I have read an article on the BBC news website this morning that the Gambling Commission are to ban the use of credit cards to bet online. Link below:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51103006

I would like to here the thoughts of fellow CC members on this, do you think this is good or bad for poker player?

Personally although I have used credit cards to deposit in the past I do still believe this to be a great move as I have seen far too many friends take out credit cards purely to fuel their gambling addiction. Leading to ever rising unmanageable debts and ultimately in some cases severe damage to their mental health.

Initially this may prove an inconvenience for some but surely better to gamble with what you can afford and not borrow what you cant to fuel a habit, right?

We're used to it in the USA. It's all bitcoin here for the most part.

Originally Posted by Psycho

We're used to it in the USA. It's all bitcoin here for the most part.

Yeah I don't think it will be long before its the same here to be honest. Hope not though would prefer to stick with debit cards / neteller etc personally.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

I think this is the right and reasonable decision !!!

I think it's good, I'm not sure gambling on credit is ever a good idea even if you can afford to pay the bill each month, debit card or an inline wallet should be enough!

The line is too thin when you use credit to fuel your gambling. Not everyone can control. Better options are available. So I think sometimes other people have to take decisions to protect those who can't. If that is the case. I did't read the article.

As usual, because of a few people who cant control themselves, everyone suffers. For me personally, I should be able to use it for whatever I want. I pay it off. I pay the interest. We are constantly allowing governments and corporations to tell us what we can and cannot do.

right decision because gambling on credit is not good idea

Starting in April 2020, UK gaming operators will stop processing credit card payments as part of the Gambling Commission’s push for greater social responsibility.

Safety Takes Precedence as UK Gambling Commission Bans Credit Card Payments

It’s a farce because it does little to address the root cause.

I grasp the scale of the problem in the UK. Gambling, or rather the rampant and ubiquitous promotion of gambling has dominated British life for decades. Why not begin by curbing all the sports betting opportunities presented on every high street first? In the tiny UK there are 9,000 high street betting shops.

Big business (in this case betting) has been allowed to promote itself into society/sports in a manner that even the US does not tolerate. By way of example the US does not allow the top professional teams to carry commercial sponsorship on team jerseys. However, in the UK (and hence Europe) the Premier League has allowed teams to carry whatever sponsorship they wanted – betting companies, beer companies etc. I remember re-visiting the UK years ago and asking relatives how on earth were Premier League teams allowed to advertise alcohol or betting or fast food? With football being idolized by every kid were these not insidious and dreadful endorsements for kids specifically and society in general?

As of the2019/2020 season half the Premier League teams carry sport betting companies sponsorship logos.


How was this ever allowed? This is attempting to close the barn door after the horse has bolted.

I am not in the UK but I live in the states so no stranger to regulations. This would seem to cause a burden with players and sites alike. Although I use btc most of the time if I do deposit at my main site I do use card often.

My personal motto has always been only gamble what you can afford to lose. Gambling on credit goes against that, if you don't have the money to risk in the first place then probably shouldn't be doing it?

Think this is a very good thing. People shouldn't play with money they do not have and these kind of players must be desperate with the extra fees involved. I think this is quite a responsible move.

Hi.It is a good desicion of British authorities.Credit cards in poker should be banned .Debit cards are the best to control your money.

Protection Measures

As part of its drive for greater social responsibility, UK passed new "responsible gambling laws" which means that UK gaming operators will not be able to accept credit card deposits.

But these measures are not new, UK lawmakers have been working to ban credit card transactions related to the game since 2017 with the desire to protect and reduce damage to consumers.

But, what about the poker rooms?

As expected, the poker rooms take steps to offer players as many responsible gaming tools as possible (for example, loss limits). And to continue using their products, poker rooms offer a variety of alternative payment methods through the use of electronic wallets or cryptocurrencies.

It is not a measure that can worry us for now, also be positive for players to "play with the money they can spend".

(this is cut and pasted from my reply in the General Poker sub forum)


It’s a farce because it does little to address the root cause.

I grasp the scale of the problem in the UK. Gambling, or rather the rampant and ubiquitous promotion of gambling has dominated British life for decades. Why not begin by curbing all the sports betting opportunities presented on every high street first? In the tiny UK there are 9,000 high street betting shops.

