The Gambling Act 2005 places the protection of children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling as one of the principal objectives of gambling regulation for the first time. The Act also establishes a powerful new regulator, the Gambling Commission, responsible for ensuring UK gambling operators are meeting the Government’s licensing objectives.
All gambling operators must comply with tough social responsibility measures or risk losing their licence. These measures include procedures to prevent under-age gambling, procedures for self-exclusion, information about how to access help in relation to problem gambling, and a commitment to contribute to research, education and treatment of problem gambling. However if there is evidence that the objectives of the Act are not being met, the Government have wide-ranging powers to introduce further regulations and restrictions.