{"id":7,"date":"2026-02-16T13:12:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T13:12:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gccampaign.wpenginepowered.com\/?page_id=7"},"modified":"2026-06-29T13:55:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T13:55:19","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thegamblingcommissionisfailing.com\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7\" class=\"elementor elementor-7\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-323123c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"323123c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a02f819 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a02f819\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c13c85e elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"c13c85e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#signup\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Sign up to our campaign mailing list<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f763787 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f763787\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb14fcd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bb14fcd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4372553 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4372553\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Gambling Commission is <u><span style=\"color: #FF5353\">failing<\/span><\/u>.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afe9b20 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"afe9b20\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c7c29b elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8c7c29b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;rotateInDownRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"504\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/thegamblingcommissionisfailing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Single-die-in-mid-air-suspension.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-13\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thegamblingcommissionisfailing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Single-die-in-mid-air-suspension.png 504w, https:\/\/thegamblingcommissionisfailing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Single-die-in-mid-air-suspension-300x295.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 504px) 100vw, 504px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e96791e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e96791e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1561801 e-con-full e-grid e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1561801\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f069dc4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f069dc4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1111975 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"1111975\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chart-line\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M496 384H64V80c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16H16C7.16 64 0 71.16 0 80v336c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h464c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16v-32c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16zM464 96H345.94c-21.38 0-32.09 25.85-16.97 40.97l32.4 32.4L288 242.75l-73.37-73.37c-12.5-12.5-32.76-12.5-45.25 0l-68.69 68.69c-6.25 6.25-6.25 16.38 0 22.63l22.62 22.62c6.25 6.25 16.38 6.25 22.63 0L192 237.25l73.37 73.37c12.5 12.5 32.76 12.5 45.25 0l96-96 32.4 32.4c15.12 15.12 40.97 4.41 40.97-16.97V112c.01-8.84-7.15-16-15.99-16z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4432d30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4432d30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Rise in black<br> market betting<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98b97a8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"98b97a8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3eec052 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"3eec052\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-vote-yea\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M608 320h-64v64h22.4c5.3 0 9.6 3.6 9.6 8v16c0 4.4-4.3 8-9.6 8H73.6c-5.3 0-9.6-3.6-9.6-8v-16c0-4.4 4.3-8 9.6-8H96v-64H32c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32v96c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32h576c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32v-96c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32zm-96 64V64.3c0-17.9-14.5-32.3-32.3-32.3H160.4C142.5 32 128 46.5 128 64.3V384h384zM211.2 202l25.5-25.3c4.2-4.2 11-4.2 15.2.1l41.3 41.6 95.2-94.4c4.2-4.2 11-4.2 15.2.1l25.3 25.5c4.2 4.2 4.2 11-.1 15.2L300.5 292c-4.2 4.2-11 4.2-15.2-.1l-74.1-74.7c-4.3-4.2-4.2-11 0-15.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa55dff elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aa55dff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Distorting Democracy<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa75e9e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"aa75e9e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3194305 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"3194305\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-handshake\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M434.7 64h-85.9c-8 0-15.7 3-21.6 8.4l-98.3 90c-.1.1-.2.3-.3.4-16.6 15.6-16.3 40.5-2.1 56 12.7 13.9 39.4 17.6 56.1 2.7.1-.1.3-.1.4-.2l79.9-73.2c6.5-5.9 16.7-5.5 22.6 1 6 6.5 5.5 16.6-1 22.6l-26.1 23.9L504 313.8c2.9 2.4 5.5 5 7.9 7.7V128l-54.6-54.6c-5.9-6-14.1-9.4-22.6-9.4zM544 128.2v223.9c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32h64V128.2h-96zm48 223.9c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16 16 7.2 16 16-7.2 16-16 16zM0 384h64c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32V128.2H0V384zm48-63.9c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16-16-7.2-16-16c0-8.9 7.2-16 16-16zm435.9 18.6L334.6 217.5l-30 27.5c-29.7 27.1-75.2 24.5-101.7-4.4-26.9-29.4-24.8-74.9 4.4-101.7L289.1 64h-83.8c-8.5 0-16.6 3.4-22.6 9.4L128 128v223.9h18.3l90.5 81.9c27.4 22.3 67.7 18.1 90-9.3l.2-.2 17.9 15.5c15.9 13 39.4 10.5 52.3-5.4l31.4-38.6 5.4 4.4c13.7 11.1 33.9 9.1 45-4.7l9.5-11.7c11.2-13.8 9.1-33.9-4.6-45.1z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-446f7f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"446f7f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Increased press and lobbying roles\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b76b31 