Table 3.

Selected quotes to illustrate themes identified in industry responses to the inquiries

Framing of the problem
Most people drink/gamble responsibly
‘It ignores the fact that again, millions of people go out in the UK and across London every week without incident and enjoy themselves, form new friendships, relax, get inspired and go home’ (Night Time industries Association, Alcohol Industry Trade Association)
‘As in other areas of regulation, it would be wrong to judge a whole sector on the actions of some outliers who maliciously or inadvertently are in breach of the rules’ (Responsible Affiliates in Gambling, SAPRO)
The evidence of harms is overstated
‘It is our perception that research is dominated by middle class academic thinking and it does not accommodate sufficiently a wide range of potentially difficult views from others’ (Bacta, Gambling Trade Association—Amusements Operators/Machine Manufacturers)
Other actors are to blame
‘There are no such rules and regulations stopping consumers from taking high interest credit facilities to buy luxury items or luxury consumer goods beyond the consumers’ affordability, likewise no obligations or systems enforced on retailers to ensure customers are aware of how much alcohol or tobacco is being purchased and consumed’ (Bet Victor Limited, Off-Shore Gambling Operator)
‘We also believe that the vast majority of alcohol related problems are created away from the on-trade where there is a trained Designated Premises Supervisor to supervise responsible drinking and the age of the individuals consuming alcohol … There are no such controls in the off-trade once alcohol has left the premises’ (Admiral Taverns, Pub Operator)
‘We believe that the primary reason for the prevalence of anti-gambling industry related sentiment in the UK is both the volume and the tone of gambling advertising in and around televised sports events’ (Rank Group, On-Shore Operator—Bingo & Casinos)
The industry is part of the solution
‘We are aware of criticism of industry participation in research but contend that the involvement of licensees involves a number of benefits (including better access to consumers and consumer data and greater engagement in harm reduction)’ (Hippodrome Casino Limited, Land based gambling operator)
Framing of the solution
The industry is socially responsible
‘The off-trade has led the way in the introduction of age verification schemes such as ‘Challenge 25’ and partnership schemes including Community Alcohol Partnerships. This has helped to significantly reduce the number of underage people purchasing alcohol’ (Association of Convenience Stores, Alcohol Trade association—On-Trade Retailers)
Targeted and/or localised solutions are needed
‘A higher Minimum Unit Price would push up the prices in shops for around half of all alcohol for consumers in England and Wales and impact on those on the lowest incomes. It is not a targeted measure, hitting all drinkers regardless of how responsible they consume alcohol and is unlikely to impact those the heaviest drinkers that are least responsive to price changes’ (Wine and Spirit Trade Association, Alcohol Trade Association)
The problem is too complex to be solved by population measures
‘Blanket approaches to control so called ‘super-strength’ products are ineffective in tackling complex alcohol-related issues and are in stark contrast to the collaborative and locally targeted initiatives that are broadly considered by the majority of stakeholders as the preferred approach’ (British Beer and Pub Association, Alcohol Trade Association)
A population level response would be harmful
Harms to consumers
‘Further restrictions on the on-trade could irreversibly damage the sector and further tip the balance to the off trade—where consumption is unregulated and therefore health risks to the consumer are greater’ (Campaign for Real Ale, SAPRO)
‘We feel that the UK regulators sometimes miss the very great contribution pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, make to society, whether through jobs, investment or even simply the socialising that is enjoyed by millions on a weekly of not daily basis’ (Beds and Bars, on-trade alcohol retailer—pub operator)
Harms to industry
‘We can go about do-good projects to protect a tiny, but vocal element, of problem gamblers and the cottage industry that has grown up to support the same. However, in doing so we wreck our economy, put thousands out of work, decimate our High Streets and industries such as Racing who depend upon gambling to survive’ (Geoff Banks Sports Advisors, Online gambling operator (sports betting))
Harms to the wider economy
‘It is important to note that the Government’s Economic Impact Assessment highlighted that an MUP of 45p would cost the Treasury £200 m in lost revenue and also cost consumers an additional £1bn and, at a time of significant uncertainty for business and the Government, this could have a significant impact’ (Wine and Trade Spirit Association, Alcohol Trade Association—manufacturers)