Bet restrictions on the agenda as bettors forum launches charter

A charter covering betting behaviour that it is hoped will be adopted by both bookmakers and their customers is set to be published by the Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) before the end of the year.

HBF chair Simon Rowlands said the charter would detail guidelines covering areas including minimum-bet guarantees, problem gambling and terms and conditions.

The news came in the HBF's second annual statement since it was formed in 2015 to deliver proposals and recommendations to the BHA from the perspective of the betting public.

In his statement, Rowlands said restrictions and closures of accounts had been the subject on which they had received most contact and that the HBF's position was that betting on racing was a test of skill that needed to "remain aspirational".

"To that end, and others," he added, "HBF has drawn up a betting charter which includes guidelines on minimum-bet guarantees, along with others on protection of funds, problem gambling, terms and conditions, the requirement for bettors to abide by fair and transparent rules in return, and others.

"This charter, which is intended to be for the benefit of all parties, was developed with the assistance of a small number of co-operative bookmakers, and with input from the BHA and the Gambling Commission."

Rowlands said the BHA had indicated its support for the charter and the HBF had also brought it to the attention of the Association of British Bookmakers and the Remote Gambling Association.

He added: "Achieving wider acceptance of the betting charter will be a particular focus for HBF in the year ahead."

Rowlands also revealed the HBF had been contacted by the All Party Parliamentary Betting And Gaming Group about contributing to a discussion in parliament about bookmaker restrictions on winning betting accounts.