Thousands Sign Petition Against Financial Checks on Gamblers
A controversial gambling crackdown has ignited a huge backlash, with nearly 25,000 people signing a petition in just one day. The UK government will now be compelled to respond to the anger generated by proposed affordability checks on bettors.
Government to Conduct Affordability Assessments
The government's plan is to conduct affordability assessments on individuals who lose £125 in a one-month period or £500 in a year. The significant number of critics speaking out against this measure means that the government must issue a formal response. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it will trigger a debate in Parliament.
Concerns Over Impact on Racing's Finances
Yesterday, we reported on the outrage over the proposals, particularly in poorer areas. Julie Harrington, the chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, expressed grave concerns about the financial impact of the affordability checks on the racing industry. She also criticized the Gambling Commission's plans to assess eligibility based on job title or postcode as discriminatory.
Government's Response and Reforms
A spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) defended the government's actions, stating that the reforms are aimed at protecting individuals from life-changing losses. They emphasized that the proposed checks will be light-touch and frictionless. The intention is to streamline the process for the majority of accounts and apply the checks only to the highest spenders. The spokesperson also clarified that there will be no new requirements for betting at the track or local high street betting shops, and that postcode data will not be used to determine when checks are carried out.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/politics/matt-hancock-wanted-to-choose-who-should-live-or-die-during-covid-claims-nhs-chief-at-inquiry/
