Restrictions and the black market: surely the time has come for bookmakers to confront the link between them
The damage caused by unintended consequences can be huge. This has become particularly true in the gambling sector, where decisions taken by the regulator and bookmakers have left British racing and punters counting the cost.
One of the difficulties all too regularly being encountered by punters is the inability to count what they believe to be their own money.
A Racing Post special report on bookmakers blocking punter withdrawals revealed no other issue produces more complaints to the Gambling Commission, which insists it wants to tackle the problem. It might, of course, be one of the root causes.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inLee Mottershead
Last updated
- No-one has ever emerged from the womb wearing a trilby - racing's future survival hangs on pursuing a young audience
- Plummeting betting turnover leaves British racing in a precarious state - whatever the sales numbers might suggest
- British racing's leaders past and present have spoken with one voice - there must be change
- A prime minister who likes racing and a bet can be only a good thing - just like Aidan O'Brien's transparency
- Racing has a lifelong responsibility to racehorses - deciding who is responsible is a vital next step
- No-one has ever emerged from the womb wearing a trilby - racing's future survival hangs on pursuing a young audience
- Plummeting betting turnover leaves British racing in a precarious state - whatever the sales numbers might suggest
- British racing's leaders past and present have spoken with one voice - there must be change
- A prime minister who likes racing and a bet can be only a good thing - just like Aidan O'Brien's transparency
- Racing has a lifelong responsibility to racehorses - deciding who is responsible is a vital next step