- Sunday’s NFL betting Ppreview and top picks | October 1, 2023
- 2023 Ryder Cup preview: Team USA vs Team Europe at Marco Simone
- Viktor Hovland’s incredible Par-4 Ace ignites Ryder Cup excitement
- EPL Matchweek 7 betting preview and top predictions
- EPL Saturday betting picks & predictions – Matchweek 7
- Mark Hunt’s long legal battle against UFC comes to a close
Casino Guides
- Safest online casino jurisdictions
- How to guides
- How to win at pokies
- How to play online pokies
- PaysafeCard online casino deposits
- MasterCard Online Casinos
- Online Casinos Accepting POLi
- 32Red Casino Review
- All Slots Casino Review
- Boombet Casino review
- Horse racing games at casinos
- Credit card deposits at online casinos
- Films about blackjack
- Live dealer casinos
- How to play live dealer blackjack party
- Online Blackjack
- Top online casinos 2023
- Online casino deposits
- MasterCard Online Casinos
- Online Casinos Accepting POLi
- PaysafeCard online casino deposits
- Online slots
- Playing Pai Gow Poker on the Internet
- Online keno
- Online poker
- Online poker tournament structures
- Real money online roulette 2022
- Online multi-wheel roulette – what is it?
- How to play online scratch cards in 2020
- Sit & Go online poker tournaments
- Skrill e-wallet deposits at online casinos
- Visa online casino deposits
Sports Betting Guides
Casino Games
Deposits & Withdrawals
Football
Basketball
Top Country Betting sites
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Brazil
- Canada
- Dominican Republic
- Germany
- Ghana
- Grenada
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe