Stuart Anderson MP has raised serious concerns about the unintended consequences of the roll-out of ‘affordability checks’ for bets placed on horse-racing in Great Britain.
- Stuart is concerned about unintended consequences of the roll-out of ‘affordability checks’ for bets on horse-racing.
- He has said that intrusive checks could damage to the sector that contributes over £4 billion to the UK economy.
- Estimates suggest that £250 million could be lost in the first five years alone of the roll-out of the checks.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"Ludlow Racecourse is integral to the rural economy in South Shropshire, supporting 100 local jobs. Many residents in South Shropshire enjoy an occasional flutter on their favourite horse, while doing so responsibly. I am greatly concerned about the unintended consequences of the roll-out of ‘affordability checks’ for bets placed on horse-racing in the UK. Intrusive checks could damage to the sector that contributes over £4 billion to the UK economy. Estimates suggest that £250 million could be lost in the first five years alone of the roll-out of the checks. This risks pushing punters away from the regulated sector, undermining the sport while failing to address problem gambling effectively. I do not believe that there has been sufficient Parliamentary scrutiny nor enough transparency about the results of the pilot. That is why I have urged Ministers to urgently reconsider this policy. We need a full and transparent assessment of the economic and social impact, and proper Parliamentary scrutiny before any further steps are taken."
Stuart Anderson MP has written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to raise serious concerns about the rollout of ‘affordability checks’ for bets on horseracing, warning of lasting damage to rural jobs and the wider racing sector. In a letter to Lisa Nandy, Stuart highlights that horseracing contributes over £4 billion to the UK economy, £300 million in tax to the Exchequer, and supports 85,000 jobs nationwide. In South Shropshire, Ludlow Racecourse alone supports over 100 local jobs and is a key part of the visitor economy.
The last government pledged that these checks would be non-intrusive and would strike the right balance between enjoyment and responsibility. However, it is understood that the pilot, which includes the use of Credit Reference Agencies, has shown that these checks cannot be “frictionless” for racing bettors. Stuart has said that this raises the risk of intrusive requests for personal financial documentation more suitable for securing a mortgage than engaging in a legitimate pastime that is enjoyed by millions of people.
The British Horseracing Authority has also warned of “lasting damage” to the sector and to the 59 racecourses across the country, which welcome over five million people each year. Estimates suggest that £250 million could be lost in the first five years alone. Stuart has urged the government to intervene urgently, commission a full and transparent assessment of the economic and social impact, and allow proper Parliamentary scrutiny before any further steps are taken. He has warned Ministers to not rely solely on the Gambling Commission’s assessment of the pilot.
