Ban on free bets would 'punish punters and hit the racing levy'

A ban on promotions such as free bets offers would punish punters who bet safely and hit British racing's funding by millions of pounds per year, according to the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

Anti-gambling campaigners have called for promotions such as free bets to be banned as part of the government's upcoming gambling review.

Minister Chris Philp has said the government is "looking closely at promotional offers and inducements offered by gambling operators".

The BGC said research carried out by YouGov found that 69 per cent of punters said free bets should be allowed, while 63 per cent said they found promotions to be a valuable part of their hobby.

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said: "Promotions and offers are part of the customer experience for any vibrant industry, including our intensely competitive sector, which supports 119,000 jobs and brings in £4.4 billion in taxes to the Treasury.

"Blanket bans on offers would be anti-punter and would severely degrade that customer experience, punishing the overwhelming majority of punters who bet safely. Problem gambling is 0.2 per cent. Imagine the outcry if supermarkets were forced to ban offers and promotions for beer and wine? We see no difference to our industry."

The BGC also said the polling had found 28 per cent of respondents would consider black market betting if free bets were banned.

It also claimed that analysis conducted by the BGC found the move would hit British racing's funding by approximately £5 million a year, as free bets are subject to the levy.

Dugher added: "We support the government's 'evidence-led' approach to gambling reform, which is why any changes should be carefully targeted to protect vulnerable players and those at risk, not the vast majority who bet safely.

"Ministers shouldn't be sticking their nose into how people choose to spend their own money, and the last thing they should be doing at this time is damaging business and sport."

The government's white paper is expected to be published in July.

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