Betting account restrictions on the rise as two in five report being limited

Account restrictions on British punters are on the increase, according to the findings of the Racing Post’s Big Punting Survey of almost 10,000 bettors.

The proportion of respondents reporting restrictions to one or more accounts in the last 12 months is 31.9 per cent, up from 25.6 per cent since our first edition of the landmark survey in 2023.

That figure rises to 43.6 per cent when adding in those who have suffered restrictions stretching back further. 

Andi Peters, formerly a partner in a major city accountancy firm, is just one example of a punter who has been hit by intrusive checks and restrictions.

He outlines his usual stake as £50 or £100 each-way or £200 win, although restrictions mean he estimates his betting today is around five per cent of the level he enjoyed ten years ago. 

“The restrictions are nonsense,” says Peters. “What I cannot understand is why a firm will offer 10-1 about Rory McIlroy to win a golf Major and then for some reason I can’t have a bet on it but my wife can or my son can. 

“They’re quite happy to offer that price to other people but not me. It’s some kind of extraordinary discrimination and I cannot understand the business model.”

Tom Lane: "Bookies seem to have the prerogative to close down any account for any reason."

Racing Post reader Tom Lane, who was featured in a story last December over his fight against an affordability check, describes himself as a "small-stakes punter" and has never faced restrictions from a bookmaker, although he is clear in his sympathy for those who have.

"Bookies seem to have the prerogative to close down any account for any reason, including successful punters," says Lane. 

"Given the huge profits that these companies make, that strikes me as something that should be outlawed. The government should step in and say you'll get a betting licence as long as you're fair to your customers. If you ban successful punters we'll take your licence away."

The Big Punting Survey...

Racing's crisis: 1 in 3 high-rollers turn to black market amid rising frustration for punters unable to bet with legal bookies  

We asked 10,000 punters about affordability checks and the black market. What you told us is alarming  

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