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5b76b31\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e4da78 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"4e4da78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-money-bill-wave\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M621.16 54.46C582.37 38.19 543.55 32 504.75 32c-123.17-.01-246.33 62.34-369.5 62.34-30.89 0-61.76-3.92-92.65-13.72-3.47-1.1-6.95-1.62-10.35-1.62C15.04 79 0 92.32 0 110.81v317.26c0 12.63 7.23 24.6 18.84 29.46C57.63 473.81 96.45 480 135.25 480c123.17 0 246.34-62.35 369.51-62.35 30.89 0 61.76 3.92 92.65 13.72 3.47 1.1 6.95 1.62 10.35 1.62 17.21 0 32.25-13.32 32.25-31.81V83.93c-.01-12.64-7.24-24.6-18.85-29.47zM48 132.22c20.12 5.04 41.12 7.57 62.72 8.93C104.84 170.54 79 192.69 48 192.69v-60.47zm0 285v-47.78c34.37 0 62.18 27.27 63.71 61.4-22.53-1.81-43.59-6.31-63.71-13.62zM320 352c-44.19 0-80-42.99-80-96 0-53.02 35.82-96 80-96s80 42.98 80 96c0 53.03-35.83 96-80 96zm272 27.78c-17.52-4.39-35.71-6.85-54.32-8.44 5.87-26.08 27.5-45.88 54.32-49.28v57.72zm0-236.11c-30.89-3.91-54.86-29.7-55.81-61.55 19.54 2.17 38.09 6.23 55.81 12.66v48.89z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d02de11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d02de11\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Funding of campaigns as opposed to treating problem gambling\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91fb91e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"91fb91e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-faefe88 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"faefe88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-search\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M505 442.7L405.3 343c-4.5-4.5-10.6-7-17-7H372c27.6-35.3 44-79.7 44-128C416 93.1 322.9 0 208 0S0 93.1 0 208s93.1 208 208 208c48.3 0 92.7-16.4 128-44v16.3c0 6.4 2.5 12.5 7 17l99.7 99.7c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l28.3-28.3c9.4-9.4 9.4-24.6.1-34zM208 336c-70.7 0-128-57.2-128-128 0-70.7 57.2-128 128-128 70.7 0 128 57.2 128 128 0 70.7-57.2 128-128 128z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6942035 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6942035\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Poor oversight of how funds are spent\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5cfcd0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f5cfcd0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89367d7 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"89367d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-gavel\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M504.971 199.362l-22.627-22.627c-9.373-9.373-24.569-9.373-33.941 0l-5.657 5.657L329.608 69.255l5.657-5.657c9.373-9.373 9.373-24.569 0-33.941L312.638 7.029c-9.373-9.373-24.569-9.373-33.941 0L154.246 131.48c-9.373 9.373-9.373 24.569 0 33.941l22.627 22.627c9.373 9.373 24.569 9.373 33.941 0l5.657-5.657 39.598 39.598-81.04 81.04-5.657-5.657c-12.497-12.497-32.758-12.497-45.255 0L9.373 412.118c-12.497 12.497-12.497 32.758 0 45.255l45.255 45.255c12.497 12.497 32.758 12.497 45.255 0l114.745-114.745c12.497-12.497 12.497-32.758 0-45.255l-5.657-5.657 81.04-81.04 39.598 39.598-5.657 5.657c-9.373 9.373-9.373 24.569 0 33.941l22.627 22.627c9.373 9.373 24.569 9.373 33.941 0l124.451-124.451c9.372-9.372 9.372-24.568 0-33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-929d71c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"929d71c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Aggressive enforcement tactics<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b13444c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b13444c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Gambling Commission was set up in 2005 tasked with making gambling \u201cfairer and safer\u2019...<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6533c31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6533c31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">It is failing.<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-714040f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"714040f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c410bad e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c410bad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-288a195 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"288a195\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By adopting a role as\u00a0 both a regulator and major funder of campaign groups it has lost a sense of objectivity and is straying badly from its original purpose.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">It has overseen an explosion in black market gambling which according to some estimates accounts for a tenth of the market with 531 illegal sports betting and casino operators actively targeting British customers.\u00b9<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">It has funded campaigning organisations which have misused statistics and misled the public and politicians, continuing to write the cheques despite knowing this.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">These funds, which are raised from the licensing gambling industry, should be used to treat people with gambling disorder, not finance political campaigns.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">In raising these funds, The Gambling Commission applies an aggressive and inconsistent approach to meeting its objectives with terrible consequences for businesses and individuals.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">In the last ten years, despite its failings, the Gambling Commission has grown considerably and its spending has more than quadrupled.