Ridiculous bet restrictions and pathetic account closures need to be addressed

It is probably not unfair to claim that, on occasions, what politicians say is not automatically mirrored by what politicians then do. Yet even those of us imbued with an excess of scepticism must have been cheered by some powerful words spoken in the House of Commons on Thursday.

When gambling minister Chris Philp was asked by fellow Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen if the government's new legislative proposals for the gambling industry – due to be announced in a white paper over the coming months – would be presented in tandem with an impact assessment on the horseracing industry, the answer given could hardly have been more encouraging.

As has been asserted repeatedly and for good reason, the government's review of the Gambling Act 2005 would inflict colossal damage on British racing if it culminates in punters being subjected to extreme affordability checks or a bookmaker advertising ban.