'The government will have to listen' - Jockey Club boss optimistic as affordability checks petition gathers pace

Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale says he is pleased with the initial response to the petition aimed at stopping the introduction of affordability checks, which has attracted more than 75,000 signatures since its launch last week.

And a host of big-names from across racing have added their support in the drive to reach 100,000 signatures, the level required for consideration to be given to a debate on the issue in the UK parliament.

Talking to TalkSport's Lee McKenzie on Friday, Truesdale said the petition was a key part of the wider lobbying effort designed to "keep up the momentum" against the introduction of affordability checks as envisaged by the Gambling Commission and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

"We are very pleased with the way that, not just the entire industry, but fans of the sport have got behind this," said Truesdale. "We didn't just wake up two weeks ago and decide to do a petition, this is part of an ongoing campaign that racing and the betting industry have been very united on, and probably more united on this issue than anything that I can remember in my ten-plus years at the Jockey Club. That’s obviously great news."

Asked whether he felt the petition would have the desired influence with key government figures such as the secretary of state for culture, media and sport Lucy Frazer, the prime minister Rishi Sunak and the gambling minister Stuart Andrew, Truesdale said he believes the united message being sent by the racing and betting industries is getting through.

Truesdale said: "We think government will take notice of this. They have to. We accept that there is a clear need to address the [problem] gambling issue, to get a white paper through. But we just want this to be heard in terms of making sure that the changes are targeted and proportionate.

"This particular change is not something that people will countenance easily, given the infringements on civil liberties and personal freedoms, and I think government will listen to that."

Truesdale added: "The feedback we've been getting privately and to some degree in public – from Stuart Andrew in particular, who is the gambling minister and who I know is very concerned about this issue – has been positive.

"But we've got to keep up the momentum and we've got to keep the pressure on in any way we can because, when racing as an industry and a sport comes together on an issue like this, as we showed during the Covid pandemic, we can be very strong, and that's what we need be here."

That unity was demonstrated by a number of trainers contacted by the Racing Post on Friday.

Gary Moore: "It's common sense, really, we must all sign it"Credit: Edward Whitaker

Gary Moore said: "It's common sense, really, we must all sign it. Racing cannot survive in its present form without the money that comes from people betting on it; we don't have a pari-mutuel here. That's the way it is. If affordability checks are brought in it's another nail in the coffin."

Nicky Henderson also underlined the threat to racing’s finances posed by the current proposals in the government's white paper reviewing the 2005 Gambling Act.

He said: "If people don't sign the petition and affordability checks are brought in then there won't be any racing in the future because there will be no money to fund it – it's that simple."

There were also stark words from several of Moore and Henderson's colleagues across the training ranks.

Chris Gordon said: "The whole thing is brain-dead. It's madness; a shambles. You've got to be brain-dead not to sign the petition."

Nick Alexander said: "It's a gross, unnecessary invasion of privacy and it won't solve the problems. Those problem gamblers will simply go to the black market. Affordability checks are very damaging for racing."

Harry Fry said: "We must do everything we can to raise awareness and show the government that what is being proposed is ridiculous."

Lucinda Russell said: "I think they are overreacting and hitting the wrong thing. I think the 'crack cocaine' is the online games, they are a big issue and I get it with them. But when you are betting on horse races and making an informed decision that is a different thing."

Nigel Twiston-Davies: has £10 in his betting account, which is frozen until he undergoes affordability checksCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gold Cup-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies revealed his own personal experience of affordability checks with a well-known firm when trying to bet very small sums.

"It is a stupid proposal," said Twiston-Davies. "I joined up with one betting company in order to get their pictures on my phone and put £10 in my account, which I'm now not allowed to use until I can prove I can afford it.

"I can watch the pictures, but I wanted to have £2 on one of mine and it was a case of no, you're not allowed to. The whole thing is so ridiculous."

The Gambling Commission's public consultation into two levels of affordability checks closed last month and drew more than 2,400 responses from individuals and groups.

Punters and the racing industry are being called on to sign a petition calling on the government to stop the implementation of affordability checks. You can sign the petition here.

Read these next:

'It could be catastrophic for the sport' - punters and racing urged to sign petition against affordability checks 

'Take a minute to sign the petition' - racing unites in opposition to affordability checks 

Five reasons you should sign the affordability checks petition 

Affordability checks: sign the petition now 

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