British Members of Parliament group demanding radical limits for online casino wagers

[The Buzz]

The Gambling Related Harm All-Party Parliamentary Group announced via a press release on Monday that it is calling for stake and deposits limits to be introduced on online gambling products.

The group, made up of British Members of Parliament, launched an inquiry "following growing disquiet among parliamentarians, charities, academics, families and individuals, at the high levels of harm caused by online gambling, in some cases tragically leading to suicide."

In a wide-ranging report, members of the cross-party group made a number of recommendations, including:

• A £2 stake limit on online slot machines.
• An end to betting by credit card.
• Restrictions on “VIP” accounts.
• An investigation into non-disclosure agreements.

The report also echoed Labour’s call for the Gambling Act 2005 to be replaced, dismissing the existing law as “analogue legislation in a digital age”, ill suited to regulating an online sector that pulls in £5.6bn a year.

Here is a link to the report: http://www.grh-appg.com/wp-content/u...er-final-1.pdf

More coverage from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/society/...aching-inquiry

[Mattbar]

I think most people would agree on the credit card ban and better monitoring of VIP accounts but the stake limit is dangerous.

What no one seems to be talking about here is the risk that a move like this, combined with higher POC tax, etc., could lead to a massive black market again. One of the reasons betting shops were first allowed in the 1960's and why the Gambling Act was brought in in 2005 was to curb illegal activities.

The FOBT limit works because it is real world, you can't just go and find an illegal physical machine with a higher limit, but online that is easy. Problem gamblers could end up going to the black market to play higher stakes where the damage to them could be many many times worse.

[allfreechips]

Credit cards are terrible for gaming period, but a sick gambler will find a way to gamble no matter what laws are made

[newcustomeroffer]

Credit cards are terrible for gaming period, but a sick gambler will find a way to gamble no matter what laws are made

Yep, would need a lot of thought and co-operation to make it watertight - for instance it's possible to fund e-wallets using a credit card.

[Former Member 14]

I too agree with the Credit Card ban. It's just too easy for a problem gambler to go-nuts one day, and literally max-out a handful of CC's.

Agree, a "sick gambler" will find a way to feed their habit. And, I suppose if someone is that desperate, then nothing stops them using said CC's at ATM's. Though, having to jump X number of hoops, to finally get that money deposited into a online casino, could prove to be a sobering thought.

The £2 stake limit on online slot machines, while it may look good on paper, it wont have the desired impact in the wild. A slot machine on fast-spin-mode can rip through a single spin in what? 5 seconds. Give or take, that's 720 spins per hour @ £2 stake limit.

All the stake limit will do is prolong the time it takes a problem gambler to lose all their cash.

The problem with these type of outcries is the people. They're not problem-gamblers. Hence, they look at the issue(s) with a level-head.

Something a problem-gambler certainly doesn't possess, when, they're in the grips of their addiction. All common sense flies out the window.



Edit:
Those who strongly appose online-gambling my say: Ban the lot of it!

That stance may have been somewhat successful in the industry's infancy, but that was 20+ years ago. Frankly, there's no hope in hobbling it now. Australia tried that with their amended 2017 IGA (Interactive Gambling Act), and all its managed to achieve, is force legit off shore gambling entities to leave its shores en masse. However, the void was filled very quickly with Grey markets, and more, so dodgy rogue casinos etc.

Before with legit casinos you'd be paid if you won. Now, the gamble isn't if you'll win BUT whether you'll be paid said winnings. As far as adding a casino owner's name to the AU Border Control Registry... That may have some impact in EU/UK/USA but Australia???!!!

Reiterating, the people making these laws, are essentially clueless to the BIG picture. They generally obtain consultancy from University Boffins. Who, like the politicians, have no real world, hands on, experience or knowledge.

Side step for a moment:
Watched a documentary a few weeks back on drug addiction (heroin). Trials conducted in (think it was) Sweden, demonstrated that once the criminal aspect of heroin is removed, and replaced with controlled legalisation, not only is there drop in crime, but also a decline in users.

