Peers for Gambling Reform demands “urgent clarification” on affordability checks
Lord Foster of Bath incensed by report that DCMS will ease off on the introduction of stringent checks for UK consumers
The chair of cross-party group Peers for Gambling Reform has called on the UK government to provide “urgent” confirmation over its plans for affordability checks on UK consumers.
Writing to The Telegraph’s letters page, Lord Foster of Bath questioned a report in the same newspaper alleging that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) would no longer seek to enforce these checks as part of the Gambling Act 2005 review.
“Urgent action is needed, and measuring affordability is key,” wrote Lord Bath. “Currently, however, only some companies check that customers aren’t gambling beyond their means.
“The Gambling Commission has consulted on compulsory affordability checks for all operators. However, the government now intends to strip the watchdog of its power to impose such checks.
“This is a statutory power which cannot be removed without legislation.
“We hope the Gambling Commission will persist with its plans, so that vulnerable gamblers do not have to wait many more years for the government to make good on its election promise to tackle gambling addiction,” the peer added.
Earlier this month, Westminster insiders told The Telegraph that DCMS would look to increase its own regulatory powers at the expense of the Gambling Commission (UKGC).
The broadsheet suggested DCMS taking control of these checks would lead to a “watering down” of future restrictions, or potentially their removal from future UK gambling regulation, which has led to criticism from anti-gambling groups.
Indeed, the tide has been turning for the industry ever since John Whittingdale, who previously argued in favour of the industry during the FOBT debate, was appointed to oversee the Gambling Act 2005 review, replacing Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston.
EGR also understands that former UKGC CEO Neil McArthur was a supporter of industry-wide affordability checks. He resigned in March however.
The issue of affordability checks remains a contentious one for the industry, with many highlighting the potential damage to the UK’s licensed gambling market as others point out the implications for at-risk gamblers.
In March, data from a YouGov survey commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) suggested that more than half of UK bettors (59%) would look to move to black-market operators if stringent affordability checks were introduced.
Former Entain CEO Kenny Alexander previously suggested affordability limits would be more damaging to the UK horseracing industry than the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alexander’s former employers recently introduced an affordability checking model across its 14 UK brands in preparation for future legislation in this area. Flutter Entertainment is also introducing its own triple-step method to assess affordability.
The UKGC is currently reviewing 13,000 responses to its own consultation on affordability checks, which closed in February.