Unlike UK, Irish Government Refuses to Inspect Financial Stability of Gamblers

As they are too invasive, the Irish government has rejected implementing affordability checks for gamblers, as they do in the UK.

In the UK, the Gambling Commission (UKGC – a non-departmental public organization of the UK government in charge of overseeing gaming legislation in the country and controlling gambling) is suggesting in its whitepaper that bookies investigate consumers’ affordability if they lose more than £125 each month or £500 annually. Customers would then have to give the gaming firm proof of their income in order to be able to place bets. Many British residents find this policy objectionable because they think the checks will invade their privacy and interfere with their hobbies.

The UK government is taking this action in an effort to curb gambling addiction, which they believe is becoming more prevalent in the wake of the pandemic when betting online, especially on mobile bookies, such as bookmakers with iOS apps, grew significantly.

Despite Addiction Worries, Ireland Won’t Follow UK in Requiring Affordability Checks for Gamblers

While the Irish government is eager to address addiction, The Irish Sun disclosed that it doesn’t intend to go the same way as the UK and implement affordability checks.

According to the media, James Browne, the minister in charge of gaming regulation, wouldn’t be looking into the potential of affordability checks because he feels they would be too invasive. According to him, the UK is actually implementing income assessments with affordability checks: “We’re not doing that here because I think that affordability checks are quite personally invasive in the people who are gambling. I don’t think that is an appropriate way to go.”

Presently, Minister Browne is polishing his own gambling bill in preparation for its eventual passage by the Senate of Ireland in 2024. The proposed regulations would forbid gambling corporations from running web and television advertisements before 9 p.m., outlaw promotions like free bets, and establish new resources to help those who suffer from addiction.

Petition Calls for UK to Give Up Its Plans for Affordability Checks

A recent petition aims to block the UK government’s intended introduction of financial checks. This measure is being opposed by a petition that was started at the beginning of November on petition.parliament.uk. Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive of The Jockey Club (the largest commercial group in horse racing in the UK), created the petition, which aims to let the administration know that people are unhappy with its plans.

Although the petition recognized the need to address problem gambling, it referred to the planned checks’ existing form as inappropriate and discriminatory. The petition also expressed concern that a decrease in turnover could result in a catastrophic impact on the finances of British horseracing due to the checks.

The petition will be answered by the government once it reaches 10,000 signatures. The petition will be brought up for debate in Parliament once it receives 100,000 signatures. As of the time of writing, more than 103,000 people have signed the petition. It will remain active for six months, ending on May 1.