OpinionLee Mottershead
premium
Punters are being hit by double blow of checks and restrictions
Lee MottersheadSenior writer
Punters simply want to be laid a fair bet and the right to gamble without onerous state interferenceCredit: Alan Crowhurst
The Westminster Hall debate was not a waste of time but too much time was wasted.
For just over two and a half hours, one member of parliament after another spoke good sense about why regulating gambling through affordability checks is damaging and self-defeating.
Minister Stuart Andrew heard a series of impassioned addresses that bordered on pleas and was told in simple terms why affordability checks are wrong pragmatically and in principle, but when he concluded the debate most MPs might have wondered why they had bothered.
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
Copy
more inLee Mottershead
- Racing leaders face huge decisions - but could any amount of money justify relinquishing control of the crown jewels?
- The Jockey Club knows how it is perceived and wants to change - but that change must happen faster
- The numbers that tell a powerful story about British prize-money - and they might come as a surprise
- The Grand National has changed for the better - and how anyone can moan about Saturday’s race is beyond me
- Racing has been bold, brave and confident - the big worry for the sport is the rest is politics
more inLee Mottershead
- Racing leaders face huge decisions - but could any amount of money justify relinquishing control of the crown jewels?
- The Jockey Club knows how it is perceived and wants to change - but that change must happen faster
- The numbers that tell a powerful story about British prize-money - and they might come as a surprise
- The Grand National has changed for the better - and how anyone can moan about Saturday’s race is beyond me
- Racing has been bold, brave and confident - the big worry for the sport is the rest is politics