GAMBLING affordability checks will fuel illegal betting, it is feared.
More than half of people in a survey say plans to restrict problem gambling could have the opposite effect.
Government proposals include monitoring how much punters are losing — with £125 a month a possible “red line”.
Annual spot checks on bank accounts would apply to anyone who lost £500 in a year.
Any punter that lost £1,000 in a day would be signed up to the checks every six months.
A survey by YouGov for the Gamblers Consumer Forum found 53 per cent believe there is a risk affordability checks will see an increase in black market activity.
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Just over two thirds say technology can be used to “guide those struggling with gambling harm towards clinical treatment” instead.
Abbie MacGregor of the GCF said: “The Government simply cannot ignore this polling.
“This is a clear confirmation that an overwhelming majority of the public in the UK support our alternative proposal to affordability checks.”