Credit checks on gamblers carried out by bookies

Credit checks on gamblers carried out by bookies to make sure they can afford to place bets are a step nearer under proposed laws to stop vulnerable punters from racking up big losses

• It follows £19.2m fine on William Hill for letting customers spend without checks
• Toughest measures are expected to be watered down amid industry lobbying

Gamblers are set to have credit checks carried out on them by bookmakers to ensure they can afford to place bets under proposed new laws to stop people racking up big losses.

The move, to be announced later this month in a long-awaited gambling white paper, follows a £19.2 million fine on William Hill for letting customers spend tens of thousands of pounds without checks.

Critics have demanded restrictions on sponsorship and advertising, but some of the toughest measures are expected to be watered down amid fierce industry lobbying.

Last year the Mail on Sunday revealed ‘affordability checks’ were likely to be introduced as part of the gambling reform measures.

Details are yet to be published but it is believed there will be automatic background checks on punters spending moderate sums. These would take seconds and could involve examining indicators of financial vulnerability such as county court debt judgments.

(Stock Photo) Gamblers are set to have credit checks carried out on them by bookmakers to ensure they can afford to place bets

Appropriate actions that would need to be taken if risks are indicated are likely to be decided after further consultation.

It is likely higher bets would require enhanced checks.

Risks that problem gamblers will move to other online sites to avoid restrictions means a form of industry-wide data sharing may be introduced.

This would give regulated companies information about activity across all betting operators without compromising the gambler’s data privacy rights.

Some operators have already begun introducing measures to protect vulnerable customers.

Last week the Gambling Commission imposed a record fine on William Hill.

The commission discovered a string of failings from William Hill brands, including their bookie shops, williamhill.com and online casino site Mr Green.

The regulator found one customer was allowed to open an account and spend £23,000 in 20 minutes without any checks, and another was able to deposit and lose £70,134 in a month.

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