Racing Post readers on affordability: absurd loss limit makes black market a tempting alternative

I am writing to protest at the diabolical treatment I have received from Coral/Ladbrokes over affordability checks.

I have been gambling with them for more than 40 years and all of a sudden they have imposed a £125.00 loss limit a month on my account without my requesting it.  This absurd amount has been set because I am a pensioner with a minimal income (but substantial savings). Up until this ludicrous limit was set, I was regularly placing £500 bets which I am lucky enough to afford.

In order to get my loss limit increased, I have to provide three months worth of bank statements and proof of earnings. This is a gross imposition and I have threatened to close my accounts unless the absurd loss limit is not improved.

I am contemplating opening up a black market account because this is an intolerable situation. There is simply no provision or allowances made for income poor but cash asset rich punters.
Richard Ames

Annoyance at draconian measures

I am 62 years of age and have enjoyed gambling since I was a teenager. Recently Betfair have caused me great annoyance and disappointment with their draconian interpretation of these affordability checks that I have stopped gambling with them.

I have a good deal of savings and investments and I am mortgage-free, however, because I have retired I can't show a large income and Betfair have now limited me to £1,000 deposit per calendar month.

While I would not be in the habit of depositing this kind of cash every month, for the Cheltenham Festival I have deposited between £7,000 and £10,000 for the past ten years and have had great fun.

Betfair won't allow me to do this now, despite the fact that I can well afford to do so.
Jack

Prohibition has never worked

I have lost several accounts due to non-compliance with requests for personal information. I was given a monthly loss limit of £100 with Betfair (which is a losing account) so I excluded myself from them and have lost Paddy Power and Skybet accounts as a result. 

I received a similar request from LiveScore/Virgin Bet. I decided I would comply and provided bank statements, confirming income and savings. Further payslips were requested, despite clear entries showing a payroll transaction. The reason given was that it was to comply with Gambling Commission direction. Yet the remaining two active UK accounts, one losing, one in front, have yet to ask for any verification.

I have now decided to open accounts with non-Gamstop firms. Initial interaction seems good; if payout is secure and reasonably quick then the loss of UK accounts are of no consequence personally.

As in the betting ring, the only things that matter when placing a bet is that I am over 18 years of age and I have the stake. Prohibition has never worked.
Alex Dunigan

Who do they think they are?

I was recently informed by bet365 they had 'reviewed' my account and set the limit of my deposits to £250. This despite my having set my own satisfactory limits which I am comfortable with. I have been betting small stakes on horses for 40-odd years and love my horseracing. I was unable to make a deposit and unable to place a bet; bet365 in effect closed my account. I wrote to them and explained that as I am now retired this was my pastime and online betting meant I did not have to go out in bad weather to my high street bookmaker. They told me I must phone them and speak to discuss my account change. I told them I was not prepared to do this and now I have to make a daily trip to the betting shop to have a bet. 

Who do they think they are telling me what I can afford? I have always bet responsibly and always will. I am extremely angry.
Alan Rae

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