For what seems an eternity of campaigning by charities and organisations in attempts to enforce a ban on credit cards being used with gambling, the Gambling Commission has finally announced that credit cards will no longer be an authorised deposit method for gambling purposes. The ban on credit cards being used with gambling services will come into effect on April 14th. UK residents will no longer be able to use credit cards to gamble with after this date.
The Safer Online Gambling Group welcomes the ban but has warned the move is not a ‘silver bullet.’ Adam Bradford, co-founder of the group said: “It has been a long time in coming and we are glad the commission have acted decisively on this matter. The additional requirement for all online gambling websites to ensure they are signed up to blocking software GamStop is also a further good move to ensure that those with a gambling problem can get help and support in a consistent way throughout the industry.”
“This, however, is not a silver bullet to solve the problem as the gambling industry still needs to improve in many areas – for instance, performing better affordability checks on players and being more careful with its advertising. I hope the industry will react positively to today’s news and continue to strive to be more responsible.”
After a public consultation last year, statistics showed that an estimated 24 million adults gamble in the UK. 10.5 million of those gambled online and 800,000 used credit cards to fund this. Extensive research carried out by the Gambling Commission showed that of those 800,000 gamblers, 22% were deemed problem gamblers and an even higher percentage were in the ‘at risk’ bracket.
The Bishop Approves:
Dr Alan Smith, the Bishop of St Albans, welcomes the credit-card gambling ban but said there need to be “fundamental reform” of gambling laws and regulations. Describing the announcement as “a significant step in progressive policy-making,” Dr Smith warned that present legislation was not working, what with children and teenagers still susceptible to gambling harm via a large number of gambling adverts on screens – even after a ban was imposed on them.
“This is no more than a tweak to gambling legislation and regulation. Fundamental reform is needed if we are to ever make significant progress for the hundreds of thousands affected by gambling-related harm.”
Stop Financial Harm:
Neil McArthur, Gambling Commission chief executive, said:
“Credit card gambling can lead to significant financial harm. The ban that we have announced today should minimise the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have. Research shows that 22% of online gamblers using credit cards are problem gamblers, with even more suffering some form of gambling harm.”
“We also know that there are examples of consumers who have accumulated tens of thousands of pounds of debt through gambling because of credit card availability. There is also evidence that the fees charged by credit cards can exacerbate the situation because the consumer can try to chase losses to a greater extent.”
Tech Note!
Helen Whately, Culture Minister said:
“Whilst millions gamble responsibly, I have also met people whose lives have been turned upside down by gambling addiction. There is clear evidence of harm from consumers betting with money they do not have, so it is absolutely right that we act decisively to protect them.”
“In the past year we have introduced a wave of tougher measures, including cutting the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals, bringing in tighter age and identity checks for online gambling and expanding national specialist support through the NHS Long Term Plan. We have also secured a series of commitments from five leading gambling operators that will include £100 million funding towards treatment for problem gamblers.”
Whatley concluded with: “But there is more to do. We will be carrying out a review of the Gambling Act to ensure it is fit for the digital age and we will be launching a new nationwide addiction strategy in 2020. We will not hesitate to take any further action necessary to protect people from gambling harm.”
Just to recap, playing bingo, making sports bets or playing at online casinos (and other gambling related activity) via the use of credit cards, will no longer be possible from 14th April this year.
Source: “Gambling on credit cards to be banned from April 2020”. Gambling Commission. January 14, 2020.
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