The previously-approved ban on gambling via credit card in the UK has now come into full effect.
It was announced in January that gambling via this payment method would be outlawed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), government and Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DMCS).
All online and offline gambling products will be included in the ban. The only exceptions are the National Lottery and a few other things.
Ban “comes at a vital time”
Through the newly-established laws, operators can only accept e-wallet payments if they prohibit the use of credit cards for betting.
UKGC Chief Executive Neil McArthur spoke about the introduction of these new regulations, with his words being as follows.
“This credit card ban will further protect consumers from financial harm and from today, nobody in Great Britain can use a credit card to gamble.
“It is a ban which ultimately reduces the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have.
“The ban also comes at a vital time as we are seeing an increase in the use of some online products, such as online slots and virtual sports, and our online search analysis shows an increase in UK consumer interest in gambling products since the lockdown began.”
More changes to come
Player safety has been the primary goal of the UKGC this year. The decision to ban credit card gambling came after a review of the UK’s gambling industry.
In an article on BBC News, it was reported that 22% of credit card gamblers were also considered to be problem gamblers.
There are more changes to come for both operators and affiliates, too.
All affiliates will soon need to adhere to a code of conduct, which will be updated on a regular basis. VIP schemes will also become more restricted.
There will also be changes to online advertising. One of these relates to targeting on some platforms, which will be restricted to players aged 25 and above. Moreover, YouTube channels will be age-gated.
The UKGC hopes to begin implementing these changes sooner, rather than later.
