Anger rising?  You bet. The industry is currently processing the government’s decision to  allow the Gambling Commission to hike its fees up by 25 percent.  

By any standards, a 25 point rise would be considered astronomical – but despite overwhelming hostility to the rise in the consultation process, the government has ignored the responses and backed the increase.

And it’s not being well received. In the absence of any stakes and prizes rise since 2013, the industry has had two massive fee outlays added to its annual accounts: the Gambling Levy and now the Commission fee rise. And there remains no route opened up by the government for high street businesses to offset some of that outlay.

And that case was rubbed in salt by a tone deaf DCMS that noted “the rise is necessary to ensure the Gambling Commission can continue to recover its costs and meet its regulatory responsibilities.”

So why is the industry not afforded the same opportunity? That question will be pressed by the industry which has argued that the Commission should not be afforded any increase at least until an investigation is undertaken in to whether it is fit for purpose.

But whilst it is a headline increase, it’s still an increase and offers further evidence to the argument that  this is an anti-business and over-regulation government.

One key industry figure responded “what’s the point of a consultation if you have no intention of listening?”   Well, the warning signs are there: government advisors would do well to read the latest Bacta Pulse survey which suggests a rise in the Tory vote in the industry’s constituencies. And that’s a vibe that  might cause concern.