The U.K. moves to reduce gambling problem
The U.K’s gambling industry is moving fast to reduce gambling problems in the industry. The nation is banning the use of credit cards in online gaming sites, betting outlets, and casinos. The ban came into effect last week.
The outlets mentioned above are prohibited from accepting credit card payment. The only exception to this rule are lotteries that have a good cause. Nationals will still have the ability to buy lotto tickets with the aid of their credit cards as long as they purchase other items along with it.
The decision first came into the limelight back in January before the lockdown was enacted in the U.K. The prohibition was embraced by anti-gambling campaigners, and politicians who feared the isolation will act as the catalyst for addictive gambling. There is an increased fear that consumers will take comfort in various online games that might pose greater risks than sports betting.
Killing The Boredom
Even though there is no first-hand evidence that the gambling habits of U.K. residents have increased amid the coronavirus pandemic,
GamCare, the charity that runs the national gambling helpline, said that it has seen an increase in the number of calls from people trying to beat their gambling addiction.
“What we do know is that contributing factors to the addiction, such as financial distress, isolation, and boredom are increasing with COVID-19,” Anna Hemmings, GamCare chief executive said.
“Most worryingly for us, this situation has been accompanied by a drop-off in callers to our helpline,” she added. “At a time when people are at their most vulnerable, the lockdown has created a situation where those people may feel they can’t get help confidentially.”
Neil McCarthur, chief executive of the U.K Gambling Commission (UKGC), said the act to ban the use of credit cards is in favor of customers.
