Many UK gamblers used to fund their online gambling bankrolls with credit cards, turning their gambling sessions into incredible debt. To completely eliminate this issue, the UKGC introduced an amendment to the 2005 Gambling Act in 2020 that banned the use of credit cards in online casinos altogether.

We’ll look at the reasons behind the decision, key statistics on problem gambling, and the safety measures implemented to protect consumers. By the end of our article, you’ll have a clear picture of the landscape of credit card gambling in the UK and what alternative methods are available.

• Why Were Credit Cards Banned in the UK Gambling Industry?
• Statistics on Credit Card Gambling in the UK
• What Are the Alternatives to Credit Card Gambling?
• 22% Of problem gamblers use credit
• Global Comparison: Where Can You Gamble with a Credit Card?
• Which Types of Gambling Sites Does the Ban Apply To?
• New UK Gambling Laws in 2022
• Additional Safety Measures that Online Casinos Can Impose
• Are There Gambling Sites That Still Accept Credit Cards?
• The Problem with Credit Card Gambling

Why Were Credit Cards Banned in the UK Gambling Industry?

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) banned the use of credit cards in gambling to protect players from spiralling debts and worsening gambling addiction. Credit cards allow players to borrow money, leading to substantial financial risk, especially for problem gamblers.

Official Findings

• 24 million adults in the UK are engaged in gambling, with 10 million gambling online.
• Research showed that 22% of online players who used credit cards were categorized as problem gamblers.
• An estimated 800,000 consumers used credit cards to gamble.

Thus, the UKGC enacted the ban to protect players from borrowing money and using it to gamble.

Additional safety measures you can take

If you’re gambling at a newly launched UK casino, double-check the platform’s reliability via the UKGC licensee register and third-party auditors. This also applies to mobile casino sites.

Why isn’t credit card gambling UK allowed?

The low number of credit card gambling sites UK is determined by the major impact credits can have on a player’s health.

As such:

• Credit can cause gambling harm by allowing you to spend more than you have;
• 22% of problem gamblers use credits to gamble;
• High credit card borrowing rates can increase the problem;
• By banning credits, the UKGC ensures you are exposed to fewer potential gambling harms, like debt.

Players have been putting themselves in danger for a rather long time to be able to enjoy casino games, and this has had a wide-scale impact on their well-being.

What’s the use of banning credit cards?

Without the enforcement of stern measures like the credit card ban, the UK gambling industry would have generated tremendously harmful consequences in the long term.

Statistics on Credit Card Gambling in the UK

The numbers demonstrate the extent of credit card usage and its impact on problem gambling, supporting the UKGC’s decision to ban this payment method.

Credit gambling UK users

The UK is home to 24 million gamblers: it’s a robust market full of numerous land-based and online casinos, and one of the leading gambling jurisdictions globally.

Out of all the players:

• More than 10.5 million gamblers choose to play at UK-licensed online casinos, especially via UK casino apps;
• 800.000 – 1.000.000 have so far used credit to fund their accounts;
• The UKGC acknowledged that numerous players appealed to credit gambling UK when participating in betting activities. For more than 150.000 – 220.000 gamblers (22%), credit cards served as a source of additional money to gamble.

What Are the Alternatives to Credit Card Gambling?

You still have various safe payment methods available in the UK, including:

• Debit Cards
• E-wallets (e.g., PayPal, Neteller)
• Prepaid Cards
• Bank Transfers

These methods help limit the risks associated with borrowing money to gamble.

22% Of problem gamblers use credit

In the face of such evidence that credit card gambling allowed problem gamblers to access additional funds, the UKGC’s Chief Executive announced that:

• Major financial harm can be done by allowing credit card gambling;
• The interdiction is meant to minimize the consumers’ harm risks;
• Besides involving significant debts, credit card gambling can be worsened by the fees charged when using credit cards.

There are now no gambling sites that accept such cards in the UK due to this enforced rule.

Why were credit cards banned UK?

Problem gambling is a grave issue in the UK: the latest figures show that 0.4% of the adult population in the United Kingdom has a gambling problem.

22% of problem gamblers used credits to gamble.

This essentially means using money you do not have and borrowing it at high-interest rates in hope of winning to be able to pay it off.

A typical example of the circular nature of problem gambling

• In many cases, players didn’t win, which led to the accumulation of debt;
• This encouraged excessive gambling in an attempt to solve the debt.

By eliminating credit gambling UK, the ability to gamble easily using credit is removed and, therefore, the risk and harm to players. As the percentage of credit gambling UK by problem gamblers was high, a complete ban was considered appropriate for safeguarding everyone involved.

Global Comparison: Where Can You Gamble with a Credit Card?

In comparison, other countries like Canada and Australia still allow credit card gambling, though regulations may differ.

Which Types of Gambling Sites Does the Ban Apply To?

According to the UKGC, the credit ban applies to all UK gambling businesses, including:

• Online betting, casino and bingo sites;
• Online lotteries and lotteries accepting payments over the telephone;
• High street bookmakers and track bookmakers;
• High street casinos, bingo halls and arcades.

Thus, if you’re wondering whether you can use credit at the casino, the answer is no.

You can’t use it to bet under any circumstances, including land-based casino betting. In short, there are no credit card gambling sites UK, regardless of whether they feature live casino services or not.

New UK Gambling Laws in 2022

The UKGC continues to update regulations to protect consumers. On April 14th, 2022, new rules were announced, focusing on:

• Affordability checks: Ensuring players can afford their losses.
• Monitoring player behavior: Identifying at-risk gamblers.
• Banning marketing targeting vulnerable players.

These changes are designed to further secure safe and responsible gambling environments for UK players.

Additional Safety Measures that Online Casinos Can Impose

• Monitoring indications of gambling harm;
• Flagging signs of harm and taking timely action;
• Implementing an automatic process for strong indicators of harm;
• Prohibiting marketing campaigns and bonuses dedicated to at-risk players;
• Evaluating the operators’ marketing strategies and interactions with consumers at risk;
• Evidence of such evaluations;
• Ensuring that third-party (affiliates) of operators comply.

The UK is also in the midst of a Gambling Review, which will update the 2005 Gambling Act for the modern internet age with sweeping industry reforms.

While the new laws are not yet formulated, the official White Paper detailing the recommendations is in the final stages.

The purpose of the new regulations

The new laws are expected to cover affordability checks for players, potential per-player budgets, and many other areas.

Are There Gambling Sites That Still Accept Credit Cards?

There are now no credit card gambling sites UK. Any licensed, secure gambling site will not offer credit use directly or through e-wallets. Playing on a UK-licensed site is essential, as this is where you’ll find tested games, regulated payouts, and secure real-money service.

The Problem with Credit Card Gambling

• Increased Debt: Credit card use makes it easy to spend money you don’t have, leading to debt accumulation.
• High-Interest Rates: Credit card fees and high interest rates worsen financial situations for gamblers.
• Addiction Risk: Problem gamblers are more likely to use credit cards, leading to a cycle of debt and addiction.

By banning credit cards, the UKGC aims to reduce the financial harm associated with gambling and encourage safer practices among players.