Date published: 06.03.2019

UK Gambling Commission reviews credit card use in online gambling

The UK Gambling Commission has requested that stakeholders, which include operators and the public, deliver their opinions concerning the use of credit cards in online gambling as well as player control on category B gaming machines. Our focus today is on the credit card ban proposal.

Using credit cards to gamble online

Principle 2, backed by the Commission, was based on a recommendation by the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) in 2018. Its foundation is in the belief that players should not be gambling with money that they do not have, in other words, using credit. A clear link between at risk gambling persons and credit has already been determined. The aim of the consultation is to determine whether a move to prohibit credit as a form of financing online gambling is necessary to protect players at risk.

Gambling on credit in the UK

At present, UK players can gamble using credit through a number of different options. They include overdraft facilities linked to debit cards, credit cards or using payday loans. Gambling with borrowed money is recognized by problem gambling screening tools such as the one from the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). If you are a player and not sure if you might show signs of problem gambling you can take a test here ↱.

Balancing the rights of all stakeholders

We at FortunaOnlineCasinos.com welcome any decision that balances the need to protect the most vulnerable of society from the impact of problem gambling, with the right for responsible players to indulge in an entertaining pastime within a regulated environment. A ban on credit cards is not a final solution, as there are ways of getting around it such as using an e-wallet topped up with a credit card. We do however think that it would represent a good first step.