Gambling - Credit card ban comes into force
2020
As we have previously reported, the Gambling Commission and DCMS’s proposal to ban the use of credit card for gambling.
On Tuesday (14th April 2020), the ban came into force. The ban will not apply to National Lottery tickets, society lottery tickets or scratchcards which can be bought in supermarkets and newsagents along with other non-gambling products. The Commission consider it would be a disproportionate burden on retailers to identify and prevent credit card payments for lottery tickets if they form part of a wider shop.
Announcing the ban coming into force, Neil McArthur, Gambling Commission chief executive, said: “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. This highlights just how important it is for gambling operators to keep people safe and the credit card ban will help that.”