Gambling affordability checks will fuel illegal betting, it is feared
GAMBLING affordability checks will fuel illegal betting, it is feared.
More than half of people in a survey say plans to restrict problem gambling could have the opposite effect.
Government proposals include monitoring how much punters are losing — including as little as £125 in a month.
Annual spot checks on bank accounts would apply to anyone who lost £500 in a year.
Any punter that lost £1,000 in a day would be signed up to the checks every six months.
A survey by YouGov for the Gamblers Consumer Forum found 53 per cent “believe there is a risk affordability checks will see an increase in black market activity”.
Just over two thirds say technology can be used to “guide those struggling with gambling harm towards clinical treatment” instead.
Abbie MacGregor of the GCF said: “The government simply cannot ignore this polling.
“This is a clear confirmation that an overwhelming majority of the public in the UK support our alternative proposal to affordability checks.”