BGC: “Draconian” ban on free bets will turn people to the black market

New data released by YouGov, on behalf of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has revealed almost one-in-three punters (28%) would look to gambling’s black market if promotions or free bets were banned in the UK. Free bets and promotions used by operators as customer acquisition and retention tools may be under threat as the government prepares the white paper review into the Gambling Act 2005, which is expected imminently. Anti-gambling reform groups have called for them to be scrapped completely, however the latest data has indicated that 69% of customers say they should be allowed and 63% revealed that they were a vital part of their betting activity. Were free bets and promotions to be outlawed, the BGC claims that the horseracing industry could be hit to the tune of £5m per year due to reductions in levy payments prompted by the betting public turning to the unregulated black market. The BGC has stated that black market usage has increased from 220,000 users to 460,000 in the last two years. Michael Dugher, chief executive of the BGC, lashed out at any potential ban: “Blanket bans on offers would be anti-punter and would severely degrade the customer experience, punishing the overwhelming majority of punters who bet safely. “A draconian ban would damage a sector which tens of thousands rely on for their livelihoods, by turning punters away from the regulated industry into the arms of unsafe, unregulated black-market gambling.” Dugher went on to reaffirm the BGC’s support for the government’s “evidence-led” approach to gambling reform but urged for the white paper to protect those who are vulnerable and allow the majority to continue to play safely. “Ministers shouldn’t be sticking their nose into how people choose to spend their own money and the last thing they should be doing at this time is damaging business and sport,” he added. Following a number of delays, DCMS parliamentary undersecretary Nigel Huddleston for DCMS revealed at the start of June that the white paper was due in “the coming weeks”.