The Gambling Commission has extended the deadline of its consultation on gaming machine technical standards and related testing strategy beyond 20 May, with responses now being accepted until 3 June 2025.

As well as proposals to consolidate the 12 existing gaming machine technical standards, the consultation also covers the introduction of five new standards, a licence condition and provision of a social responsibility code.

“We recognise that regulatory changes that impact the design of machines can come with considerable costs,” said executive director for research and policy Tim Miller. “We are encouraging consumers, gambling businesses and other interested groups to share evidence that will assist us in measuring both the likely regulatory impacts of the proposed changes and the likely costs of implementing them.”

“This evidence will be invaluable to helping make a robust assessment on whether the benefits to consumers are proportionate to the costs involved.”

The expectation that this might actually be the case is met with incredulity in many circles: this Commission, above all others, has mastered the art of stifling innovation and almost every possibility of growth as evidenced by the number and reach of its consultation points.

By way of example, the consultation includes proposals on time and monetary limit setting functionality and information provision, such as safer gambling messaging and the display of net position and session time.

Also proposed is the amendment of three existing standards to improve customer enjoyment and gameplay, revision of the existing technical standards to be more consistent with the remote gambling and software technical standards, and the removal of “obsolete material.”