Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) Chair Sean Trivass led a delegation from the HBF and met with Stuart Andrew MP, the minister with responsibility for the Gambling Act Review, on Wednesday.
Discussions included topics such as account closures and restrictions, the protection of funds, and terms and conditions, but focused primarily on affordability checks and their potential consequences for bettors and the horse racing industry in the UK. The HBF urged the minister to ensure affordability checks had no negative consequences on an individual's crediworthiness. Andrews was receptive to the suggestion that ordinary gamblers, who gain enjoyment from what is a hobby for them, should be included in future industry consumer groups, such as through the HBF itself.
Sean Trivass said, “We felt it was a positive meeting, with the minister seeming receptive to many of the points we made, not least about affordability checks, which are already taking place with undesirable consequences.
“HBF is very aware of the need to act to protect the small minority of punters who suffer harm through their betting, and is supportive of initiatives to improve their situation but this must not come at a significant cost to the many who enjoy a bet responsibly and for whom tackling the puzzle of horseracing is a hobby and a passion.
“We look forward to discussing matters further with the minister, and to continuing to put forward the views and concerns of the British horseracing betting public to him and others.”
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