The government and Gambling Commission have created an appalling mess - and that should come as no surprise
Government and Gambling Commission's poorly handled affordability checks have angered British racing and ignored industry warnings, creating a damaging mess.Summary
The article criticizes the UK government and the Gambling Commission for pushing forward with affordability checks despite strong opposition from the British horseracing industry. It details a meeting with gambling minister Baroness Twycross where industry representatives from the BHA and BGC were ignored, and notes that prior official meetings had acknowledged concerns but were not conveyed to the minister. The piece highlights the Gambling Commission's lack of transparency, citing a Freedom of Information request by the BHA that was dismissed as vexatious, and accuses the regulator of gaslighting and inconsistent messaging. It argues that responsibility ultimately lies with Secretary of State Lisa Nandy, who has not met with racing’s governing body, unlike her predecessor. The author concludes that the resulting policy is a foreseeable mess that endangers problem gamblers, threatens British racing, and damages the gambling sector.
(Source：Racing Post)