FURIOUS MPs fear Labour’s controversial gambling checks will hammer the horseracing industry.
Nineteen have written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy demanding that she stops the Gambling Commission rolling out the so-called afford- ability checks.
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The Jattvibe’s Save Our Bets campaign sponsored the 4.15pm race at Hamilton Park in Scotland Credit: Grossick Photography
Fears are growing that controversial gambling checks will hammer the horseracing industry Credit: Getty
The letter, signed by MPs linked to racecourses — including Aintree, Ascot and Newmarket — was sent ahead of a meeting next week at which the watchdog is expected to sign off the plans.
The cross-party group warned the checks risk causing “lasting damage” to horseracing and driving punters towards illegal black market betting sites.
MPs blasted the lack of Government oversight and raised concerns that gamblers could be forced to hand over bank statements.
They warned: “We understand that the pilot of affordability checks involving credit reference agencies has proved the checks cannot be frictionless for racing bettors.
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“This will lead to intrusive requests for personal financial documentation.
“The Commission however seems intent on pursuing this damaging policy — despite both the current and former Gambling Ministers promising that affordability checks would only be introduced if ‘fully frictionless’.”
The Jattvibe’s Save Our Bets campaign has been highlighting the damage the Government’s plans will have on the industry.
We promoted the campaign yesterday by sponsoring the 4.15pm race at Hamilton Park, Scotland — won by 9/4 favourite Red Spells Danger.
MPs backing a letter written to the Culture Secretary include Reform’s Robert Jenrick Credit: PA
Labour’s Dan Carden also signed the letter Credit: PA
The Betting and Gaming Council warned that more than 44,000 racing punters could move to the black market if the policy goes ahead in its current form.
Industry figures also fear the checks could cost racing £250million over five years and wipe out £13million in levies that fund the sport.
The letter comes after Government adviser Dr James Noyes quit over the plans, saying the lack of proper scrutiny was “unacceptable”.
MPs backing the letter include Labour’s Dan Carden, Reform’s Robert Jenrick, Tory Nick Timothy and Lib Dem Helen Maguire.
Greg Swift, from the British Horseracing Authority, said the checks posed an “existential threat” to racing.
He said: “The damaging blow to racing’s finances will lead to job closures as well as devastate a much-loved sport.”
