Nannying ministers plot to ban punters from ‘free bets’ under barmy new plans
NANNYING ministers want to ban punters from having ‘free bets’ under barmy new plans.
Critics fear millions of gamblers could be sucked into black market betting if government plans to ban freebies go ahead.
Ministers want to end all promotions in the Gambling White Paper — and force everyone who fancies a flutter to undergo affordability checks.
Offers, free bets, and free spins given away by bookies would all be made illegal — clobbering the horse racing industry and cutting the Treasury’s tax take in the process.
One Tory MP called the proposal “utterly bonkers”.
New research conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Betting and Gaming Council found 69 per cent of punters want free bets to continue.
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Almost one in three punters said they would consider black market betting if ministers forced through a ban.
Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, Michael Dugher, said: “Ministers shouldn’t be sticking their nose into how people choose to spend their own money.
“Blanket bans on offers would severely degrade customer experience, punishing the overwhelming majority of punters who bet safely.”
The BGC warned black market gamblers more than doubled in the last two years to 460,000 users with the amount staked now in the billions of pounds.
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But last night a Department for Media, Culture and Sport spokesman said the review would be published “in weeks”, adding: “We are undertaking the most comprehensive review of gambling laws in 15 years to ensure they are fit for the digital age.”