Will UK radio gambling laws change under the Labour Government? 

The Labour government’s stance on gambling reform in the UK has garnered considerable attention.

Proponents of the radio gambling industry are paying close attention in light of potential regulatory changes that could affect radio advertising for gambling and gambling conducted via gambling radio stations.

Despite the Labour Party’s commitment to addressing gambling-related concerns, as outlined in its 2024 manifesto, details on specific measures remain sparse. Much of the party’s focus has been on continuing the work initiated by the Conservative government, particularly with respect to the 2023 Gambling White Paper, which introduced several key reforms aimed at modernising gambling regulations and enhancing protections for vulnerable individuals.

However, for many gambling enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy playing via online casinos, these measures already represent a legal regime they deem overly restrictive. According to gambling expert Rick Elliot, players who are self-excluded from playing on local sites are turning to non-Gamstop casino UK reviews to find less restrictive offshore sites. 

These sites are growing in popularity as they attract local players to overseas platforms that provide perks like better bonuses, faster payouts, and anonymous play. With gambling laws set to possibly tighten even further under the Labour government, this exodus of local players could continue to grow. 

One of the central elements of the Labour government’s approach is addressing gambling-related societal concerns. This has led to growing pressure on the government to regulate advertising, especially on public platforms like radio, where gambling ads remain pervasive and people can even gamble via platforms like Betting Radio. 

Calls for reform have intensified due to concerns about the impact of such services, with organisations like CARE urging the government to adopt stricter advertising rules—particularly in sports-related content. Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), has also been urged to prioritise gambling reform in her agenda.

The ongoing review of the Gambling Act, originally passed in 2005, is another significant factor influencing potential changes. The Labour Party is expected to uphold some of the reforms proposed in the White Paper. Among them are discussions about implementing tighter restrictions on advertising, particularly during times when children and vulnerable individuals may be more exposed.

However, despite these intentions, there is concern that Labour’s reforms may not go far enough. Critics have pointed out that Labour’s manifesto lacked specific details on how the party plans to regulate gambling advertising beyond vague commitments.

Furthermore, while Labour has expressed support for the Gambling White Paper’s proposals, some argue that the current £100 million levy earmarked for tackling gambling issues is insufficient to address the scale of the issue, which requires significantly more funding.

As it stands, the Labour government appears poised to build on the existing framework rather than overhaul it entirely. Ministers Stephanie Peacock and Lisa Nandy now oversee the gambling portfolio. Neither are expected to make drastic changes but will likely follow through with the measures outlined by their predecessors. 

This could include reforms aimed at reducing the visibility of gambling ads on platforms like radio. However, the specifics of how and when these will be implemented remain uncertain. While changes to UK radio gambling laws under the Labour government are likely, the extent of these reforms remains unclear at this point.