Financial risk checks for gambling to be debated by MPs

• Watch the debate (from 4.30pm, Monday 26 February)
• Read the debate transcript (available shortly after the conclusion of the debate).
• Follow the Committee on X, formerly Twitter, and join the discussion using #PetitionsDebate

Christina Rees MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. MPs from all parties can take part, and the Government will send a minister to respond.

Stop the implementation of betting affordability/financial risk checks

The petition, which has more than 103,000 signatures, states: “We want the Government to abandon the planned implementation of affordability checks for some people who want to place a bet. We believe such checks – which could include assessing whether people are ‘at risk of harm' based on their postcode or job title – are inappropriate and discriminatory.”

In its response to the petition, provided on 16 November 2023, the Government said: “The Government is already supporting technologies to reduce reliance on the use of animals in research and we will continue to review funding for non-animal methods as part of our normal processes.”

In its response to the petition, provided on 16 November 2023, the Government said: “We are committed to a proportionate, frictionless system of financial risk checks, to protect those at risk of harm without over regulating. The Gambling Commission will set out plans in due course”

What are petitions debates?

Petitions debates are 'general' debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.

Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means MPs will not vote on the request of a petition at the end of the debate. Instead, the aim is to give MPs an opportunity to discuss the issues raised by a petition, and get a response from the Government.

Petition debates are scheduled by the Petitions Committee. Only e-petitions started on the Parliament petitions site are considered by the Petitions Committee.

Further information

• Find out more about the role of the Petitions Committee
• Find out more about select committees

Image credit: UK Parliament/Tyler Allicock