Gamblers Consumer Forum (GCF) was setup in recent times with Andrew Woodman and Abbie MacGregor the main driving forces behind it. It was launched at Sports Bash a few weeks ago. It can be found at www.gamblersconsumerforum.com. The purpose is to help unify and represent the betting punter. To help lead the fightback against policies included in the White Paper such as Affordability Checks. In recent times the punter has been walked all over, not helped by a regulator simply not fit for purpose.
Up until the GCF was launched it had been left to Brian at Justice for Punters (J4P) and the Horse Racing Bettors Forum (HBF) to campaign on behalf of the punter. The work and effort Brian has put in over the years to help punters is so underappreciated it is untrue. J4P used to have access to the Gambling Commission and would meet frequently until 2018. Since then the Gambling Commission won’t even answer emails let alone communicate with them. No explanations. What chance does a normal individual punter have of being heard.
The Horse Racing Bettors Forum had some success initially but it seems that its impact has now waned significantly. A lot of the wins they did have related to improving the horse racing product rather than the wider betting landscape.
The punter is an incredibly isolated figure in all of these discussions. Non existent. It is a huge struggle for an individual to fight against the interests of the big bookmakers. To fight against legislators only interested in lining their own pockets or own self interests. To fight against a media in the pockets of the big bookmakers. To fight against a regulator seemingly unwilling to interact with the people it is supposed to be protecting. A regulator with seemingly little or no accountability. To fight against deep pocketed anti-gambling lobbyists who will only be happy when gambling is banned in it’s entirety. The GCF is trying to unite punters to present a more unified force to get it’s voice heard. To provide educated counter arguments.
I think the overwhelming thing that stands out for me is the lack of expertise and understanding of those driving the White Paper and the regulators. The lack of awareness of what the intended/unintended consequences are to what they are proposing. Hopefully GCF can do that. Hopefully, they can get a seat at the table to help that process. I don’t agree with everything that they are putting out there but it would be strange if I did to be honest. Overall, it is something everyone has to get behind if you enjoy a bet.
I recently met Andrew at Sports Bash and I was left with a very positive impression. He is incredibly determined to fight this cause. Hopefully, his knowledge of Whitehall and connections within, will ensure the voice of the punter is heard. I havent met Abbie but have been impressed when listening to her speak on various podcasts in recent weeks. She is presenting some pretty compelling cases with regard to addiction and how misunderstood it currently is.
I have said it before but it is worth repeating. It astonishes me that the average punter puts certain high profile individuals within sports such as Horse Racing on such a pedestal. These big tv and social media personalities are not in the corner of the average punter. They have an incredible platform where they can raise awareness of groups such as the Gamblers Consumer Forum, the work Brian has done at J4P, highlight the fact that the Gambling Commission is asking for people to comment on its proposals. Nothing from them. Not a peep. They are not interested in helping the average punter. They know where their bread is buttered. What they fail to realise is just what impact the affordability checks, in their current guise, will have on a sport like Horse Racing.
Get behind GCF, be grateful for their efforts and appreciate what they are trying to do for the punter. It maybe successful, it may fail. Appreciate the time and effort people are putting in to try and help the ordinary punter.
ProPunting 