On Sunday, a day prior to the Government’s scheduled debate regarding the affordability checks proposed in the Gambling White Paper, Jockey Club CEO Nevin Truesdale made a plea to the Government for the measure to be scrapped. His petition on the matter, which is set to end on May 1st, has thus far amassed more than 103,000 signatures.
Currently, the plans dictate that individuals who incur a £125 net loss per month or £500 per year would be eligible to undergo financial vulnerability checks. This would mean that even losses amounting to a little over £1 per day could prompt sportsbooks to look into a given individual’s financial situation.
As reported by The Telegraph, Truesdale said that if these “one-size-fits-all” affordability checks are implemented as planned, they could prove to be ineffective at helping problem gamblers and force punters to start relying on unregulated bookmakers who operate on the black market. He specifically cited the British HorseRacing Authority’s recent survey, which found that for every 10 punters, four would register on black market bookie websites should the Government move forward with its current plans. Truesdale continued, claiming that the financial checks would not be successful in taking into account a punter’s “personal circumstances” and thus, ultimately, not address situations where potential signs of problem gambling are detected.
He proposed the alternative of focusing more on data sharing in addition to “markers of harm” that would be outlined by the Government. According to him, such a system would be far more efficient in addressing gambling harm.
How the Affordability Checks will Affect the Horse Racing Industry
Nevin Truesdale also addressed the issue of how the checks will impact the horseracing industry, claiming that they might force British horse racing to incur yearly losses of £50 million and potentially lead to the loss of job positions.
Earlier last week, Truesdale also drew attention to the insights of Newmarket Racecourse and International Director at the Jockey Club Sophie Able, CEO of the National Stud Anna Kerr, and other representatives of the industry who were approached by the Racing Post’s Jonathan Harding to comment on the checks and how they will affect British horse racing.
Kerr stressed on how both the industry that surrounds the sport of racing and the proper care of the horses are dependent on sufficient financing. She further emphasised on the importance horse racing has when it comes to British culture.
Able added that the UK’s horse racing scene is also recognised internationally, yet currently, prize-money is “not as competitive” as it should be, according to her. She continued, noting that although the industry acknowledges the necessity of checks, the current plans will lead to long-lasting damages to British horse racing. An emphasis was also placed on the UK racing industry’s reputation on a global scale and how the British horse racing scene could suffer.
Pantile Stud owner Colin Murfitt even described the breeding of studs fit for British racing as “more of a hobby” than something that makes a profit. Yen Hall Farm-based trainer Sarah Humphrey also commented on the matter, expressing concern that many owners, who also happen to be bettors, would have their joy in observing the sport and owning horses impeded due to how the checks could affect them. She also told the Racing Post: “If I were 20 years younger, we’d sell up and move.” She described how the US, where her son William is based as a rider, is far more generous when it comes to prize-money. Humphrey also noted the difficult financial situation for UK owners and how the “knock-on effects” of the Government’s proposals “could be simply catastrophic.”
- Author
Daniel Williams