Big business (in this case betting) has been allowed to promote itself into society/sports in a manner that even the US does not tolerate. By way of example the US does not allow the top professional teams to carry commercial sponsorship on team jerseys. However, in the UK (and hence Europe) the Premier League has allowed teams to carry whatever sponsorship they wanted – betting companies, beer companies etc. I remember re-visiting the UK years ago and asking relatives how on earth were Premier League teams allowed to advertise alcohol or betting or fast food? With football being idolized by every kid were these not insidious and dreadful endorsements for kids specifically and society in general?

As of the2019/2020 season half the Premier League teams carry sport betting companies sponsorship logos.

How was this ever allowed? This is attempting to close the barn door after the horse has bolted.

Originally Posted by Shells

Starting in April 2020, UK gaming operators will stop processing credit card payments as part of the Gambling Commission’s push for greater social responsibility.

Safety Takes Precedence as UK Gambling Commission Bans Credit Card Payments

Great article. This means that we will not be able to withdraw with credit card too?

Originally Posted by CadoARAJ

Great article. This means that we will not be able to withdraw with credit card too?

I would think no credit card usage going both ways would be in place. We would have to read the withdrawal provisions to be sure.

Originally Posted by Shells

I would think no credit card usage going both ways would be in place. We would have to read the withdrawal provisions to be sure.

I think somente. It will be dificult in Brazil to make withdraws after april. I am restricted to one card right now.

Originally Posted by DS3

Big business (in this case betting) has been allowed to promote itself into society/sports in a manner that even the US does not tolerate. By way of example the US does not allow the top professional teams to carry commercial sponsorship on team jerseys.
.

Not 100% certain it's the government not allowing this but the companies themselves. But the NFL/NBA (idk about MLB) are partnered with sports betting or casinos.

Some NBA games even have all the sportsbetting information displayed while watching the games. We have some sports segments on ESPN or similar alternatives giving 'expert' picks based on spreads and moneylines.

I definitely agree that people should not use credit to gamble. And, I notice that a few people here have referred to cryptocurrency as a solution(?) That said, where I live we pay for just about everything using a credit card. I haven't written a cheque in decades (literally). I haven't used my debit card in around a decade. I'm not even sure where it is. I keep cash in my wallet just in case, but that "just in case" moment only seems to come when dropping money in a charity box or giving a handout to a panhandler. Ohh, I also use cash at the coin operated car wash, but they have credit card machines now and I wouldn't be surprised to see them transition away from the "coin operated" method of payment.

Other than that, pretty much the only thing I don't use a credit card for is gambling. I can see the day coming in the not too distant future where I would be forced to use a credit card to put money into my gambling account (if I ever needed to add money) simply because there will be no other option.

If the addiction is a problem then this is a good move. Also there is the ability to deposit through the bank account, it is not bad. There is the web banking, which is fast too! Also there are and the electronic wallets which are easy too.

Debit card for internet payment - problem solved. You go to the bank put your 1000$ in your bank account, buy something from the web, deposit in your favorite poker site and after you're on 0$ funds you cant go in - . So if in practice this shows good in order to reduce gambling addiction then I'm fine with that.

Originally Posted by S3mper

Not 100% certain it's the government not allowing this but the companies themselves. But the NFL/NBA (idk about MLB) are partnered with sports betting or casinos.

Some NBA games even have all the sportsbetting information displayed while watching the games. We have some sports segments on ESPN or similar alternatives giving 'expert' picks based on spreads and moneylines.

Yes, sports betting companies are trying to infiltrate the media/sports culture in the US of course (stadia naming etc), but that is a world away from the Yankees or Forty Niners having betting companies emblazoned across their chests more prominent than the team logo/crest itself - and this has been the case for decades.

Originally Posted by DS3

Yes, sports betting companies are trying to infiltrate the media/sports culture in the US of course (stadia naming etc), but that is a world away from the Yankees or Forty Niners having betting companies emblazoned across their chests more prominent than the team logo/crest itself - and this has been the case for decades.

