According to the Betting and Gaming Council, a new YouGov poll on affordability checks serves as a ‘waking up call’ for policymakers. The study, which surveyed gamblers, indicated that 16% said they would welcome affordability checks, but a considerably more significant percentage, 58%, said they would not. 

BGC outlines risk of black-market gambling

In addition, the YouGov poll found that 51% of all polled adults believed that this possible increase in black market gambling would increase problem gambling, with only 4% believing that this trend would result in a decrease in problem gambling levels.

Although the standards body supports tightening affordability checks, it believes that the measures should be aimed at the most vulnerable gamblers rather than all bettors. Meanwhile, Dugher reiterated his position that the government should “strike the right balance” between protecting weak players and ensuring that the “overwhelming majority” of non-vulnerable bettors are not pushed toward illicit operators due to extensive measures such as affordability checks.

However, 59% of bettors stated that government-mandated checks into client finances to place a wager would result in a “significant risk” of customers switching to the illicit market.

Quotes from the Press Release

“We firmly support the gaming review as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen standards and promote safer gambling,” BGC CEO Michael Dugher stated.

“Ministers have stated that the process will be evidence-based, and our findings highlight the potential hazards of imposing blanket affordability tests on anyone who enjoys a flutter.”