UK Bans Credit Card Gambling

The United Kingdom has prohibited the utilization of credit cards for wagering, commencing today (April 14th). The regulatory body asserts that this measure is particularly crucial due to the coronavirus confinement. This prohibition was declared in January by the Gambling Commission and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It signifies that individuals residing in the UK are no longer permitted to employ credit cards for gambling activities. This encompasses all online and offline gambling, with the exception of non-remote lotteries such as the National Lottery and scratch cards acquired from retail establishments. The ban also extends to credit card gambling conducted through electronic wallets. The Gambling Commission advises operators that they are only permitted to accept payments via electronic wallets if they effectively prevent the use of credit cards for gambling purposes. The Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, Neil McArthur, stated that this prohibition will safeguard consumers from financial detriment.

This prohibition ultimately lessens the chance of customers being hurt by wagering with funds they lack.

The timing of this prohibition is ideal, as we’ve observed a rise in the use of specific online items, like online slots and virtual athletics, and our online search analytics indicate that UK consumers’ interest in gambling items has grown since the lockdown commenced.

This prohibition is another significant landmark, and we will continue to investigate ways to make gambling safer.

The decision to implement this prohibition came after the Commission’s review of online gambling and the government’s review of gaming machines and social accountability measures. The public consultation on the prohibition ran from August to November 2019.

In a March article published on iGB, Jake Pollard examined the effect of the prohibition on the industry and problematic gambling rates.

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