Gambling Commission CEO dismisses punters' implicit 'right to bet'
Views at odds with punters groups calling for minimum bet rules
The introduction of minimum bet rules that several punters groups have been calling for are “not a priority” for the UK Gambling Commission, according to CEO Neil McArthur.
Speaking to EGR last week after the Commission published its first Enforcement Report, McArthur echoed his predecessor Sarah Harrison in saying consumers had no “right to bet” in current gambling legislation.
Account restrictions are one of the most frequent gripes from punters’ group like the Horseracing Bettors Forum and Justice for Punters, and several operators have responded with minimum bet guarantees from the likes of William Hill on the World Cup and horseracing, and Betfair on high-level racing.
EGR understands at least two more major UK sportsbooks are expected to announce similar guarantees in the coming weeks, although it is highly unlikely to become part of operator’s licence conditions any time soon.
McArthur told EGR: “Our concern is making sure consumers are being treated fairly. We have some sympathy with the idea these restrictions apply asymmetrically for instance, when it starts to apply when someone starts wining after having lost a lot.
“But there is no right to bet in legislation and it would require the legislation to change. We recognise companies need to manage their risk and are entitled to choose their consumers just like other businesses pick their clients. We’re aware of the debate, but is it a priority for us? We have other priorities for the time being.”
When asked whether restrictions were unfair because they removed the aspirational element of betting, McArthur responded: “I can see that argument and that does touch on the licence objectives and it touches on our desire for consumers to be treated fairly. I take the point.”
In a recent EGR opinion piece, Brian Chappell, founder of Justice for Punters, called for the introduction of a minimum bet liability (MBL) similar to the one for horseracing in Victoria, with multi-accounting then made a crime.
“You can’t have one without two because it will be exploited, creating greater market unfairness and I accept this will not solve all the ‘fair and open’ gambling market problems, but it’ll be a good start,” Chappell wrote.