The delayed UK Government White Paper into gambling reform will contain several measures. One is rumoured to be the creation of a Gambling Ombudsman. One body looking to fill that position is the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS).
In their view they are the perfect candidate for such a role if it is indeed created. The job would entail protecting consumers from the dangers of gambling harm. It would also see them working to raise standards in the UK gambling industry.
IBAS are already busy with their alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service. This can be used by those who don’t go to the UK Gambling Commission to resolve any problems with gambling companies.
Even though the position of Gambling Ombudsman has not been officially confirmed, IBAS have outlineed what their aims would be and the goals they would want to achieve as Gambling Ombudsman.
This would include new and compulsory funding from the industry. This would see that there is central impartiality with all gamblig disputes that are looked into. The introduction of a Fair Play Code would be used to give an outline of the criteria for deciding complaints. Part of this would be the creation of fairness terms and conditions for gambling harm related complaints.
The Managing Director of IBAS is Richard Hayler. He explained why they would be ideal candidates for the role of Gambling Ombudsman. “IBAS’s experience, expertise and commitment to independent decisions is unparalleled – having resolved over 85,000 gambling disputes,” he said.
Mr Hayler is all for the creation of a Gambling Ombudsman but believes there is only one way it would work. “It needs to be run by an organisation that understands the sector and has a track record of helping and protecting consumers.” That of course is IBAS.
With “additional resources, built on the foundations of IBAS,” the position would be “ best placed to hit the ground running, protecting consumers and raising industry standards through fair, consistent decision making and constructive dispute avoidance feedback.”
Those views are echoed by the IBAS Chairman Andrew Fraser. He believes that this is “an exciting time for the gambling industry.” Creating a Gambling Ombudsman would “enhance the service offered to gaming customers.”
He added that their plan for the position “would make sure consumers are protected and avoid the backlog of complaints” This would be ideal for the government, the regulator and the gambling industry.
The White Paper may be released sometime in September. It certainly won’t happen before the new Prime Minister is appointed on September 5.
