General Chat

[Mighty]

Word for word exactly the same e-mail I received fro
my MP too.
Clearly the government had a template response drafted and instructed all MPs to issue the pre agreed response.

The review took place months ago, the actions arising from it are already agreed and there won’t be any good news for punters or for racing, the only question that remains is when will the bad news land ?
A large number of people in here will be affected…

The template response is agreed by the same group of MPs (I’m assuming they’re from the same party) but the fine details are still being hammered out.

Next stage is publication of the White Paper, which sets the policy direction, but there’s still plenty of opportunity to pressure MPs over the next few months before the legislation arrives in Parliament. No legislation as drafted and introduced to Parliament ever reaches royal assent I un-amended, so there’s time yet to influence the precise threshold - however I think the chance of stopping affordability checks is unlikely…

[Quevega]

My response was different - Labour MP.



Thank you for your email regarding the ongoing Review of the 2005 Gambling Act.

Lots of people gamble safely and lots of people enjoy gambling, and for this reason I understand your concerns. However, it is clear that at least some reform of the current regulation is needed. Every day at least one person takes their life because of gambling, and the online industry in particular is weakly regulated which is leading to gambling related harm.

Chris Philp, the gambling minister, has indicated that imminent reforms could include affordability checks. I presume this would operate in a similar way as to how mobile phone companies or care dealerships would check people’s credit scores before making a sale, although we will have to wait and see when the proposals were published.

Providing that smooth and unobtrusive initial checks are placed on those placing smaller stakes, and more intrusive checks only introduced at the higher levels of spending, then I would be supportive of such proposals. What I am not saying is that everyone who wants to gamble ought to submit 6 months’ worth of payslips or bank statements in-order to place a bet, that would be ludicrous and a disproportionate response to the problem of addiction and gambling-related harm.

In practice a system could be introduced whereby accounts would be unable to bet over a certain amount in a single stake or over a period of time, unless they committed themselves to some form of credit check. So those wishing to place a ?20 bet on the Grand National via a betting app would be able to do so, subject to a very brief credit check and only when initially setting up their online account. However, those wishing to bet large sums would need to commit themselves to a more thorough and rigorous check before being able to set up an account that would allow them to do so. Of course, at this stage what constitutes a smaller stake needs to be more thoroughly outlined, and I will wait to see what the Government comes up with in this regard. Personally, I would think that it would only those betting consistently or gambling with stakes over ?100 who would need a more thorough check. I also think that these rules will most likely just apply to online betting, as betting in-store is already subject to more rigorous safeguarding procedures.

Clearly more help is needed to protect those with addictions being exploited by betting companies, and a tougher regulatory environment is needed. However, without concrete proposals published it is only speculation at present, and whilst I am in favour of further regulation it is difficult to make an assessment without knowing exactly what the new measures will be. As you will be aware, a white paper outlining government proposals is set to be published this year. Once that is published I will look at its proposals and make a decision over whether to support them then. You are more than welcome to contact me once the proposals are published to find out my views on them in detail.

Thank you again for emailing me your views, I appreciate you taking the time to do so. If you have any further concerns regarding this or any other issue, please feel free to drop me another email.

[Istabraq]

The template response is agreed by the same group of MPs (I’m assuming they’re from the same party) but the fine details are still being hammered out.

Next stage is publication of the White Paper, which sets the policy direction, but there’s still plenty of opportunity to pressure MPs over the next few months before the legislation arrives in Parliament. No legislation as drafted and introduced to Parliament ever reaches royal assent I un-amended, so there’s time yet to influence the precise threshold - however I think the chance of stopping affordability checks is unlikely…

Yes sorry, I should have said Government (Tory) response is templated.

