Gambling losses could be capped at £100 a month to combat addiction , its all over lads !

[ghost22]

The Gambling Commission is consulting over setting a threshold for losses, which would trigger action and interventions by betting firms to ensure gamblers do not not spend beyond their means.

The crackdown comes amid growing concerns that gambling firms are failing to tackle the two million people in the UK that the Commission estimates to be either problem gamblers or at risk of addiction.

The consultation, seen by The Telegraph, found that more than half of the population had a “discretionary” income of under £250 a month, after they had paid their taxes, bills, food and accommodation.

The Commission said any threshold needed to take account of the fact that this disposable income was not just for gambling but also for travel, sport, leisure, clothing, haircuts and other activities.

This was supported by data that showed only 17 per cent of online slot gamblers and nine per cent of non-slot players suffered monthly reported losses of more than £100.

This corresponded closely with the 21 per cent who admitted betting more than they could afford, which is regarded by experts as a key trait of problem gamblers.

It said that thresholds set by some companies at tens of thousands were not “appropriate” given the research. Citing a £2,000 limit as neither “realistic or appropriate,” it said the evidence pointed to a number “considerably below this”.

“The lowest possible threshold is likely to be at least £100 loss per calendar month,” said the Commission.

The plans are part of a major consultation by the Commission into measures to protect vulnerable gamblers and those at risk of addiction. It includes time limits of an hour after which gamblers need to be challenged over their continued betting and curbs on bonuses.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/03/exclusive-gambling-losses-could-capped-100-month-combat-addiction/