I wasn't saying that it is happening at the same level in the US. I was saying it isn't the "US government not tolerating it" but the organizations not allowing it.

With the exception of the NBA who just started allowing advertisement on teams jerseys. And the WNBA who has been doing it for a few years.

Originally Posted by DS3

Big business (in this case betting) has been allowed to promote itself into society/sports in a manner that even the US does not tolerate. By way of example the US does not allow the top professional teams to carry commercial sponsorship on team jerseys.

Originally Posted by DS3

(this is cut and pasted from my reply in the General Poker sub forum)


It’s a farce because it does little to address the root cause.

I grasp the scale of the problem in the UK. Gambling, or rather the rampant and ubiquitous promotion of gambling has dominated British life for decades. Why not begin by curbing all the sports betting opportunities presented on every high street first? In the tiny UK there are 9,000 high street betting shops.

Big business (in this case betting) has been allowed to promote itself into society/sports in a manner that even the US does not tolerate. By way of example the US does not allow the top professional teams to carry commercial sponsorship on team jerseys. However, in the UK (and hence Europe) the Premier League has allowed teams to carry whatever sponsorship they wanted – betting companies, beer companies etc. I remember re-visiting the UK years ago and asking relatives how on earth were Premier League teams allowed to advertise alcohol or betting or fast food? With football being idolized by every kid were these not insidious and dreadful endorsements for kids specifically and society in general?

As of the2019/2020 season half the Premier League teams carry sport betting companies sponsorship logos.

How was this ever allowed? This is attempting to close the barn door after the horse has bolted.

Yep,there are some good points in this, and you often seem to get betting some shops in poor areas and a huge amount of advertisement is giving to gambling. It is still a very good step though. Why would you ever use a credit card for gambling except for addiction purposes as it is seen as a cash advance so you would get huge fees associated with deposits?

Originally Posted by pjokay

Yep,there are some good points in this, and you often seem to get betting some shops in poor areas and a huge amount of advertisement is giving to gambling. It is still a very good step though. Why would you ever use a credit card for gambling except for addiction purposes as it is seen as a cash advance so you would get huge fees associated with deposits?

Yup 'a huge amount of advertising'.

I did not even mention the after the Premier League, it gets worse with the next division (Championship) where 17 of 24 teams sport betting company logos. Ditto Rugby teams.

As for betting shops, people should know the UK only has 2 cities with a population over a million, London and Birmingham. Only 6 cities pass 500,000. So that means the 9,000 betting shops are to be found in every high street of even the smallest of towns across the entire UK.

I'll welcome any measure and the banning of credit cards is a step, but a relatively insignificant one. If the government was sincere it could make a start by trying to ban betting companies sponsorship of sports.

But that is very unlikely to happen as too many are feeding at the trough. The Premier League is receiving 350 million pounds (nearing half a billion in US$) in sponsorship alone (disregarding the Championship or Rugby Clubs) etc. and this does not even touch on the ubiquitous general advertising conducted through print and TV etc.

It's a farce.

I think its a good thing i learn the news just now. Its gonna being avoid disaster on families.

It all sounds reasonable enough but to me its the old story of just been seen to be "doing the right thing".
With lot of UK bookmakers if you use a credit card to fund any gambling then any winning had to be paid back to the credit card first (great policy).

So why not just have a -

• £50 max withdraw
• Any winning to pay back amount withdrawn on the credit card first.

Fruit Machines are a main root of gambling evil and need banning.

Ya this seems fine to me as I am sure a lot of problem gamblers tend to gamble on credit. In places other than the USA you have more options to deposit so losing the credit card option isn't the end of the world

Thankful for BITCOIN

Players will still be able to fund their accounts via other payment methods , in which the use of a credit card is not prohibited , that's good . As for the withdrawals , I always use my bank account and so do many others , so I guess there won't be any problems .

I am sorry, but this is just really stupid. Credit cards are used for everything today including online purchases, so why on earth should I not be able to use my credit card for depositing money on a poker site?

