Top Newmarket trainer John Gosden is the latest big horse racing figure to get behind the betting affordability petition, that recently hit the magic 100,000 signatures. Urging more people to sign.
Betting Affordability Checks Petition Breaks 100k Signature Barrier
The Gambling Commission’s white paper surrounding betting affordability checks for UK online gambling sites was dealt a blow on Tuesday 28th November as the industry led petition reached the magic 100,000 signatures.
This now means by law the issues must be debated in parliament – with any petition that hits 100k+ names has the right to be heard by MP’s in the house of commons.
To sign the petition and view the live numbers – click here.
You can also see just what the proposed gambling affordability checks are in more detail.
These are designed to highlight and prevent problem gamblers with a number of finincial trigger checks should any punters lose a set amount over a given period.
No set date has been given for the affordability checks debate to be heard in parliament.
John Gosden The Latest Big Horse Racing Name To Get Behind The Petition
Trainer John Gosden, who has trained two Epsom Derby winners, threw his hat into the affordability checks debate – getting fully behind the decision to try and quash the Gambling Commissions proposed white paper.
Gosden used the Racing Post email database to send out a message to their thousands on the list to encourage more signatures, despite the petition already hitting over 100k names.
John Gosden, OBE is one of the veteran flat trainers in the UK that has won most of the top Group One races around the world – including this year’s Epsom Oaks with the Frankie Dettori-ridden Soul Sister. Plus, was also the trainer of the superstar mare Enable, who won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice.
Gosden Suggests Focus Should Be On Online Casinos
In his address to the Racing Post readers, Gosden (72), who is based at Newmarket, went onto say that the focus for the Gambling Commission should be more targeted on the online casino and gaming sector. Adding that “prohibition did not stop people drinking but instead created speakeasies, bootlegging and crime. If someone wants to drink or bet, they will find a way.”
Gosden also says that the horse racing and breeding industry in the UK is the most respected internationally for its quality and standing. And this needs to be understood by the Gambling Commission before another great British industry is destroyed.
Other leading trainers – including champion jumps handler Paul Nicholls and Sir Mark Prescott – are also getting behind the petition.
You can see the full John Gosden email here.
“The Gambling Act of 2005 was obviously unable to foresee the ubiquitous arrival of the iPhone. It is this that has placed a casino in everyone’s pocket and it is this that has changed the face of betting.”
“Online gaming casinos are merely instantly accessible FOBTs. They require no more than an addictive personality for a person to be drawn in and seduced by the bright colours and offers. “
“Start playing repetitively and the algorithms will hook you, whereas gambling on horseracing requires deep research, a high degree of knowledge and understanding of a host of factors, including form, going, draw, distance, pedigrees, jockey and trainer. It is not a casual ‘shoot from the hip’ bet. It is not the same as putting it all on black or red.”
“Online casino gaming is where the Gambling Commission should be targeting its focus. However, the interim affordability checks do not differentiate it from racing and are absolutely not frictionless. They are having the unintended consequence of pushing people to the unregulated black market, where they will have no protection.”
If someone wants to drink or bet, they will find a way
“Prohibition did not stop people drinking but instead created speakeasies, bootlegging and crime. If someone wants to drink or bet, they will find a way.”
“It is increasingly clear that the present affordability checks are not fit for purpose. Any subsequent legislation that is blunt and ill-defined will damage the racing industry, whose relationship with betting is historical, sophisticated and symbiotic.”
“As Martin Cruddace’s letter points out, there are many better avenues to achieving many of the regulator’s aims without resorting to a sledgehammer to break the nut. It also still remains a mystery as to why the Gambling Commission has not yet published its findings of the original consultation on affordability checks from two and a half years ago.”
“The horseracing and breeding industry in this country is the most respected internationally for its quality and standing. It is also a huge asset to UK plc. The Gambling Commission and government need to begin to understand this fact before another great British industry is destroyed.”
“Please, therefore, join me in signing British racing’s petition that calls on the government to think again.”
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