Majority Believe Restrictions Could Backfire
More than half of respondents in a recent survey expressed concern that proposed measures to restrict problem gambling could have the opposite effect, fueling illegal betting activities. The UK government's plans include monitoring the amount of money gamblers are losing, with a potential "red line" of £125 per month. Additionally, annual spot checks on bank accounts would be conducted for individuals who have lost £500 in a year, while those who have lost £1,000 in a single day would be subjected to checks every six months.
Risk of Black Market Activity
According to a survey conducted by YouGov for the Gamblers Consumer Forum, 53% of respondents believe that these affordability checks pose a risk of increasing black market gambling. They fear that punters who are unable to meet the affordability criteria would turn to illegal betting options.
Technology as a Solution
Just over two-thirds of survey participants believe that technology can play a role in helping individuals struggling with gambling harm by directing them towards clinical treatment options. This suggests that technology-based interventions could be more effective in addressing problem gambling than strict affordability checks.
Public Support for Alternative Proposal
Abbie MacGregor, spokesperson for the Gamblers Consumer Forum, emphasized the importance of the survey results, stating, "The Government simply cannot ignore this polling." MacGregor highlighted that the findings clearly demonstrate that a majority of the UK public supports an alternative proposal to affordability checks.
