Gosden slams Gambling Commission over financial risk assessments

Champion racehorse trainer John Gosden has criticised the UK Gambling Commission’s financial risk assessment proposals, arguing they will push bettors towards unregulated gambling markets and harm British racing.

Speaking about the measures on Racing TV,, Gosden described the policy as “the most ridiculous” he had seen and said the government had allowed a regulator with little understanding of racing or gambling to shape rules affecting the sector.

“We’ve got a wonderful industry. It’s a great industry, the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry, whether it’s flat or jumps,” Gosden said.

“The government seem to pay no attention. They’ve let a quango, the Gambling Commission, set the rules and run it through without a parliamentary debate.”

The Gambling Commission’s proposals for financial risk assessments have become a flashpoint between racing and policymakers, with industry leaders arguing that tighter checks on bettors could reduce betting turnover and, in turn, income flowing into the sport.

Gosden said the measures could have unintended consequences by encouraging some gamblers to seek alternatives outside the regulated market.

“They’ve made this bizarre rule which will create criminality, which will cause someone wanting to have a bet to go to the black market,” he said.

“And if someone wants to have a bet, you’re not going to stop them, they’ll just go to the black market, which is terrible for the industry, terrible for the government, no return, but also no protection for the person having a bet.”

He also criticised the regulator’s leadership and expertise, claiming its decision-makers lacked experience in racing or gambling.

“Their qualification is to have absolutely no experience of our industry or the gambling industry,” Gosden said.

The Gambling Commission has said financial risk assessments are intended to identify signs of financial vulnerability and strengthen consumer protections while minimising friction for the vast majority of customers.

The introduction of the checks this year will see those who spend over £1,000 online in a 24-hour window or over £3,000 in a rolling 90-day period, be subject to assessments based on data held by credit reference agencies.