Gambling Commission Calls for Partnership, Not Punishment

At the recent Hospice Lotteries Association Conference, the UK’s Gambling Commission delivered a message that was at once firm and encouraging: ongoing compliance and cooperation between regulators and regulated operators isn’t optional; it’s essential. Drawing on the latest data, regulatory developments, and examples of best practice, Angus underscored how a collaborative relationship based on early compliance delivers better outcomes for businesses, communities, and public trust.

It was acknowledged that hospice lotteries play a significant role in society, highlighting the substantial amount raised for good causes, as well as the impact they have on vulnerable people and communities. But the message was clear: rewards come with responsibility.

Public confidence in gambling hinges on whether lotteries are fair, safe, crime-free, and properly regulated. Regulatory compliance, therefore, especially when engaged proactively, is not merely about ticking boxes, but about maintaining legitimacy.

The Director of Policy walked listeners through recent figures from sector-wide data. He noted that in 2023-24, society lotteries raised more than £1 billion in proceeds, reaching a new milestone. Contributions to good causes also rose significantly, reflecting strong public support for lotteries run under regulated and compliant frameworks.

Still, he warned that even with those gains, operators cannot relax. Changes to key personnel, irregularities in reporting, or lapses in following updated rules continue to occur. One recurring theme is the importance of early engagement and communicating with licensees before problems arise. Whether notifying the regulator of leadership changes, raising concerns about operations, or seeking clarity about obligations, those early conversations help avoid misunderstandings, enforcement actions, and reputational harm.

The Commission claims to support licensees in various ways, including through guidance documents, workshops, data-reporting tools, and by ensuring that regulatory developments are communicated clearly and with opportunities for input.

Modernisation, legislative changes, and shifting social expectations are reshaping how compliance is defined and enforced. He referenced updates to data-reporting requirements, statutory levies intended to fund research and harm-prevention, and consultations underway that affect society lotteries. These shifts underscore that compliance isn’t static, as operators profit from being adaptive and well-informed.

Perhaps most crucially, there was an emphasis on collaboration not being about regulatory leniency, but rather a shared purpose. Regulators and providers alike benefit when standards are met, when communities trust licensed operations, and when harm is prevented before it escalates. He made clear the Commission still possesses enforcement powers, but its preference is to see standards maintained through cooperation rather than conflict.

For lottery operators and those in the sector, the message is practical: stay current with regulations, inform the Gambling Commission of key changes (such as shifts in management or contact information), engage with sector-wide consultations, attend workshops, and utilize available compliance resources. Doing so isn’t just about meeting license requirements; it helps protect the brand reputation, avoids costly surprises, and ensures that funds raised continue to support the intended causes.