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5742179 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5742179\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b8bc2d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7b8bc2d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Between 2014-15 and 2024-25:<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa02206 elementor-align-start elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"aa02206\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-sort-amount-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M304 416h-64a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h64a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zM16 160h48v304a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h32a16 16 0 0 0 16-16V160h48c14.21 0 21.38-17.24 11.31-27.31l-80-96a16 16 0 0 0-22.62 0l-80 96C-5.35 142.74 1.77 160 16 160zm416 0H240a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h192a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zm-64 128H240a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h128a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zM496 32H240a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h256a16 16 0 0 0 16-16V48a16 16 0 0 0-16-16z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"> The number of employees increased by 58%, from 262 to 416<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-sort-amount-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M304 416h-64a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h64a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zM16 160h48v304a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h32a16 16 0 0 0 16-16V160h48c14.21 0 21.38-17.24 11.31-27.31l-80-96a16 16 0 0 0-22.62 0l-80 96C-5.35 142.74 1.77 160 16 160zm416 0H240a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h192a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zm-64 128H240a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h128a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zM496 32H240a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h256a16 16 0 0 0 16-16V48a16 16 0 0 0-16-16z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Total spending increased by 219%, from \u00a318.3m to \u00a360.3m<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-sort-amount-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M304 416h-64a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h64a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zM16 160h48v304a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h32a16 16 0 0 0 16-16V160h48c14.21 0 21.38-17.24 11.31-27.31l-80-96a16 16 0 0 0-22.62 0l-80 96C-5.35 142.74 1.77 160 16 160zm416 0H240a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h192a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zm-64 128H240a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h128a16 16 0 0 0 16-16v-32a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zM496 32H240a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v32a16 16 0 0 0 16 16h256a16 16 0 0 0 16-16V48a16 16 0 0 0-16-16z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The pay package of the Chief Executive increased by 68%, from \u00a3179,000 to \u00a3300,000<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddbf3a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ddbf3a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">It is time for the government to reign in this regulator so that gambling is truly made fairer and safer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-738678a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"738678a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e254172 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e254172\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f317080 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f317080\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b67411 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5b67411\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1.<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5f0535 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c5f0535\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The growth of the black market<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f96fac8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f96fac8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The share of the gambling market taken up by illegal operators is growing.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Estimates of just how much vary with some analysts putting the figure at 9%, but there is widespread agreement that it is growing.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2025 poll by YouGov found that nearly a third of those who bet were \u201clikely to use an unregulated gambling site\u201d if it offered better promotions or odds, while 14% admitted already using a black market sites.\u00b2<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Gambling Commission\u2019s Executive Director, some of these illegal sites are run by \u201ccriminal networks\u201d who are involved with \u201cterrorists and organised crime\u201d.<\/span>\u00b3<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This surge was widely predicted by analysts.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the same time, the amount of legal betting has fallen, with per capita gambling expenditure declining by 16% in real terms since 2015\/16.\u2074<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But upon his appointment as Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission in 2022, Andrew Rhodes played down the problem saying that while the \u201cso called black market\u201d poses various problems, he believed that the associated \u201crisks\u201d are \u201coverstated\u201d.\u2075\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite this complacency, Mr Rhodes has been paid five-figure bonuses in each of the full years he has spent at the helm of the Gambling Commission.\u2076<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cae1ec e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1cae1ec\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb6da12 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fb6da12\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5aae072 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5aae072\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4be2aff elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4be2aff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2.<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28e35ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"28e35ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Distorting Democracy\n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fef507a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fef507a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2024 General Election was the first that most people had heard of the Gambling Commission.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the campaign, it came to light that a number of Conservative Party employees, candidates and police officers had placed bets on the date of the election. The ensuing press coverage dominated the agenda for weeks and was the most heard-about issue during the campaign.