Intrusive affordability checks are 'top of the list' says punters' body chairman

Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) chairman Sean Trivass said the issue of affordability checks was at the top of the body's agenda and that he feared punters could be driven to use the black market.

In recent months, punters have contacted the Racing Post in their droves to complain about bookmaker affordability and source-of- funds checks, and shared their anger at being subject to such intrusion in order to place a bet.

Operators have put such measures in place under increasing pressure from the Gambling Commission as the industry waits for the government's long-delayed gambling review white paper, which is expected to include affordability proposals when it is finally published.

The issue was one of the points of discussion at the HBF's meeting this week, the first Trivass has chaired. He said: "It's something that is top of our list.

"We know bookmakers are unhappy with it and they are allegedly being threatened with fines if they don't do these checks, even though there is actually nothing in writing just yet that I know of that says they have to.

"They are toeing the line and don't want to get into trouble and get huge fines now and also I think pre-empting it. Their costs at the end of the day get passed on to the punter really. No-one else is going to pay it."

Punters who have contacted the Racing Post have complained they have been asked for personal financial information such as bank statements and P60s in order to continue being able to bet, and in some cases had their accounts frozen for weeks.

Horseracing Bettors Forum chairman Sean TrivassCredit: Horseracing Bettors Forum

Trivass also said there was a danger that larger-staking customers were being forced to bet with unregulated operators as a result of the checks.

"We do feel – but again, how you can evidence it is another matter – that this is probably pushing the big-time punters into the black market," he said.

"Are these big gamblers suddenly just stopping? I suspect that's not the case, in which case they are going elsewhere."

Trivass said the HBF's view was that affordability checks were "not an unreasonable thing" if done better and set at a realistic level.

"We want to protect problem gamblers the same as everybody else does and we would be stupid to think otherwise," he added.

"But what level it comes in at and what level of interference there is in private lives to find that out is the question, and we are surprised they have not found an easier way, such as credit checks."

The government launched its gambling review in December 2020 but the subsequent white paper has been the subject of repeated delays. Ministers said this week it would be published "in the coming weeks".

Have you been affected by intrusive affordability checks? If so, we would like to hear from you. Email us (editor@racingpost.com) with the subject 'Affordability checks' to share your experiences and contact details

Read more . . .

Dire experiences of affordability checks show balanced solution is needed soon

'Not fit for purpose' – prominent MP slams gambling regulator over interventions

'Enough is enough' – punters detail their frustration with intrusive checks

Punters' views: 'Nobody checks my records when I buy wine or fill my car up'

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