Gamblers in the UK Banned from Credit Card Betting in April 2021

A new law will come into place in April that will stop gamblers in the UK from placing bets using a credit card. The new ruling will begin on the 14^th April 2021 it has been revealed by the UK Gambling Commission.

This is part of a big crackdown of problem gambling and the effects of that and comes on the back of a report that stated up to 800,000 people use a credit card to gamble.

It is fair to say that banning betting with credit cards will not stop problem gambling alone, but it is a key element in a strategy that is being put together by the Gambling Commission to stop this. It is expected that further changes and regulations will be brought in over a period of time that will compliment this one and work with it to prevent people from falling into gambling problems.

Chief executive of the UK Gambling Commission Neil McArthur said this:

“Gambling with credit cards can lead to serious financial problems. The ban announced today should reduce the risks of harm to people from gambling with borrowed money. The research indicates that almost 22% of online gambling users who use credit cards have a gambling problem. Evidence also tells us that fees incurred with credit card usage can worsen the problem because problem gamblers try to chase losses to a greater extent.”

Why Ban Credit Card Gambling?

The move to ban people from gambling on credit cards is viewed as a good one and one that will help tackle problem gambling. The BBC have looked at this issue and found problem gamblers that have used credit cards to place a bet, and how it has affected their lives. Gambling should be a fun activity and not something that requires credit lending to take part, with people only betting money that they have and can afford to lose.

The hope is that this will prevent those who don’t have money from being able to bet and putting themselves in risk. This is of course just one step towards solving the issue, but it is a good start and more changes are expected to follow which will both help problem gamblers at the moment and prevent others from having the same issues.

What to do if You Have a Gambling Problem?

New Regulations for Gambling TV Ads Set to Come into Play

How to Deal With Problems With Your Bookmaker

How to Know When I Have a Gambling Problem?

A gambling problem is not a nice thing to have, and the biggest test for you will be to admit it and speak to someone. We have a fantastic range of charities and funds that have been set up to help problem gamblers, with Be Gamble Aware being one of the biggest.

They have trained advisors who can listen to your problems and help you to move forward, taking the steps you need to move away from gambling and end your troubles. If you feel like you have a problem and would like to tell someone about it then get in touch with them and they can help you.