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In June, the Labour candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Kevin Craig, was revealed to have placed a bet on the outcome in this constituency. He was suspended from the Party and placed under investigation by the Gambling Commission. The seat was subsequently won by The Conservatives.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Five months after election day, the Gambling Commission closed its investigation after concluding that there was no evidence of wrongdoing.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During General Elections, public bodies like the Gambling Commission are subject to \u201cpurdah\u201d rules which state that \u201cNDPB (which includes the Gambling Commission) activity should not be seen to compete with the election campaign for public attention.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These rules were clearly broken by the Gambling Commission. In the words of ITV Political Editor Robert Peston:<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cPurdah rules exist to maintain the integrity of the electoral process, and it is blindingly obvious that the electoral process has been distorted by the betting-scandal leaks.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u2077<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These leaks can only have come from the Gambling Commission.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-608af0f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"608af0f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32728ab e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"32728ab\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b1cb3c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7b1cb3c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b307988 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b307988\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3.<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55c501c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"55c501c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bankrolling misleading campaigns\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c265b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c265b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before 2021, \u201cregulatory settlements\u201d, payments made by gambling operators for breaches of conditions, were intended to be used in support of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since then however, payments have been directed towards \u2018socially responsible purposes\u2019.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than \u00a392million has been handed out under this process.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But the Gambling Commission has never carried out an assessment of the efficacy of this spending or whether it was even used for its intended purposes.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is despite Parliament pressing the Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission on the matter repeatedly.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gambling Commission\u2019s own rules state that \u201cregulatory settlement funds will not be applied for the purposes of campaigning or lobbying.\u201d<\/span>\u2078<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has however repeatedly engaged in, and provided funds for campaigning and lobbying:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2022, former Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes told a meeting of the Advisory Board on Gambling Safety that \u201cthings have never been more favourable\u201d for increased taxation on the sector and that the Gambling Commission could influence the Treasury.<\/span>\u2079\u00a0<\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2021 the Gambling Commission awarded \u00a3140,050 to the National Institute for Economic and Social Research to conduct an evaluation of benefits and costs of gambling.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">The scope of the work was changed after the award was made without the Gambling Commission\u2019s approval\u00a0 and went on to conclude that problem gamblers included people who have never gambled.<\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">When the report came under fire for its methodological flaws, the Gambling Commission refused to investigate and said it had no power to clawback funds if they were misused.<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00b9\u2070\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2022, the chair of the Gambling Commission\u2019s Advisory Board for Safer Gambling advised the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities that criticism of its cost figures was valid \u2013 but then intimated that accuracy in such matters was beside the point and that scrutiny of public health mortality claims was <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201ca distraction from what matters to people and families harmed by gam<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bling\u201d.\u00b9\u00b9<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gambling Commission conducted a survey showing the rate of problem gambling to be 5-8 times higher than previous official estimates. In an official review of the data, a Professor of Quantitative Social Science at the London School of Economics found there was \u201ca non-negligible risk that they substantially over-state the true9 level of gambling and gambling harm in the population\u201d.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">After initially issuing guidance warning that the figures were likely inflated, the guidance was weakened just before the Autumn Budget despite the objections of statisticians at the LSE and within the Commission itself.\u00b9\u00b2\u00a0<\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The survey :<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">found that going those who visit art galleries and museums were twice as likely to attempt suicide as those who did not.\u00b9\u00b3\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overstated the number of visits to casinos to play games by between 408% and 628%\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stated that there were 863,000 unique players of The Football Pools over a four week period when there were 109,000 such customers &#8211; an overstatement of 694%.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overstated the number of betting exchange customers by 225%.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Commission has stated that spending money on betting rather than going to the cinema is a gambling harm.