Poll: two-thirds of punters voice black market fears over spending limits

Two-thirds of punters believe compulsory spending limits on betting will drive more people to the black market, according to polling carried out for industry body the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

A new survey carried out by YouGov also found 64 per cent of the public fear the increased use of illegal sites would trigger a rise in problem gambling rates. The BGC claims the number of people gambling on black market sites in the UK has doubled to 460,000 in recent years.

The news comes as both the gambling and racing industries wait for the government to publish its long-delayed gambling review white paper.

The white paper is expected to include proposals for affordability checks, the issue which has caused most concern for both punters and British racing's leadership.

It has been estimated the annual cost to the sport's revenues could reach as much as £100 million if the most draconian proposals are adopted for checks at levels as low as a monthly loss of £100, which have been called for by campaigners.

Earlier this year there were reports the white paper contained plans for detailed checks which would take place for losses of £1,000 in 24 hours, as well as for a £2,000 net loss over 90 days, while background checks would start at £125 net loss within one month, or £500 within a year.

In the summer BHA chair Joe Saumarez Smith said checks that have already been introduced which ask punters for personal information such as bank statements and tax returns were already having an impact on the levy and media rights income.

As well as the 67 per cent who said compulsory limits risked pushing punters to the black market, the BGC said polling found that nearly 70 per cent of punters said they would not be willing to allow gambling operators to carry out compulsory affordability checks to prove they can afford to bet.

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher called on ministers to consider the YouGov polling as they prepare to publish the gambling white paper over the coming weeks.

Michael Dugher: BGC chief is a 'strong supporter' of the gambling review

Dugher said: "We strongly support the gambling review as a further opportunity to raise standards and promote safer gambling.

"Ministers have rightly always said it will be an evidence-led process, these poll findings are an important reminder of the risks of getting this wrong by introducing arbitrary blanket spending checks on anyone who likes a flutter.

"Any changes introduced by the government must be carefully targeted so that we protect the vulnerable and intervene on those showing signs of harm, while not driving the vast majority of millions of punters who bet safely towards the growing unsafe black market online, where there are none of the safer gambling protections used by BGC members."

The government launched its gambling review nearly two years ago promising to update legislation so it is "fit for the digital age". However, those proposals have been much delayed by the political turmoil this year, and there is now a race against time to publish the white paper before Christmas.

This week government minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said the government would "publish a white paper setting out our conclusions and next steps in the coming weeks".

Have you been affected by intrusive affordability checks? If so, we would like to hear from you. Email us (editor@racingpost.com) with the subject 'Affordability checks' to share your experiences and contact details

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