Punters' body sounds warning on review's proposed affordability checks

The body representing the interests of British punters has warned against a heavy-handed approach to checks on how much people can afford to bet under UK government plans to reform gambling regulation.

The Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) has called for transparency on any restrictions and stressed a distinction needs to be made between those betting on sports and casino-style gambling, based on luck.

Among the potential reforms falling under the umbrella of the gambling review are stringent new affordability checks, with the Gambling Commission carrying out a consultation which has raised the possibility that monthly online gambling losses might be capped at £100, unless a customer proves they can afford to lose more.

"The big thing we want to get across is there are millions of people who enjoy a bet on sports," said HBF chairman Colin Hord. "We appreciate there are problem gamblers but there needs to be proportionality when bringing in new regulations and legislation.

"We also want to see a clear demarcation between sports and casino-style gambling. Sports betting is skill-based, whereas casino-style games are luck-based. We want to get that distinction across.

"In terms of affordability limits, we want to make the gambling commission aware of the likelihood of losing runs and highlight exchange players. The issue still to be resolved is how to monitor people with multiple accounts. They are things being worked on."

Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, sports minister Nigel Huddleston outlined the scope of the gambling review, describing it as an "evidence-led" look at the industry and development of the 2005 Gambling Act.

Online restrictions, marketing, stake and spend limits, advertising and promotional offers and extra protections for young adults will also be examined by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Huddleston said: "The 2005 Gambling Act has been the basis for virtually all gambling regulation but a huge amount has changed since then. We can now gamble anywhere at anytime so it's time to take stock and pull our regulatory and legislative frameworks into the digital age."

The gambling review begins with a 16-week call for evidence and includes more immediate measures, including raising the minimum age to play National Lottery games from 16 to 18 by October 2021.

Sports minister Nigel Huddleston MP

The review was announced alongside the government response to the House of Lords Select Committee's report on the Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry, published in July.

Lord Grade of Yarmouth, the committee chair, was disappointed by the lack of immediate action on gambling advertising after the group had called for research to establish its link to gambling-related harm.

"I'm heartened that the government appreciates the importance of taking action to tackle gambling harm. I'm however disappointed that it does not seem to understand the urgency of the problem.

"Advertising is a particular disappointment. The minor changes made by the industry have had little effect, and the need for tighter regulation is clear. The select committee recommended several changes that could make an immediate difference.

"The minister has the power to give effect to them now. Instead, the government is including this in its review of the Gambling Act, and calling for yet more evidence.

"The government must keep tight control of the timetable of its review and not allow it to be used as a mechanism for yet again deferring any significant changes."

Spend limits considered as gambling review is launched

The chair of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) Brigid Simmonds welcomed the gambling review but warned making it too difficult for people to place a bet could force them towards illegal operators.

"This is a global industry and if we make it too difficult for people to gamble on our members' sites, which abide by this country's rules, people will be driven to illegal sites," said Simmonds on LBC radio.

"We need to make sure we have a well-regulated industry. We want to be the best in the world but we need to make sure the regulations are not so onerous that they drive people to unregulated sites."

In welcoming the review, William Hill CEO Ulrik Bengtsson said: "It is important that it is evidence-led, strikes the right balance between protecting the vulnerable and the continued enjoyment of the many tens of millions who happily place the occasional bet, as well as taking a critical look at the growing risks of the black market where there are no consumer protections."

What happens next

>> The call for evidence will run for 16 weeks and will close on March 31 2021, a longer period than usual due to the Covid-19 crisis.

>> Following the call for evidence, the government will consider the responses, with a further consultation likely later in 2021.

>> Any legislation required to change gambling regulations might not receive parliamentary scrutiny until 2022.

>> The 2005 Gambling Act stemmed from the Gambling Review report published in 2001 by a review board chaired by Sir Alan Budd. However, the 2005 act did not come into force until September 2007.

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