Please governments of the world, let your adult citizens be responsible for their own life, and concentrate on things, that actually matter. Also as far as I know, you can pay with a credit card when using Paypal, so what difference does this even make?

fundiver199-

Agreed. I wanted to pose the UK has endured decades of an unfettered, saturated gambling culture to underline this was somewhat farcical bandaid (in terms of addressing the true problem), I did not want to even touch on the idea of people making adult choices.

However, a basic level of understanding regarding of economics and personal credit card debt in the UK exposes a few things and gambling is a relatively insignificant issue in terms of such overall debt.

The average UK household’s credit card debt has soared around 200% since the financial crisis of 2008. The reason for this doubling is simple and acknowledged. It has been due to austerity measures (first implemented by government) which then encouraged employers to cap wages leading to complete wage stagnation for the last decade.

The explosive growth in credit card debt has been driven by working and middle class people having to put more and more of their weekly and monthly living expenses onto credit cards to get by. Add to that unexpected expenses such as car or house maintenance issues which arise and you have a significant amount of the population in financial distress.

So you have two key issues, the first being a ubiquitous gambling industry/culture, the second growing financial insecurity from a specific root cause neither of which are being addressed in a meaningful way.

A very good idea, a person can nakudit. And then bite your elbows.

Originally Posted by fundiver199

I am sorry, but this is just really stupid. Credit cards are used for everything today including online purchases, so why on earth should I not be able to use my credit card for depositing money on a poker site?

Please governments of the world, let your adult citizens be responsible for their own life, and concentrate on things, that actually matter. Also as far as I know, you can pay with a credit card when using Paypal, so what difference does this even make?

Unlike US in Europe a credit card is called a debit card.
To use a debit card you need to pay the money first.
A credit card allows one to borrow the money from the bank, hence the name 'credit.
'

Originally Posted by darthjewel

Unlike US in Europe a credit card is called a debit card.
To use a debit card you need to pay the money first.
A credit card allows one to borrow the money from the bank, hence the name 'credit.
'

Credit cards and debit cards are separate entities in Europe as they are in the US.

The use of credit cards varies from country to country but the use is pan-European. There are distinct differences in usage due to culture. By example, in France people use carte bancaire (a debit system) rather then face interest payments. However, the French still spend billions per annum via credit cards.

Obviously you can use Visa, Mastercard or Am Ex across Europe because tens of millions possess them.

I support this decision. Many people who are addicted to gambling are not able to report and control their actions during the game. They are better off playing with money that belongs to them and using debit cards.

Originally Posted by Munchen

I support this decision. Many people who are addicted to gambling are not able to report and control their actions during the game. They are better off playing with money that belongs to them and using debit cards.

First off what allow you to decide, what your fellow citizens should do, as long as it does not harm you? Are you their mother or father, or what gives you the right to be the moral judge over, how other people spend their money? And second what difference does it make, if these people still have a credit card? Dont you think, they will then just use the credit card to pay their groceries and use bank transfer or whatever for gambling, so that the end result is exactly the same? I am sorry to be rude, but this is just completely stupid!

Originally Posted by fundiver199

First off what allow you to decide, what your fellow citizens should do, as long as it does not harm you? Are you their mother or father, or what gives you the right to be the moral judge over, how other people spend their money? And second what difference does it make, if these people still have a credit card? Dont you think, they will then just use the credit card to pay their groceries and use bank transfer or whatever for gambling, so that the end result is exactly the same? I am sorry to be rude, but this is just completely stupid!

You have nothing to apologize for, we just express our opinion. I understand that this ban is uncomfortable for other people, but you can still use paypal, neteller. I believe that people dependent on gambling who are in a state of tilt should use the money that belongs to them, and not borrow it at a time when they cannot control themselves. When they buy groceries they are aware of their actions and cannot lose all their money and the money borrowed from the bank.

Great idea. Poker just makes the rich, ie is the Casinos richer.
A debit card is the correct way to go. Out of control gambling affects many more people than just the individual concerned. Whole families are ruined.

That's why we have Crypto currency!

Originally Posted by Shells

Starting in April 2020, UK gaming operators will stop processing credit card payments as part of the Gambling Commission’s push for greater social responsibility.

