Opposite Effect

More than half of the respondents in a recent survey expressed concern that plans to restrict problem gambling in the UK could actually lead to an increase in illegal betting activity. The government's proposals, which include monitoring the amount of money people are losing while gambling, have raised fears that such measures could inadvertently fuel the black market.

Tightening Restrictions

The government's plans involve implementing stricter affordability checks on gamblers. Under the proposed regulations, individuals who lose as little as £125 in a month would be subject to scrutiny. Additionally, annual spot checks would be conducted on bank accounts of anyone who loses £500 in a year, while those who lose £1,000 in a single day would be subjected to checks every six months.

Survey Findings

A survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Gamblers Consumer Forum revealed that 53% of respondents believed that the affordability checks could lead to an increase in illegal gambling activities on the black market. On the other hand, just over two-thirds of the participants expressed their belief that technology could be harnessed to guide individuals struggling with gambling addiction towards clinical treatment.

Public Support

Abbie MacGregor, spokesperson for the Gamblers Consumer Forum, emphasized the significance of the survey results, stating that the government cannot ignore the overwhelming majority of public support for their alternative proposal to affordability checks.

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