Prohibition does not work. It has never succeeded. Yet, the powers that be, seem to want to keep banging that broken-nail in. Reminds me of the Simpson's episode, where, Homer puts his hand on the stove and gets burnt, but continues to do so. EG - learns nothing

[FictionNet]

I bet the likes of Superior and other reputable UK accepting (but not UK licensed) programs are licking their lips at the prospect of a stake limit for licensed casinos. Guess where the high rollers will head. Another classic move.

[MMM]

What no one seems to be talking about here is the risk that a move like this, combined with higher POC tax, etc., could lead to a massive black market again. One of the reasons betting shops were first allowed in the 1960's and why the Gambling Act was brought in in 2005 was to curb illegal activities.

The FOBT limit works because it is real world, you can't just go and find an illegal physical machine with a higher limit, but online that is easy. Problem gamblers could end up going to the black market to play higher stakes where the damage to them could be many many times worse.

Exactly. https://yesnocasino.com/gambling-ind...w-regulations/ (bottom part).

It's not just about problem gamblers. I think UKGC went to far due to some type of power rush and it's going to end bad. Hard to see many companies survive the combination of all recent events. Mergers, more mergers and more tax and then the space will open up for all the rest.

There is a difference between protecting to complete intrusion into our private life. And when regulation goes too far - black market starts.

Do you see someone who used to bet $100 per spin now betting $2? Either yes or he will find some unregulated casino that let's him. Not to mention that they can offer much more with no taxes and such. Going to end bad.

[Pokerface]

Totally agree with ban on using credit cards. Credit cards are the evil devil when it comes to gambling.

[The Buzz]

Gambling Commission rejects MPs' unfit accusations:

https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news...it-accusations

[FictionNet]

Prohibition does not work. It has never succeeded. Yet, the powers that be, seem to want to keep banging that broken-nail in. Reminds me of the Simpson's episode, where, Homer puts his hand on the stove and gets burnt, but continues to do so. EG - learns nothing

You know that. I know that. Everyone knows that.

Except politicians and stupid people.

[drifter8]

If you want to bet, nothing can stop you. There is always a way. Look what happened to places where drugs and gambling are prohibitted?

For example - gambling it Turkey is banned and .. ?? People go to land-based casinos in Bulgaria and Greek part of Cyprus and play literally 48 hours on one chair - spinning the slots and going to roulette and other table games.

[Nenad]

I totally agree on credit card ban. Credit cards make people spend money they don't have in many ways of life, shopping, gambling, purchasing unnecessary thing...
But regarding the £2 limits? I think that making bet limits will hurt the industry and it also seems to be really targeting those with less money. At £2 bet limit on slots you can still burn through a lot of money and aren't the poor the most vulnerable demographic for gambling?
Just my two cents.

[Sherlock]

Credit card ban solves nothing about problematic gambling. People who need credit are dead in the water anyways.

Well, nobody will agree with the above but I guess it is not a rocket science to top up a prepaid card by credit card (maybe it is I never had a credit card if I recall). So the effective ban will be much more complex thing. Probably doable after some time. Still people can take cash from credit cards (with hefty fees) right?

But UK market is dead. It is the worst affiliate market on planet for new acquisitions. It can not get worse. So if there will be some stupid restrictions and if the black market flourishes, it would be great.

I still have doubts. Australia is not great market either now. The developed countries have much more effective censorship than developing countries. Developing countries use some hard bans which can be avoided. The developed countries use hard bans still less, but they effectively combine them with soft measures, which in the first place are voluntary steps by gambling operators and then the regulations of the economy as a whole (like bank restrictions, which is effective in countries without alternative payment systems like hawala).

What really scares me is that nobody thinks about implications what can happen if employees of gambling companies have to check whether someone can afford to gamble. It is obvious those data will be de facto public.