How the Credit Card Ban Is Changing Gambling Behavior in Britain

Impact on Low-Harm Gamblers

The NatCen report reveals that the credit card ban has had the most noticeable effect on individuals experiencing low levels of, or no reported, gambling harm.

These individuals were less likely to use credit cards for gambling post-ban.

The report states, “The ban seemed to have a more noticeable impact on those experiencing a low level of, or no reported problems from gambling, who were less likely to (directly and indirectly) use credit cards for gambling after the ban.”

This finding suggests that the ban effectively deterred casual or low-risk gamblers from engaging in potentially harmful financial behavior.

Stable Usage Among High-Risk Gamblers

Despite the overall decrease in credit card usage among low-harm gamblers, the NatCen report indicates that the proportion of all gamblers using credit cards to borrow money for gambling has remained relatively stable.

Before the ban in March 2020, 6% of gamblers had used a credit card in the last 12 months, compared to 8% in March 2021, post-ban.

This suggests that while the ban disrupted credit card usage among some groups, others may have found alternative methods to continue borrowing for gambling.

Research Methodology and Context

NatCen’s evaluation employed a comprehensive research approach, including a scoping stage, quantitative analysis of survey data, and qualitative interviews with various stakeholders, such as gamblers, those affected by gambling, and industry operators.

The timing of the ban, implemented at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, was also noted as a factor influencing its impact, as operators had to adjust their practices to support customers during a challenging period.

Global Significance and Compliance

The introduction of the credit card ban in Great Britain marked a significant move on the global stage, with the UK becoming one of the first markets to implement such a restriction.

The ban followed an evidence-based approach, recognizing the link between gambling harm and the use of credit cards.

Data from GambleAware, collected between July 2018 and July 2019, indicated that while credit card transactions accounted for only 5.7% of deposits, they were more common among gamblers with significant wins or losses, with 26% of those losing over £5,000 using credit cards.

Awareness and Operator Compliance

The evaluation highlighted the effectiveness of the ban’s implementation, with operators demonstrating compliance and actively informing customers through various channels that credit cards were no longer accepted.

Notably, awareness of the ban was highest among those experiencing severe gambling problems, who were directly informed through emails, texts, and pop-up messages.