Operators allegedly closed 20,000 accounts in the UK

According to the UK Horseracing Bettors’ Forum estimation, 20,000 British online accounts were closed by operators over the last six months.

UK.- The UK Horseracing Bettors’ Forum (HBF) estimates that operators have closed 20,000 British online accounts over the last six months.

The estimation, which was included in a publication of the results of a survey conducted between 3 April and 30 April, found that over 4,000 accounts were restricted in the previous six-month period and over 1,000 accounts were closed.

The results of the survey were based on the reporting of 878 respondents, 59 percent of which stated that their interest in betting on horseracing had been reduced as a result of account restrictions and closures. This survey, open for horseracing bettors only, reported 1,000 account closures. The 20,000 estimate is based on separate figures obtained by HBF from bookmakers. These numbers led to an estimation that 40,000 accounts are likely to have been restricted in the period and that at least 7,000 individuals may have been affected.

“On the face of it, this is a significant problem, if the appeal of betting on horse racing is possibly being seriously eroded by the trading practices of individual bookmakers,” said Simon Rowlands, HBF’s chair. HBF promised it will publish more findings in due course.