The UK has now imposed a ban on using credit cards for gambling purposes. This ban took effect earlier last month, the UK’s gambling watchdog the UKGC (UK Gambling Commission) issuing a statement on the matter.
This statement was addressed to its licensees, reminding them of the new rules surrounding credit cards for gambling related purposes. This ban includes funding various different e-wallets with credit cards, the UKGC’s CEO Neil McArthur claiming that these new regulations “ultimately reduces the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have.”
McArthur furthered his comments, stating that “The ban also comes at a vital time as we are seeing an increase in the use of some online products, such as online slots and virtual sports, and our online search analysis shows an increase in UK consumer interest in gambling products since the lockdown began. This highlights just how important it is for gambling operators to keep people safe and the credit card ban will help that.”
“This is another milestone and we will continue to look for ways to make gambling safer.”
Within this statement, the Gambling Commission also state that the credit card ban, and all it encompasses, is “an important step forward” for protecting those who gamble online, statistics showing 800,000 people throughout the UK used credit cards to fund their online gambling, and that 22% of online gamblers that use credit cards also suffer from problem gambling.
Immoral Online Casino Affiliates Advertise Non-Compliant Sites
The UK’s charity for problem gambling GamCare is has also made statements, warning that an increasing amount of individuals have tried to cancel their involvement in self-exclusion schemes for online gambling (e.g. GAMSTOP). There are also, many responsible gambling companies such as Uudet Kasinot who operate strict responsible gambling policies throughout their host nations. Chief executive of GamCare Anna Hemmings stated the following on the matter to the BBC:
“It is too early to see if problem gambling is on the rise” and “What we do know is that contributing factors to the addiction, such as financial distress, isolation and boredom, are increasing with Covid-19 and the Government measures.”
Additionally according to William Terry, dodgy affiliates of online casinos have been offering services for gamblers who are signed up to GAMSTOP, helping them to find online casinos that aren’t part of the GAMSTOP program.
All licensed online gambling operators in the UK are now obligated to be a part of GAMSTOP’s programme. The Gambling Commission has already suspended the licenses for two online gambling sites who failed to comply.
