ONLINE punters will not be subject to affordability checks, according to Minister James Browne.

Affordability or financial risk checks are a hot topic in Britain, with virtually all betting companies coming under pressure from the Gambling Commision to ensure that their customers are betting within their means. Checks are sometimes activated when a customer loses £100 in a month.

This has prompted an outcry from thousands of punters who have been asked by betting companies to supply details of their earnings and bank statements.

If punters refuse to comply, their accounts are typically restricted or frozen. This, in turn, affects British racing’s revenue streams.

Last month a petition to stop affordability checks being implemented garnered over 100,000 signatures in Britain.

In theory this should ensure the matter is raised in the House of Commons but it has yet to be scheduled.

In Ireland, the proposed Gambling Regulation Bill will restrict bookmakers’ ability to advertise and make certain offers to customers, but there are no plans to introduce affordability checks here.

James Browne, the Minister responsible for introducing the bill, told The Irish Sun: “The UK have brought in income assessments or affordability checks.

“My understanding is, anecdotally, that it is having a massive impact on horseracing in the United Kingdom in terms of people participating.

“We’re not doing that here because I think - and others agree – that affordability checks are quite personally invasive in the people who are gambling. I don’t think that is an appropriate way to go.”