The UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform has launched a comprehensive inquiry into the future of gambling laws and oversight across Great Britain, one that could have far-reaching consequences for digital platforms and new verticals like esports.
The inquiry, which runs from July 17 to September 12, 2025, seeks to modernize the country’s regulatory framework in response to rapid digital transformation and growing concerns around gambling harm. Both land-based and online gambling will fall under scrutiny, with the group specifically looking at how existing policies intersect with public health, economic stability, and technological innovation.
“This inquiry will play a crucial role in shaping our recommendations to the government,” APP chair Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP said. “It is clear that much more needs to be done to ensure our regulatory framework is fit for the digital age to protect people from harm.”
UK APPG on Gambling Reform’s inquiry covers major policies
The parliamentary investigation will assess a number of key proposals first raised in the 2023 Gambling Act white paper. Among the main topics under review are stake limits on online casino products, which aim to curb excessive losses and reduce gambling-related harm.
The APPG is also examining the implementation of statutory levies that would require gambling operators to contribute to funding for research, education, and treatment services.
In addition, the inquiry will consider the effectiveness of financial risk checks designed to protect vulnerable players, as well as stricter advertising rules to limit exposure, particularly among young people. Another potential reform on the table is the creation of an independent industry ombudsman to handle disputes and consumer complaints.
Beyond these specific proposals, the APPG will take a closer look at the Gambling Commission’s overall performance and evaluate whether existing harm prevention strategies are adequate in the face of today’s gambling challenges.
Alex Ballinger, Labour MP and vice chair of the APPG, made clear the group’s ambitions: “Today’s gambling industry requires stronger and more effective regulation across a range of areas—from advertising and taxation to the future of land-based gambling. This inquiry will be wide-ranging, including asking if it is time for a new Gambling Act.”
Why esports must be part of the conversation
Although the inquiry addresses a broad set of gambling-related issues, there’s a strong case for including esports and virtual betting markets. Games like League of Legends, Dota 2, CS2, and VALORANT are at the core of a rapidly expanding industry that draws millions of fans, many of them young and digitally engaged. As the popularity of esports rises, so does the scale and complexity of the betting activity around it, raising urgent regulatory challenges that existing laws struggle to handle.
Unlike traditional sports betting, esports gambling often takes place on platforms that mix gaming, social interaction, and virtual economies. These environments can blur the lines between entertainment, competition, and real-money gambling, exposing under-18 users and vulnerable individuals to significant risk.
Moreover, esports betting is rapidly globalising. With international events, skins betting, and crypto-integrated wagering platforms becoming more prevalent, the UK’s regulatory efforts must evolve to monitor and control these emerging markets.
