UK Horse Racing Oppose Affordability Checks
In a significant move by British racing stakeholders, a public petition has been initiated to halt the proposed implementation of betting affordability and financial risk checks. The campaign, spearheaded by The Jockey Club’s CEO Nevin Truesdale, has already garnered over 40,000 signatures, reflecting a solid wave of concern within the industry.
Opposition Against Affordability Checks
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), along with other stakeholders, has voiced firm opposition to the affordability checks suggested in the government’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is currently reviewing responses to its White Paper, which includes proposals for moderate ‘unintrusive checks’ on spending levels that reach £125 net loss in a month or £500 within a year. The Commission also has the authority to enforce checks at higher spending levels, precisely when losses hit £1,000 in a day or £2,000 across three months.
A further Commission proposal recommends halving the thresholds for more intensive scrutiny for individuals aged between 18 and 24. The racing industry warns that such measures could lead to a drastic £250 million decline in betting revenue over five years, which they argue would be catastrophic for a sector that contributes £4 billion annually to the UK economy and supports 85,000 jobs.
Inappropriate and Discriminatory
The petition argues against implementing affordability checks, which could include assessments based on a person’s postcode or job title, labelling them as “inappropriate and discriminatory.” It highlights the impracticality of monitoring customer spending at an average of £1.37 per day, a figure the industry deems unsustainable for its viability.
UKGC’s CEO, Andrew Rhodes, has countered the racing industry’s concerns, stating that there are misconceptions about the proposed two-tier system of affordability checks. He has clarified that only 3% of gamblers would undergo financial risk assessments through ‘light check’ credit references or Open Banking data, and a mere 0.3% of account holders would be asked to provide additional financial information.
The UKGC has invited feedback from the racing community during the consultation phase on the White Paper’s gambling reform recommendations. The petition has surpassed 10,000 signatures, so the government is obliged to respond, and if it reaches 100,000, the issue will be debated in Parliament.
This development marks a critical juncture for the UK’s gambling and racing sectors, as the outcome could significantly influence the future of betting regulations and the economic stability of horse racing in the country.