\u00b9\u2074<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Producing and funding \u201cresearch\u201d of this nature does nothing to help elected representatives make informed decisions about the best way to regulate the industry.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a0f229 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6a0f229\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7bada5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f7bada5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee2c74c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ee2c74c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dc9249 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3dc9249\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c001b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4c001b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Suppressing information\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4aecec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b4aecec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Policymakers need unbiased, honest&nbsp; information if they are to make sensible decisions about gambling regulation. The Gambling Commission actively works against this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2021 the Commission conducted a survey into gambling harms and what should be done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just 14% of respondents said that they would be willing to provide financial information to bookmakers to assess whether their gambling was affordable. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">42 per cent said they would refuse to provide information, and a further 23 per cent said they would stop using a bookmaker which asked for financial information and switch to another.<\/span>\u00b9\u2075<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gambling Commission kept these findings secret and excluded them from the 2023 consultation on \u201cFinancial Risk Assessments\u201d. They were only obtained three and a half years later through a Freedom of Information request.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, the Gambling Commission commissioned another survey on the subject, this time prompting respondents with the claim that affordability checks would \u201cprotect the most vulnerable while allowing everyone to enjoy gambling without harm\u201d and showing them newspaper headlines stating that \u201cgambling addicts will die\u201d if the proposed reforms were delayed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unsurprisingly, this \u201csurvey\u201d showed the exact opposite of the previous one with 78% supporting further financial checks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regulation should not be set purely by what consumers want. But by suppressing inconvenient findings from surveys which fail to provide the \u201ccorrect\u201d answer and replacing it with biased research, the Commission is increasing the likelihood that poor policy will be implemented.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ignoring the views of customers and imposing poorly-conceived regulations on the legal sector will further fuel the black market.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95d41da e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"95d41da\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c063012 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c063012\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32d6b7e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"32d6b7e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46317f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"46317f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The <u><span style=\"color: #FF5353\">change<\/span><\/u> that is needed<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-005a08d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"005a08d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gambling Commission is currently looking for a new Chief Executive. The appointment has to be signed off by the Culture Secretary:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The new appointment must:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prioritise tackling of the black market.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acknowledge the well-established link between increased restrictions on the legal market and growth off the illicit market.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cease funding campaigning and lobbying.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prioritise these funds on the treatment of people with gambling addiction.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increase the integrity of any research carried out or commissioned so that it better informs policy makers.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commit to ending the distortion of electoral processes<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1b9db8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c1b9db8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"signup\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e66b58 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7e66b58\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b64858 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3b64858\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sign up for updates on our campaign<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e813a08 elementor-button-align-stretch elementor-widget elementor-widget-form\" data-id=\"e813a08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;step_next_label&quot;:&quot;Next&quot;,&quot;step_previous_label&quot;:&quot;Previous&quot;,&quot;button_width&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;step_type&quot;:&quot;number_text&quot;,&quot;step_icon_shape&quot;:&quot;circle&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<form class=\"elementor-form\" method=\"post\" name=\"New Form\">\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"post_id\" value=\"7\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"form_id\" value=\"e813a08\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"referer_title\" value=\"\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"queried_id\" value=\"7\"\/>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-form-fields-wrapper elementor-labels-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-text elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-name