The trade body representing the UK legal gambling sector has issued a warning against the adoption of overprotective rules from the Government and local regulators saying that it alienates customers in the regulated gambling market and forces them to seek similar services offered on black-market online gambling platforms in the UK or offshore.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has called for an evidence-based approach regarding the re-regulation of the country’s gambling industry and has been against the idea of imposing spending limits, saying that such limitations would push customers to turn to questionable practices that could lead to gambling-related harm if, for example, they choose to sign in with illegal gambling companies.
According to the results of a new YouGov survey that had been commissioned by the Betting and Gambling Council, about 67% of British gamblers believe that the implementation of mandatory spending limits could make more people turn to unregulated and unlicensed gambling websites. Furthermore, 64% of the people who took part in the survey expect to see illegal online gambling platforms contribute to an increase in the current problem gambling rates as a result of the implementation of mandatory spending limits in the country. The research also notes that 70% of people are not willing to gamble with companies that conduct compulsory affordability checks.
The recent YouGov survey comes at a time when the country’s Government and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) are still expected to publish a much-awaited White Paper that is expected to outline ways and strategies for the re-regulation of the UK gambling laws and the gambling sector as a whole.
Stricter Regulation and Mandatory ID and Affluence Checks Could Push Players to the Black Gambling Market, BGC Warns
Now, the trade body representing the legal gambling industry in the UK has warned that the risk of alienating consumers and triggering a massive outflow of gamblers to black market operators is quite real.
The BGC also noted that illegal gambling websites have hardly any actual obligations towards their customers, not to mention that they openly ignore responsible gambling rules and often welcome gambling addicts and let them play, no matter that such actions pose serious personal risks to the customers. The Betting and Gaming Council also reminded that unlicensed gambling companies do not require their customers to verify their identity and do not carry out verification checks.
Michael Dugher, the chief executive officer of the trade body, added that the BGC supports the Government’s gambling review as it was a further opportunity for the sector to raise standards and promote responsible gambling. He praised the competent authorities for wanting to make it an evidence-based process and shared that the poll findings were an important reminder of the risks associated with the introduction of arbitrary blanket ban or spending checks on local players.
According to Mr Dugher, any changes that are introduced by the Government should make sure that vulnerable gamblers are well-protected against gambling harm and do not increase gambling addiction risks.
- Author
Daniel Williams