Governments work cleverly with sensitive changes, they drip feed snippets to the masses so there are no shocks when the paper is released.
I agree there may well be amendments but aside
from one or two token compromises it will unfortunately be a heap of pain for the betting industry, punters and racing.
It wasn’t that long ago the roulette machines in shops went from pretty much unrestricted to 2 quid a spin so they have history of making radical
changes.
What grates here is the suggestion that every punter is potentially addicted so a third party will decide how much we can afford when there are multiple addictions that ruin more lives every day than gambling ever did, and the end result will be an exodus of business to unregulated options, and that will reduce the money being ploughed into racing…

[HoldenTheReins]

Benie Des Dieux and her filly foal born at 3.30am this morning by Walk In The Park (Bective Stud on Instagram)

https://twitter.com/ClaireSimonetti/status/1518902508118282242

[Geegees]

Shocking decision to run Bob today, again clearly wasn’t right and if he is really the GC hope they think he is then given out soundly he was getting beat at Cheltenham to then find an issue then surely you give him the summer off to fully recover and prepare for the big one next year.

No pocket talking either… I really don’t understand what was worth gaining today, the marsh was a grade 1 and wasn’t exactly a penalty kick grade one field either where he only needed to be 50% fit to win it

[Exar Essay]

Anyone know much about 888 Sport? Looks Micky Mouse, but seems to have some good prices.

[Block 205]

Anyone know much about 888 Sport? Looks Micky Mouse, but seems to have some good prices.

Exar Essay, I've had an account with them for a number of years, and although I don't use them a great deal I've never encountered any issues with them.

[Istabraq]

Anyone know much about 888 Sport? Looks Micky Mouse, but seems to have some good prices.

Opened an acc one Saturday morning, placed 4 bets, overall P&L +50 quid, by Saturday evening I’d received 3 emails saying I was no longer eligible for BOG, no longer eligible for offers/promotions then the final email said my acc had been closed.
Clowns…

[Saxon Warrior]

Shocking decision to run Bob today, again clearly wasn’t right and if he is really the GC hope they think he is then given out soundly he was getting beat at Cheltenham to then find an issue then surely you give him the summer off to fully recover and prepare for the big one next year.

No pocket talking either… I really don’t understand what was worth gaining today, the marsh was a grade 1 and wasn’t exactly a penalty kick grade one field either where he only needed to be 50% fit to win it

Looks like he's ran the horse twice when he's feeling something or struggling.

The first time they've said he was
a) making a horrid noise midrace
b) sustained a leg injury midrace

The second time
They put a tongue-tie on - which suggests he needs a breathing op (given the noise mentioned above).

Then he couldn't go a modest pace, got left behind, having ran with his head slightly to one side before pulling up.

That looks like a horse in pain and/or not breathing properly.

[Exar Essay]

I've had an account with them for a number of years, and although I don't use them a great deal I've never encountered any issues with them.

Thanks to you and Istabraq for the response. Think I'll chance them as the 50/1 about Capodanno is ridiculous given that Willie has name checked the race too.

[twig78]

Our man Kambongo joined top scorer now with Wrexham's Mullin. Can't remember who first put this up but I've had a lot of fun following it this year so thanks. Shame he got injured.

[Eggs]

Our man Kambongo joined top scorer now with Wrexham's Mullin. Can't remember who first put this up but I've had a lot of fun following it this year so thanks. Shame he got injured.

…spot on. 10-1 for e/w if I recall rightly, so that looks home & hosed.

[DenmanSacre]

Some nice horses being sold tomorrow at the Punchestown sales.

The Gooner was very impressive this month in his PTP win. He could potentially be the top lot with Wrappedupinmay.

Wrappedupinmay was very impressive last weekend, winning by a distance. Vibes beforehand were strong and is apparently very well thought of by the trainer.

Castleward was 3rd to An Tobar by 20l before winning well on his 2nd run.

Fortunate Soldier was 3rd to Act of Authority before winning well 10 days ago.

Heads or Harps is related to Harchibald and won his PTP well.

The front 2 in the bumper on Tuesday, Absolute Notions and Miss Agusta, are also up for sale.

Also looks like some decent mares are for sale.

[Rigga]

Any word for redemption day target next season ? As good as Facile Vega was, redemption day impressed and Willie has always appeared quite keen on him also.. I think the further he goes the better also..

[darlojim]

Any word for redemption day target next season ? As good as Facile Vega was, redemption day impressed and Willie has always appeared quite keen on him also.. I think the further he goes the better also..

Hes all speed mate, doubt he'd be going up in trip.