A 2021 survey conducted in the U.K. found deep opposition to gambling “financial risk checks.” This data until now was withheld by the U.K. Gambling Commission (UKGC), which only shared it after receiving a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, Yogonet reported July 1.
The response from 12,000 respondents was discovered by the Regulus Group, which submitted the request.
The survey found that 42 percent of those polled would refuse additional information requests and 22.5 percent would stop gambling with operators who request such information. Fourteen percent said they would comply with the additional probes.
Those surveyed were also asked to indicate their level of comfort with such queries, with 18 percent saying they felt uncomfortable and 48 percent said they felt very uncomfortable.
Dan Waugh, a partner with Regulus, declared, “It raises doubts … about the extent to which the Gambling Commission is in earnest when it runs these consultations.” The news was so discouraging, he said, that it might explain why the UKGC declined to release it until forced to.
The government is on the verge of commencing a pilot program of financial risk checks beginning in August, as called for by the Gambling Act 2005 White Paper released last year.
The Racing Post last September was the first industry publication to raise a red flag about the affordability checks. Its editor, Tom Kerr said at the time: “It is vital that the voice of punters is heard in this consultation, and this survey is an important part of ensuring that happens.”
The Commission said in response to the release of the data that points of view were “carefully considered” in developing the program.