Safety Takes Precedence as UK Gambling Commission Bans Credit Card Payments

A reasonable decision by the authorities, which will protect many people from stupid actions and further problems.

The way I see it, if people want to gamble and or have a gambling habit, they will find a way to get money to support the habit. If there is an addicted gambler involved, the discontinued use of credit cards is hardly going to deter any single person from gambling. If the Gambling Commission wants to make an impact, credit card use is not going to be enough (although it is a start) however, as an observer I can think of so many other ways to potentially slow down gamblers which may work or help to combat some of the problems. There have to be kickbacks to someone whether it is on the commission or in the government when it comes to all the advertising, the loot boxes, betting shops (which seems there must be a betting shop on every other corner - may be an exaggeration but there are a lot) and god knows what else there is.

Here's a little something I read recently that some might find interesting - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49731701

Originally Posted by pjokay

Think this is a very good thing. People shouldn't play with money they do not have and these kind of players must be desperate with the extra fees involved. I think this is quite a responsible move.

Players should not play for the last money. I also think this is the right decision

Are there prepaid credit cards sold in the UK at convenience stores? Would this regulation also include those cards?

Originally Posted by yeahokaywtv

Are there prepaid credit cards sold in the UK at convenience stores? Would this regulation also include those cards?

You can get prepaid cards in UK yes, but if your going to do that you may as well just use your Debit cards as they will still be permitted.

Shells-

In the UK there literally are betting shops in the high street of every town. On-line betting is now ubiquitous (naturally) and as I have been at pains to points out sports teams carry betting companies sponsorship more than any other entities.

My family is from a lovely part of the country where three separate towns on a bay are classified as a borough . The total population is approximately 135,000. The largest town of 65,000 has three betting shops. the second largest, 49,000, has three betting shops and the smallest, 17,500, has 2 betting shops.

Adjacent towns, just a couple of miles outside of the borough, of 5,500 and 8,000 population have 2 betting shops also. This applies across the UK, period. I think it is difficult for those outside of the UK (particularly the Americas and Asia) to grasp how embedded gambling culture is in the UK- how it has been allowed and encouraged for decades.

However, the tragedy has been that the Premier League (which for those unaware is the most popular sport shown around the world, live, on weekly basis) accepted the sponsorship of betting companies (sponsorship deals were first allowed by the Football Association in the late 1970's). Along with the betting shops in more recent decades has been the growth of Pay Day loan companies - obviously all profiting from those who are financially insecure.

I completely agree with you that those with a gambling addiction will find ways to fuel it regardless.

Originally Posted by DS3

Shells-

In the UK there literally are betting shops in the high street of every town. On-line betting is now ubiquitous (naturally) and as I have been at pains to points out sports teams carry betting companies sponsorship more than any other entities.

My family is from a lovely part of the country where three separate towns on a bay are classified as a borough . The total population is approximately 135,000. The largest town of 65,000 has three betting shops. the second largest, 49,000, has three betting shops and the smallest, 17,500, has 2 betting shops.

Adjacent towns, just a couple of miles outside of the borough, of 5,500 and 8,000 population have 2 betting shops also. This applies across the UK, period. I think it is difficult for those outside of the UK (particularly the Americas and Asia) to grasp how embedded gambling culture is in the UK- how it has been allowed and encouraged for decades.

However, the tragedy has been that the Premier League (which for those unaware is the most popular sport shown around the world, live, on weekly basis) accepted the sponsorship of betting companies (sponsorship deals were first allowed by the Football Association in the late 1970's). Along with the betting shops in more recent decades has been the growth of Pay Day loan companies - obviously all profiting from those who are financially insecure.

I completely agree with you that those with a gambling addiction will find ways to fuel it regardless.

I had no idea betting shops held a strong presence in the UK. Really? 2 betting shops for a community of 5500 people? And yes, if the UKGC was really serious to combat the problem, then the gambling shops/sites sponsoring the most-watched sport in the world would not be allowed by law. It sounds pretty simple to me. So, why doesn't this happen? Government officials have to be supporting this venture in order for it to be acceptable, right?!

The elimination of credit cards used for sports betting and gambling is not a bad thing, though. Time will tell what will happen next if anything.