More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A Kent MP has announced betting companies will soon be banned from letting customers use credit cards to gamble.
Scroll down to hear Cllr Vince Maple speak about the issue
The restriction, which comes into effect on April 14, follows a review of online betting by the Gambling Commission and the government's look at gaming machines and social responsibility measures.
Statistics show some 24 million adults in Great Britain gamble, with 10.5 million of those doing so online.
UK Finance, meanwhile, estimates that some 800,000 people use credit cards to gamble.
The ban, which will apply to all online and offline gambling products, with the exception of lotteries that run for good causes, was today announced by culture minister and Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whately.
She said: “While millions gamble responsibly, I have also met people whose lives have been turned upside down by gambling addiction.
“There is clear evidence of harm from consumers betting with money they do not have, so it is absolutely right that we act decisively to protect them.
“In the past year we have introduced a wave of tougher measures, including cutting the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals, bringing in tighter age and identity checks for online gambling and expanding national specialist support through the NHS Long Term Plan.
"We have also secured a series of commitments from five leading gambling operators that will include £100 million funding towards treatment for problem gamblers.
“But there is more to do. We will be carrying out a review of the Gambling Act to ensure it is fit for the digital age and we will be launching a new nationwide addiction strategy in 2020.
“We will not hesitate to take any further action necessary to protect people from gambling harm.”
The changes to stakes on fixed odds betting terminals, dubbed the crack cocaine of gambling, was announced by Mrs Whately's colleague Tracey Crouch, who represents Chatham and Aylesford, last year after much local campaign.
Listen to the KentOnline daily news podcast to hear more about this story.
Read more: All the latest news from Faversham
