In a special episode of The BHA Podcast, host Nick Lightfoot is joined by the BHA's Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Greg Swift, to reflect on the Gambling Commission's announcement that it will implement financial risk assessments on punters.
It features contributions by Dan Carden MP, Sally Jameson MP, Charlotte Cane MP, Louie French MP, Esther McVey MP and Helen Maguire MP, all speaking at yesterday's future of horseracing debate at Westminster Hall (on Tuesday 7 July).
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BHA statement regarding Gambling Commission announcement on financial risk assessments
Speaking in regards to the Gambling Commission’s announcement that it intends to implement affordability checks on bettors in the United Kingdom, Brant Dunshea, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), issued the following statement (Tuesday 7 July):
“We are hugely disappointed that the Gambling Commission will implement affordability checks which will have severe financial implications for British racing and the UK economy and subject racing bettors to unwarranted levels of intrusion.
Over a number of years, and through several consultations, British racing has engaged in a spirit of huge goodwill to honestly advise the Government about the potential impact this policy would have on our sport and its fanbase.
These concerns were shared by the betting industry, politicians, campaigners and policy makers, who warned of devastating unintended consequences on two major industries that are worth billions of pounds to the UK economy and employ more than 200,000 people across Britain.
We understand these checks have been proven by the Gambling Commission’s own pilot to not be ‘fully frictionless’ as originally promised by successive Government ministers.
Rather than protecting consumers, these checks will have the opposite effect: driving more customers to the illegal market – which puts them at much greater risk of gambling-related harm – and starving the Treasury of much needed tax revenue.
Objective evidence from across the globe makes clear that this decision is one of self-harm on an immense scale that will have damaging economic and societal implications.
For this decision to be taken unilaterally by the Gambling Commission shows a clear abdication of duty by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which has failed to grip this process or properly consider the damaging consequences of the decision.
Read the statement issued by BHA CEO Brant Dunshea here: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/bha-statement-regarding-gambling-commission-annoucement-on-financial-risk-assessments
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