Labour to Propose Ban on Credit Card Gambling

It has been revealed that Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson, will be releasing the findings of a year-long review of gambling in the UK, along with a number of proposals to improve the industry and ensure the protection of vulnerable gamblers.

With the full list of proposals due for release any time, we have already been given a preview of what to expect, with Watson stating that the Labour Government, if elected, would seek to ban the use of credit cards for gambling transactions.

Hidden epidemic

Watson has long been a critic of the gambling industry, which saw the laws around it liberalised in 2007 under Tony Blair’s Government.

Speaking of the issues with credit card gambling, Watson said:

“Gambling addiction is this country’s hidden epidemic, but there are too few protections to help people who are suffering or at risk.

“Debt-financed betting on credit cards is wrong. It allows people to bet more than they can afford and particularly affects gambling addicts. Labour will ban it.”

The review

Carried out in part by Watson itself, the investigation, which has been running since last year, seeks to find ways to lessen the risk on gamblers.

Credit card transactions make up for a decent percentage of overall transactions, an estimated 10% – 20%, so this ruling is likely to receive some criticism, as sides on both sides of the debate have proven to be more than willing to voice their opinions on this sensitive matter.

Anything that is seen to affect gambling addicts specifically, as Watson claims credit card transactions do, is likely to come under fire in the proposals which are due for release at any moment.

It’s fair to say that this debate will continue for some time.