UK affordability checks to be debated in February

[The Buzz]

Following the attainment of the mandatory 100,000 signatures on a petition calling for a review of the proposed affordability checks, the British government's Petitions Committee has scheduled a debate on the matter for February 26. The petition was initiated by Nevin Truesdale, the chief executive of the Jockey Club.

A statement from Julie Harrington, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing authority, read:

“We are pleased that the important issue of affordability checks will now be subjected to proper levels of parliamentary scrutiny.

“The fact that our survey reached the required 100,000 signatures threshold in just 27 days is powerful testament to the strength of feeling shared by bettors over the proposed checks. This has today been recognised by the Petitions Committee.

“No other form of leisure activity is subjected to the kinds of restrictions being proposed by the Government and so it is right that MPs have the chance to forensically debate this issue.

“The BHA and other racing stakeholders will work with MPs on both sides of the House to ensure that the views of British racing and those who bet on the sport are properly represented within the debate.

“While we support the need to protect individuals from the risk of gambling-related harm it remains the case that millions of people enjoy betting on horseracing without suffering any ill effects.

“The BHA will therefore continue to push for changes to the Gambling Commission’s proposals on affordability checks to protect the sport’s financial future and limit the impact on racing bettors.”

Read more from Thoroughbred Daily News: https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.co...late-february/

[AVC-Invest]

Yes, I believe it is in inevitable that rules will become stricter.

[ocreditor]

That is a shame...

[Pokerface]

I thought this was already done and dusted. Now it will be debated ... "thanks for the feedback and debate, we are still doing what we want"

[newcustomeroffer]

The debate is scheduled for 4.30pm GMT Monday: https://whatson.parliament.uk/commons/2024-02-26/

[tufty]

Punters are betting with black market bookmakers because the UK regulated bookmakers 1) limit bettors to nothing (less than £1 in many instances) or 2) close player accounts and 3) use the affordability checks as a reason to delay or stop payouts.

Any punter with a brain will avoid UK-licensed bookies, who only want tiny-staking, persistent losers on their books. In fact, any punter who strings a few lucky winners together has found they are effectively blocked from betting altogether. So they have no choice but to be forced offshore and to 'unregulated' outfits.

Arguably the UK bookies are effectively 'unregulated' by UKGC. These firms should be forced to lay the betting odds they offer to a certain amount (say £5k) or lose their betting licence. The UK bookies don't deserve their licenses because they won't lay a bet. Turnover on UK horse racing is massively down, but the racing media (shout out to the despicable Racing Post) will not talk about anything other than affordability checks. That's because they are bought and paid for by the UK bookmakers. The whole horse racing media in the UK is taking the bookies' backhanders ("William Hill Ambassador" - WTF?!, paid for personal articles, freebies left, right and centre - they are easily bought). As for the BHA, they are clueless as to whole picture and the bookies, as they have since the 1960s, are taking everyone in the UK for a ride.

[newcustomeroffer]

Replay of the debate from yesterday, you'll need to forward to 9.14 for it to actually start.