UK’s Decision to Dump the GDPR Raises Concerns for Online Gambling Sector

Richard M. October 5, 2022 3 minute read

The UK is facing financial turbulence because of changing its way from participating in European Union. Leaving the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) program can cause problems for the gaming sector.

The United Kingdom is facing a specific period of financial disturbance by being away from the European Union. The country may experience several other problems with its decision of exiting the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) program.

Lix Truss, the new prime minister of the UK decided that the country is no longer in need of GDPR. This idea has been spreading for a long time with the talks of Brexit, and it’s apparently becoming a reality now.

Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), said that the UK would apply new rules by replacing the EU’s data privacy act. Due to this, gaming operators will struggle with two systems: one for the UK and the other for the EU.

Dumping GDPR is not a surprise as four months ago, the UK announced that something was in process. Despite taking a long time as compared to what the government estimated, the country will introduce its digital information and data protection bill at some point.

The UK has discussed making its own rules for many years, and the overall concept has been aligned with the European Union guidelines. Last year, the European Union agreed on the suggested proposals. Although it said in case of too many changes by the UK, the proposal will be withdrawn.

I am announcing that we will be replacing GDPR with our own business and consumer-friendly, British data protection system. Our plan will protect consumer privacy and keep their data safe, whilst retaining our data adequacy so businesses can trade freely,” Donelan said.

Donelan explained that the UK can secure the data of consumers without extensive regulations. She said it’s done in countries like New Zealand and Japan.

She also said business operations would be easier through this move, but those businesses didn’t share this sentiment. Those UK companies serving the EU must comply with two sets of rules.