The petition against the financial checks proposed in the Gambling Act review white paper has gained significant support. Nevin Truesdale, CEO of the Jockey Club, registered the petition in early November, and by the end of the month, it had received over 100,000 signatures, meeting the requirement for parliamentary discussion.
A debate has now been scheduled for 26 February following discussions in Westminster Hall. Julie Harrington, CEO of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), acknowledged the strong opposition to the proposed checks, stating that millions of people enjoy betting on horseracing without any negative effects. The BHA will advocate for changes to the Gambling Commission’s affordability check proposals to protect the sport’s financial future and minimize the impact on racing bettors.
The affordability checks mentioned in the white paper have faced criticism within the industry. Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the Gambling Commission, noted that financial checks dominated responses to the white paper consultations. A survey revealed that almost half of the respondents were willing to turn to the black market if affordability checks were implemented. Rhodes, however, argues that these concerns are overstated.
In November, the Jockey Club estimated that affordability checks could cost the racing industry £250m over the next five years and could require bettors to prove they can afford to gamble if they lose £1.37 per day. Rhodes countered the opposition by highlighting the Patterns of Play research, which shows that the most profitable one percent accounts for 70.4 percent of gross gambling yield. However, there is debate over what defines an “active” and “dormant” account, as many accounts in the UK are only used sporadically for major betting events.
While the white paper aims to strengthen regulatory powers to combat illegal gambling in the UK, there is concern that the affordability checks may drive vulnerable players towards the black market. David Brown, a UK industry veteran, warns that intrusive affordability checks can encourage illegal operators. He emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts within the industry to identify and prosecute illegal activity, including blocking illegal traffic and advertising and addressing non-digital betting within the UK.
