Affordability checks could see some gamblers turn to black market operators

A worrying 45 per cent of self-identified regular gamblers surveyed would consider turning to black market gambling sites if confronted with the prospect of affordability checks by licensed companies.

The figure emerged on Monday from research commissioned by Entain, the parent company of Ladbrokes and Coral, which looked into attitudes to betting and gaming as well as possible restrictions which could emerge from the government's gambling review.

The research follows a warning at the weekend from Arena Racing's chief executive Martin Cruddace that British racing faces losing as much as £100 million a year if strict affordability checks on betting are introduced.

He said up to 70 per cent of punters on horseracing would reject having to prove they could afford a net gambling loss of £100 a month.

The survey of 1,500 people across the UK also found that 73 per cent were concerned about sharing their data and potential privacy issues should checks on their income be recommended in the government review, which is currently taking public submissions from interested parties.

The review was launched on December 8 last year by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – some 15 years after the most recent Gambling Act reached the statute book – with the stated aim of examining potential avenues to increase protection for problem gamblers.

While broadly welcoming the review, leaders across the racing and gambling industries have strongly challenged proposals surrounding either staking limits or income checks for those who lose a certain amount within a given time.

Significant loss of revenue – and thus both levy payments to racing and taxation to government – have been a key part of the message from operators, while the research aims to highlight the danger of customers seeking illegal or black market ways to continue their gambling rather than expose themselves to such checks.

Entain also announced the formation of a "players panel", which it claims will give a voice to millions of punters who enjoy betting responsibly and lead to a more balanced debate as new legislation is considered.

The panel consists of Entain customers whose views will be solicited on a range of potential issues surrounding the gambling review and who the company underlines are both independent and unpaid.

The fieldwork for the survey was conducted in early December – shortly before the DCMS officially launched the review – by C/T Group, a market research and campaign company founded by Sir Lynton Crosby and Mark Textor and which has worked on high-profile national elections in both Britain and Australia.

Read more:

Arc boss Cruddace warns of £100m hit to racing from punter affordability checks

Racing faces 'existential threat' if rigid bet limits imposed warns pro-punter

Chancellor Rishi Sunak listens to fears over affordability checks on punters

Affordability checks could drive punters away from racing says bettors' forum

Punters' body sounds warning on review's proposed affordability checks

Spend limits considered as gambling review is launched by government

Gambling Commission issues final warning to industry over VIP schemes

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