Government Have ‘No Plans’ to Create Gambling Database
Published on by Becky M.
For some time, the UK Gambling Commission have been keen for loss limits to be introduced in order to protect players from amassing large losses, getting into debt or suffering from gambling related harm. With current gambling laws being reviewed, the UKGC would like loss limits to form part of any new legislation. While on the surface many agree this would be a sensible move, how it would be applied causes more concern. For example, if a £100 loss limit was introduced, this would mean that in order for a player to be able to deposit and play any further, they would need to prove they can afford any further losses. Meaning they would need to hand over payslips or bank statements, and some kind of central database would need to be kept in order to track when a player has reached their loss limit.
Invasion of Privacy
The gambling industry as a whole has been impacted greatly over recent years both with increasing taxes and the Covid pandemic resulting in huge losses. The racing industry has expressed its concern over such loss limits, saying it would be a huge blow for the industry which has already lost tens of millions over the last 18 months. 
Other critics have vehemently opposed the notion of loss limits, particularly in regard to having a database to track spending. One angry critic said “Only nonces should end up on registers, not poker players. This will be a database of gamblers. Anyone who spends anything will get logged and ends up on a register. If you lost more than £100 you’d have to share bank statements so they can decide if you can afford to do it. What next? A register of alcohol spent to stop people binge drinking? A shopping register to stop people overspending and getting into debt?”
No Plans For A Database
Luckily for those opposing the plans, ministers have confirmed they don’t plan to create any register or database to track spending. With the 2005 Gambling Act under review, any further protections for players would be introduced in harmony with new legislation. Not only would a database be a logistical nightmare to create, it would also breach data protection laws. The Minister for Gaming John Whittingdale, said “We are working closely with the Gambling Commission on its parallel work to improve how operators interact with customers and we will ensure that any new checks that they introduce to increase protections for those who are financially vulnerable, binge gabling or losing significant amounts over time, harmonise with the aims of our own review.”