elementor-col-50\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-name\" class=\"elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tName\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"text\" name=\"form_fields[name]\" id=\"form-field-name\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"Name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-email elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-email elementor-col-50 elementor-field-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"email\" name=\"form_fields[email]\" id=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"Email\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-acceptance elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_73a7063 elementor-col-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-field_73a7063\" class=\"elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAcceptance\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-subgroup\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-field-option\">\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"form_fields[field_73a7063]\" id=\"form-field-field_73a7063\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-acceptance-field\">\n\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-field_73a7063\">I am happy to be part of this campaign and to be contacted by our campaign team<\/label>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-type-submit elementor-col-100 e-form__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" type=\"submit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Sign up<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69530e0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"69530e0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"footnotes\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d92cc8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9d92cc8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol>\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.racingpost.com\/news\/britain\/black-market-gambling-increases-by-345-per-cent-according-to-shocking-new-report-aCkcD3V4UvzE\/\">Racing Post \u2013 Black market gambling increases by 345 per cent according to shocking new report<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk\/about-us\/transparency\/annual-reports\">Gambling Commission Annual Report and Accounts 2014\u201315, 2024\u201325<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/bettingandgamingcouncil.com\/news\/third-of-punters-would-switch-to-gambling-black-market-if-tax-hikes-wrecked-customer-offer-new-poll-finds\">Betting and Gaming Council \u2013 Third of punters would switch to gambling black market if tax hikes wrecked customer offer, new poll finds<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/articles\/cly3x9ngj18o\">BBC Sport article<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/insider.iea.org.uk\/britain-is-gambling-less-than-you\">Institute of Economic Affairs \u2013 Britain is gambling less than you?<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk\/news\/article\/andrew-rhodes-speech-at-the-ceo-briefing-2022\">Gambling Commission \u2013 Andrew Rhodes speech at the CEO briefing, 2022<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk\/about-us\/transparency\/annual-reports\">Gambling Commission Annual Report and Accounts<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Peston\/status\/1804793148192739385\">Robert Peston X\/Twitter post<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk\/guidance\/guidance-for-submitting-a-proposal-for-regulatory-settlement-funding\/submitting-a-proposal-for-regulatory-settlement-funding\">Gambling Commission \u2013 Guidance for submitting a proposal for regulatory settlement funding<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.cfasetts.net\/gmw89wuqdx3b\/6eNh71cEX6uHMnq3K8UeWn\/4e1773e6ced6c2adb920f8d38d9b85f1\/CASE_202300143_17.pdf\">CASE_202300143_17 PDF<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/publications.parliament.uk\/pa\/cm5803\/cmselect\/cmcumeds\/154\/report.html\">House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee Report<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/danwaugh.substack.com\/p\/galleries-gambling-and-self-harm\">Dan Waugh \u2013 Galleries, Gambling and Self-Harm<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/researchonline.lse.ac.uk\/id\/eprint\/121981\/1\/Sturgis_Assessment_of_the_gambling_survey_for_great_britain_published.pdf\">Sturgis, P. \u2013 Assessment of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/danwaugh.substack.com\/p\/galleries-gambling-and-self-harm\">Dan Waugh \u2013 Galleries, Gambling and Self-Harm<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk\/about-us\/guide\/update-pilot-of-survey-questions-to-understand-gambling-related-harm\">Gambling Commission \u2013 Guide to pilot survey questions to understand gambling-related harm<\/a><\/li>\n\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.racingpost.com\/news\/britain\/new-affordability-campaign-launched-as-survey-reveals-two-thirds-of-punters-would-be-unwilling-to-provide-documents-to-continue-betting-a0BDG9C8SuMR\/\">Racing Post \u2013 New affordability campaign launched as survey reveals two-thirds of punters would be unwilling to provide documents to continue betting<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c181cc8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c181cc8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Gambling Commission is Failing. All rights reserved.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sign up to our campaign mailing list The Gambling Commission is failing. Rise in black market betting Distorting Democracy Increased press and lobbying roles Funding of campaigns as opposed to treating problem gambling Poor oversight of how funds are spent Aggressive enforcement tactics The Gambling Commission was set up in 2005 tasked with making gambling [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_canvas","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegamblingcommissionisfailing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegamblingcommissionisfailing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegamblingcommissionisfailing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegamblingcommissionisfailing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegamblingcommissionisfailing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thegamblingcommissionisfailing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegamblingcommissionisfailing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}