Opposition to UK Government’s Affordability Checks Grows
A petition against the UK government’s plans to implement affordability checks for gambling activities has gained significant support, with over 86,000 signatures at the time of writing. The petition, spearheaded by Nevin Truesdale, urges the government to rethink its approach to these checks, arguing that they are “inappropriate and discriminatory.”
The petition raises concerns that the proposed affordability checks could have a detrimental impact on the enjoyment of gambling activities and may even drive people towards the black market. Furthermore, opponents of the checks warn that the British horse racing sector could suffer as a result of these measures.
Despite the growing opposition, the government remains steadfast in its commitment to implementing what it describes as “frictionless” checks. In response to the petition, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports reiterated the government’s determination to proceed with the measures, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to ensuring customer safety while also supporting the health of the gambling industry.
To address concerns about the potential negative impact of the checks, the government has pledged to ensure that the measures will be as unobtrusive as possible and will only target those in the highest 3% of gambling losses. The government also highlighted the extensive public engagement process that took place, with over 2,400 responses received during the Gambling Commission’s consultation period.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports emphasized the importance of considering all viewpoints in the decision-making process, indicating that both the UK Gambling Commission and the government are working together to address the concerns raised by the public and industry stakeholders.
In related news, the UK Gambling Commission has expressed its desire to maintain a positive and constructive relationship with gambling operators. As the debate around affordability checks continues, it remains to be seen whether the government will reconsider its position in light of the growing opposition to these measures.