For the time being, there is a variety of legal and social mechanisms aimed at protecting people from self-harm, with the majority of them being focused on raising public awareness on certain issues and provision of different reach-out programs, helplines and clinics. Others, on the other hand, are stricter in the way they address individuals in need of help. But still, the implementation of a more compassionate or stricter approach depends on every case individually.
Most recently, the Insolvency Service of the UK has shortlisted 32 individuals who would be banned from taking part in any form of what the executive agency of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial strategy described as “extravagant spending” over the next 15 years. All of the 32 individuals had to file for bankruptcy because of their excessive gambling habits which resulted in serious financial problems.
In order to address the issue, the competent body issued Bankruptcy Restrictions Orders to all of them, and as a result, the problem gamblers would not be allowed to gamble in the following 15 years. The move, which will automatically exclude these people from any participation in gambling activities, is intended to help them take back control of their spending and stabilise their financial state.
Still, the decision of the UK’s Insolvency Service would not block the individuals from taking part in gambling in offshore casino and sports betting platforms, which is one of the major issues in the decision that drew criticism.
Global Audit Company Says Gamblers Themselves Are the Ones to Blame for Participating in Risky Activities
While the UK Government has primarily tried to shift the responsibility for extensive customer checks to gambling companies, the country’s Insolvency Service has assumed that individuals, in fact, bear most of the responsibility themselves, as they are expected to keep themselves safe and avoid participating in risky activities in the first place.
The global audit, accounting and consulting group headquartered in Paris, Mazars, and its partner Paul Rouse, commented on the matter, arguing that the aforementioned restrictions are only issued to people who have already gone bankrupt because of their own irresponsible behaviour.
Mr Rouse has agreed that the stricter measure had turned out effective and encouraged people to be more cautious, especially when taking part in activities that could cost serious financial resources, including gambling. He noted that people who are drawn into risky gambling or trading must always take into account the risks these activities pose. Mr Rouse further shared that things are not always as simple as declaring bankruptcy in order to avoid taking responsibility for the debts that might have been accumulated as a result of reckless behaviour. He explained that any person who breaks the aforementioned restrictions commits a criminal offence, which could lead to the implementation of fines or even a custodial sentence when it comes to particularly serious cases.
The ban imposed by the Insolvency Service of the UK will probably not be the end of the story, because the governmental body will continue looking up to individuals who have gone bankrupt as a result of their extravagant spending habits, including excessive gambling.
Reportedly, the body is expected to announce more such notices and stricter measures later this year, especially to people who have been gambling excessively. The UK Insolvency Service will pursue gamblers who may have lent money to cover their gambling expenditures.
- Author
Daniel Williams
