BGC chair demands immediate release of white paper amid affordability concerns

Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) chair Brigid Simmonds has backed a new campaign for horseracing fans to demand answers from government regarding affordability checks.

The campaign, kickstarted by Racing TV, comes off the back of the growing furore around affordability checks being implemented for customers and the knock-on effect the lack of spending has on the horseracing industry.

According to a survey of Racing TV members, around 15% of the 3,500 respondents said they bet or knew someone else who bet with an unlicensed online operator.

Furthermore, almost 80% of respondents said they would not like to see mandatory spending limits put in place by operators.

Finally, 92% of those surveyed said they would consider using a different bookmaker if no personal information was required.

These damning statistics and ongoing delays with the white paper into the Gambling Act 2005 review has now seen Racing TV enlist punters to ask MPs for clarity on the matter.

In throwing her support behind the campaign, Simmonds said the white paper should be released immediately to remove confusion.

She said: “The recent debate around the white paper has shown us there is confusion, when there should be clarity. No one benefits from this, not our members, nor their millions of customers.

“The white paper should now be published without delay, to bring certainty for businesses and punters, so that investment can continue.

“I would urge anyone who has an interest in racing and in protecting their enjoyment of betting on the sport to sign up to this campaign,” she added.