Gambling Commission chief Andrew Rhodes claims risk of gambling black market is overstated
Gambling Commission chief executive Andrew Rhodes has claimed the threat from the gambling black market has been overstated but acknowledged the importance of getting the balance of regulation right to prevent customers being driven to illegal operators.
The regulator has been warned that measures such as intrusive affordability checks could force punters to use the black market to place their bets.
This year the Racing Post's 'Big Punting Survey' found that 3.6 per cent of respondents had used a black market operator in the last 12 months, while a further 11 per cent knew someone who had.
A third of respondents said they would either consider going to the black market or definitely do so if they were unable to bet what they wanted with regulated bookmakers.
However, Rhodes told the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on Tuesday: "Talking to a lot of people around the industry and in the GB market actually the size of the black market is very small, but estimates do vary."
Rhodes claimed the regulator had been proactive in tackling the black market, including geoblocking four of the ten largest illegal domains.
He added: "Every time I’ve heard someone say to me, 'Based on what’s happening here, people are going to the black market', I have asked them the same question, 'Tell me where'.
"And I have not once had an answer. I have not once been given the name of an operator or a person or a location or anything I can act upon and I have consistently asked that question every time.
"There's undoubtedly a risk that if people cannot gamble in the legitimate industry for a number of reasons they may go somewhere else so we have to get the balance right which I think is what the white paper is trying to do."
A PwC report commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council claimed the proportion of UK online gamblers using unlicensed operators in 2020 had increased to 4.5 per cent – or around 460,000 people - from 2.2 per cent over the previous one to two years. The amount staked had doubled to £2.8 billion.
To complete the Gambling Commission's consultation on affordability checks, visit racingpost.com/consultation and follow the instructions.
The Racing Post also wants to hear from you: What has been your experience of affordability checks since the white paper was published at the end of April, and what do you think of the government's proposals? Have affordability checks affected your betting behaviour?
It's a chance for your voice to be heard. Email the Racing Post at editor@racingpost.com with the subject 'Affordability checks' to share your experiences, your thoughts about the government's proposals, and your contact details.
Read more . . .
You have told them to 'butt out' - now the government and Gambling Commission must respond
The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Members' Club Ultimate subscriber? Click here to join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content
Published on 5 September 2023inGambling review
Last updated 20:13, 5 September 2023
- Data suggests more punters could be impacted by enhanced financial checks than originally claimed
- 'The whole thing hasn't gone away' - wary response to Gambling Commission's six-month pilot for affordability checks
- Gambling Commission chief Andrew Rhodes: I can understand privacy concerns but difficult choices have to be made over checks
- Gambling Commission consultation: an affordability checks roadmap
- Strength of your views on affordability is hidden away under Gambling Commission's diplomatic verbiage
- Data suggests more punters could be impacted by enhanced financial checks than originally claimed
- 'The whole thing hasn't gone away' - wary response to Gambling Commission's six-month pilot for affordability checks
- Gambling Commission chief Andrew Rhodes: I can understand privacy concerns but difficult choices have to be made over checks
- Gambling Commission consultation: an affordability checks roadmap
- Strength of your views on affordability is hidden away under Gambling Commission's diplomatic verbiage