A new report by The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has evaluated the impact and effectiveness of the ban on credit card use for gambling in Great Britain. Introduced in April 2020, the ban was the first of its kind globally and aimed to reduce gambling-related harms by preventing people from using borrowed money to place bets. This comprehensive evaluation offers insight into how the ban was implemented and its effects on gambling behaviours.
The ban prohibits licensed gambling operators from accepting payments via credit card, both online and offline, excluding non-remote lotteries. It was introduced to add an extra layer of protection for people at risk of gambling-related financial issues by introducing ‘friction’ into the process of gambling with borrowed funds.
Key Findings of the Report
The NatCen evaluation assessed whether the ban achieved its intended outcomes, particularly for those at higher risk of gambling-related harm. It used a mix of qualitative interviews and quantitative data, including input from people who gamble, their friends and family, and various stakeholders in the gambling sector.
The study revealed that while the ban was largely successful in its implementation, communications surrounding it failed to reach all people who gamble. Those who were already experiencing significant gambling problems were the most likely to be aware of the ban.
Despite the introduction of the credit card ban, the evaluation found that it did not always result in changed gambling patterns. Many people continued to gamble, but there were notable differences in behaviour between groups. For example, individuals experiencing low levels of gambling-related issues were more likely to reduce their use of credit cards and borrowed money for gambling after the ban came into force. In contrast, those with moderate to high levels of gambling problems showed less change in their behaviours.
Impact on Gambling-Related Financial Harm
The report also explored the financial consequences of the ban, with many people affected by gambling-related harm perceiving the ban as a positive change. However, the study found that most individuals continued to avoid illegal forms of borrowing, such as loans from unregulated lenders, after the ban was implemented.
One significant challenge noted in the evaluation was the overlap between the introduction of the ban and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic’s effect on gambling habits, such as the rise in online gambling during lockdowns, made it difficult to isolate the impact of the credit card ban itself.
Future Policy Considerations
Sokratis Dinos, Director of Health Policy at NatCen, emphasised the importance of understanding the effectiveness of gambling harm prevention initiatives. “In this report, we have highlighted the successes of the credit card ban, the confounding timing of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the work that remains to be done,” he said.
Tim Miller, Executive Director of Research and Policy at the Gambling Commission, welcomed the report’s findings and confirmed that the commission will review its recommendations carefully. He added that the increased friction introduced by the credit card ban had been a positive change, and the evaluation would inform future policy decisions.
The evaluation was conducted as part of a broader programme to enhance the review of gambling harm prevention measures, with oversight provided by Greo’s evaluation team
