The Commission explains that as part of its role as a people-focused and evidence-led regulator, it is constantly studying and delivering ways to improve its data, research and evidence. It says that this work supports better regulation and better outcomes for the millions of consumers who gamble in Great Britain.

As a key part of this work, the Commission has unveiled its Evidence Gaps and Priorities programme, which outlines the direction of travel for the next three years. The document sets out a cohesive and consistent framework for improving the evidence base, in line with the Commission’s regulatory duties. Following its Setting the Evidence Agenda conference earlier this year, the Commission says that it will also help external stakeholders better understand the scope of the regulator’s remit and where they can contribute to improving the evidence base.

Through the programme, the Commission has identified six evidence themes which cover the gaps and research questions that must be answered to enable it to regulate effectively:

• early gambling experiences and gateway products;
• the range and variability of gambling experiences;
• gambling-related harms and vulnerability;
• the impact of operator practices;
• product characteristics and risk; and
• illegal gambling and crime.

The Commission says that these themes build on the strong foundation already in place. However, with the Gambling Act Review White Paper now published, it says that the next few years provide a further opportunity to make real progress towards making gambling in Great Britain safer, fairer and crime-free. To read the Commission’s press release in full and for a link to the programme, click here.