When the U.K. Gambling Commission (UKGC) releases its report on gambling, one of the recommendations is expected to be affordability checks, which the industry opposes. Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said such checks need to be proportionate.
The long-awaited white paper review is supposed to take stringent action around affordability checks, advertising and sponsorship, which may eliminate £100 million (US$131 million) a year in revenues, according to the Racing Post.
Laurence Robertson, the MP for Tewkesbury whose constituency includes Cheltenham racecourse, emphasized how important tackling problem gambling harm of tackling problem gambling but also British racing which received 45 per cent of its funding from bookmakers and that a balanced approach was needed to offset income loss.
“We are certainly aware of the close relationship between racing and betting and the main area of concern I know from the horseracing industry is the affordability checks,” Huddleston said. “As I said these are important but must also be proportionate. We are carefully considering the impact of all our proposals.”
“We are keen to explore the role of data such as that held by credit reference agencies or that which is already used by operators to facilitate frictionless checks.”
Calls for a ban on gambling advertising have also concerned racing’s leadership given its importance to mainstream broadcasting of the sport on ITV.
Huddleston said he recognized gambling advertising’s role in providing financial support for broadcasters and sport but added: “Operators must advertise responsibly and we are committed to tackling aggressive practices.”
Racing’s position on gambling advertising was also acknowledged by Labour MP Carolyn Harris, one of the most prominent campaigners for gambling reform believed non-gambling sponsors will fill the gap. “We can ensure protection on all sides.”
Harris called the review a “once in a generation chance to update our laws”, adding, “All we want and all we are asking for is effective protections to be put in place for customers and for an industry that is all too often shamelessly exploitative to be reined in and regulated effectively.”
