Who funded the Gambling Policy Commission and is it independent?
A newly formed Gambling Policy Commission in the UK has said it will review gambling laws and propose changes. However, its funding comes from Derek Webb, a supporter of gambling reform, and its independence is being questioned.
The newly formed Gambling Policy Commission (GPC) was announced on 9 November. The organisation said it has begun reviewing the UK's legal framework for gambling and will advocate changes to the law based on input from the industry and the wider community.
The GPC's seed funding is provided by entrepreneur and gambling reform advocate Derek Webb. Webb is known for playing a significant role in lowering the stake limits on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs). He also advocates increasing taxes on remote gambling.
Among the members is Dr James Noyes, a former senior fellow at the Social Market Foundation (SMF). Noyes has advocated for stricter compliance checks and significant increases in gambling duty. The committee also includes figures from the fields of economics, academia, politics and horse racing.
According to the statement on the GPC's project page, members have full intellectual independence over their research and outputs. The organisation also says it is open to talks with additional funders. On the same day, Webb told NEXT.io that the commission would be of value to a Labour government and would conduct an independent review. Webb said that Labour's 2019 election manifesto included a commitment to a new Gambling Act, and that the absence of this commitment from the 2024 manifesto was something he also regretted.
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