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<p>The Gambling Commission has both regulatory and criminal powers, and its investigation
remit covers either regulatory failing by licensees (under LCCP) or criminal offences
(under the Gambling Act 2005). The Commission does not record whether an investigation
is related to a novel product, but in response to the collapse of BetIndex Limited,
the Commission updated how it assesses risk so that novel products are properly considered.</p><p>The
Commission often refuses a licence to operators if they are shown to be novel at the
licence application stage (e.g. if they use cryptocurrency as a source of funds or
intend to offer consumers cryptocurrency as a route to play). It cannot bring a prosecution
under the Gambling Act 2005 regarding an aspect of a product which is outside of its
remit.</p><p>The Gambling Commission at all times strives to recruit people with the
skills, knowledge and diversity required to regulate the fast moving and innovative
gambling sector but it does not retain information on where its staff join from and
on the scope of their earlier careers. As well as staff with specialisms in areas
of gambling such as cryptocurrency and NFTs, the Commission’s market insights specialists
help anticipate industry developments.</p><p>All staff in the Commission’s Operations
team (around 30% of its workforce) have the technical experience to investigate novel
products and new technologies and where content is challenging, call on subject matter
experts as appropriate (internal or external). The most recent estimate for the Commission’s
overall headcount was around 320.</p><p>In order to help equip the Commission to tackle
the rate of technological change, four years ago the Commission established a Digital
Advisory Panel to advise on the digital landscape and emerging trends which may impact
on how the gambling market operates, how the Commission interacts with operators and
how they interact with consumers. The Digital Advisory Panel works with staff to explore
the impact of emerging technologies on the Commission’s regulatory and policy work
to ensure that they are a future-fit and effective regulator.</p><p>The Commission
does not comment on ongoing cases. Each case has its own circumstances, and the length
of prosecution depends on the case complexity and the court process.</p>
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