Payment Advisory might become Law

Mike Weir, a British MP representing the Scottish National Party in the Angus constituency of Scotland, has requested that a cap on individual wagers of GBP 1,000 per week be placed on gamblers and has also suggested that they be limited to the use of one credit card per site. Weir is just one of several parliamentarians who rationalize that such involvement by the government can be justified on the grounds of results that have returned from a recent survey. The survey illustrated the popularity of online gambling, the reality TV coverage it generates and the faster pace of online gambling action.

The concern among government officials is that some gamblers may not have sufficient self-control or discipline in a national economic climate where credit is quite simple to obtain. When it comes to imposing commercial controls, credit card companies have not been particularly active. Therefore, the fear is that excessive debt could be run up by fans.

Recent surveys have shown that up to 4 million UK residents now play online, every month, and the predictions are that this will grow by 22 percent in 2007, thanks in large to the increased focus on the European market following the American gaming financial bans. Until now, general industry reaction has been against the idea of government-induced restrictions and maximums of this nature, claiming that problem gamblers constitute a small minority that is better addressed by anti-addictive and underage measures. Additionally, it could be argued that better organization and control, as well as smart card technology by the banking institutions could have a positive impact as well.