Drawing on what Regulus Partners has said is a number of false premises, a group of MPs have asked government to wade in and launch yet another lengthy review of the Gambling Act. And one wonders why the British economy, British infrastructure and British high streets are in perilous danger – from friendly fire.

Not even two years on from the publication of the White Paper resulting from the Gambling Act Review, and over  five years of vigorous debate and evidence gathering,  a group of MPs are asking for more reform, and yet another review of current UK gambling legislation. 

For those that have endured the arduous journey of the Gambling Act Review, this intervention is  foolhardy and naive, bordering on the irresponsible. For those that might be listening to it, it would be irresponsible.

So, what do the political sound-bite chasers say.

In a May 7 letter sent to government by Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, on behalf of the Health and Social Care Committee, the group of cross-party MPs called not only for further clamp downs on gambling advertisements, but actually appeared to throw their weight behind the prospect of an entire new review process of the Gambling Act. 

“We believe that the Government should review the Gambling Act to ensure that the current legislative framework gives all agencies the power and responsibilities needed to deliver a total system response,” it read. 

With many of the recommendations of the White Paper still only in a trial phase, it’s small wonder that  heavyweight industry consultant Dan Waugh, partner at Regulus Partners has called the letter “remarkably ill-informed.”

“The committee spoke with a number of anti-gambling activists and appear to have accepted everything they were told at face value,” he told iGaming Business in an interview earlier this week. 

Meanwhile, SBC News editor Ted Orme-Claye concurred that the HSC panel had their heads very firmly up in the clouds. 

Which is probably a higher place than most other analysts believe the Parliamentary activists have their heads. But one thing the journo was clear about was how the stakeholders view the prospect of another round of review.

“Given the Gambling Act review was delayed multiple times, took around two and a half years to complete and was overseen by at least eight different ministers and/or under-secretaries, the government’s appetite for this will probably be lacking,” he said.