As the UK general election approaches, the Liberal Democrats have committed to a ban on credit cards to place bets, an effort designed to crack down on problem gambling.
The proposal, reported originally on i News, seeks to prevent credit card use in retail betting shops as well as online gambling sites, with further plans to make it illegal for operators to accept cards as payments for individual bets or accounts.
“Problem gambling often has a pernicious and incredibly sad impact on the lives of thousands of people up and down our country,” said party spokesperson, Layla Moran. “It is heart-breaking to see many vulnerable people fall further into debt as gambling becomes ever-more consuming.”
Moran accused the Conservatives of neglecting the issue. “But, as ever with this mean-spirited Government, the Conservatives have neglected the problem.”
The party, which has clarified that debit cards could still be used to place bets, emphasized that the use of credit cards allows bettors to gamble with money that they do not have.
In addition, the Liberal Democrats have suggested a compulsory levy on gambling firms which would go towards the treatment of problem gambling, as well as new gambling advertising restrictions and the creation of an independent ombudsman to resolve disputes within the industry.
