The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has commissioned NatCen to conduct an evaluation of the Gambling Act Review, with operators invited to feed back on how policy changes are being implemented, their effectiveness and impact.
But be careful what you wish for.
The survey focuses on evaluating policy measures related to online gambling, land-based gambling, and marketing and advertising, while NatCen will also hold in-depth interviews with a variety of gambling operators.
And boy will they be in for a shock when they get the feedback. But the evergreen NatCen are delightfully wide-eyed and enthisiastic.
“The survey and interviews will help NatCen, DCMS and GC monitor and evaluate the outcomes and impacts of the GAR,” states NatCen. “We want to better understand how effectively the changes are being delivered and if they are achieving their intended outcomes and impacts.”
“Participation in the survey and interviews is voluntary; you do not have to take part if you do not want to. If you agree to participate, you do not have to answer all questions, and you can skip questions should you want to.”
Those completing the survey may be contacted to take part in interviews, or operators can email
All responses will be confidential and aggregated for analysis, and all eligible operators have been emailed a survey link and an individual access code.
You really want to hear our view on the GAR?
Calling all in the industry: express your opinion – and say it as it is, not as the government thinks it is.
There’s a smug sense of achievement on the faces of many in the GAR delivery process, that is begging to be slapped right across the chops.
The degree of destruction and decimation inflicted upon the industry is not even factored into the GAR review plan and that can only be addressed by brutal honesty.
Coinslot raged last week that it’s seven years since the GAR was first mooted and it still feels light years away from any acceptable conclusion.
Fit for the digital age was the original objective; well that’s passed us by.
And we only have the government to blame. It’s bowed to the regulator, its naive back-bench MPs and the constant wave of misinformation from the prohibitionist lobby.
You want an assessment of the Gambling Act Review, here’s one that resonates around the entire industry: you’ve fucked it up.
Seven years and there will be no meaningful change to drive growth, investment, regenerate the high streets and stop illegal gambling. You’ve given more power to an inadequate regulator instead of checking its abuse of power.
And the GAR has displayed an absolute paucity of vision and an unbelievable lack of understanding by the government of the amusements, gaming and gambling sector.
The default gear is always reverse and that is a shocking indictment of a government that promised growth.
How’s that for a GAR assessment?
Originally published on Coinslot on April 28, 2026. Republished with permission.