UK Gambling Commission Concerned About Cashback Sites

In light of their pending gambling reform, the UK government may add one more item to their list of considerations. Cashback sites have stakeholders up in arms and three of the major reward programs face accusations of enabling compulsive wagering.

Quidco, Topcashback, and Ohmydosh focus too much on gambling according to UK government officials and British press, which may see this type of reward program come under heavy scrutiny from lawmakers. Although these types of sites and the mentioned trio offer legal rewards to consumers, recent reports of substantial payouts triggered a hot debate about how ethical they are.

The three sites promote over 60 gambling websites and offer cash rewards to players for gambling on casino games, bingo sites, and sportsbooks.

 Thank You for Gambling

The practice of cashback rewards is not a new thing and consumers who use online shopping regularly can receive exciting rewards for accessing deals through links in cashback portals. Cashback sites link consumers to online shops and receive a commission in return, which they share with shoppers. These sites fall into the affiliate category that the UKGC recently zoned in on.

Quidco, Topcashback, and Ohmydosh are under a microscope because they lean heavily on promoting gambling deals. Media reports claim that Topcashback awarded a concerning £30,000 in cashback payouts to consumers accessing a specific gambling platform over the course of 30 days. Patrons who wager at least £10 with Bonus Kings receive a £55 cashback when they sign up through Topcashback.

Consumers who access Coral Casino for the first time through Quidco’s links receive a £40 thank you for gambling at least £10 with the online operator. Ohmydosh clearly favours the category, with nearly 35% of their higher earner deals rewarding consumers who gamble or play bingo online.

 Lawmakers Notice Cashback Trends

Key stakeholders took notice of the cashback trends within the gambling industry, and this will inadvertently cause an in-depth consideration from the government. This comes at the exact time that British gambling laws face reform and, as such, we can only expect that the cashback restrictions will be part of new protocols.

Possibly the most important contributor in the matter is Alex Davies-Jones, who currently holds the position of Shadow Minister for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport in the UK. The MP took a stance against any business luring consumers to gambling sites and she has a direct link to the UK Gambling Commission. The Member of Parliament said:

“Websites that lure consumers in with supposedly lucrative cashback offers, incentivise further gameplay and are an increasingly worrying trend. We are in a cost-of-living crisis, with many people across the UK worrying about their earnings and the rising energy prices.”

Sue Anderson, from the debt charity company StepChange, commented on the incentive programs and labelled it as the exploitation of vulnerable gamblers. Anderson affirms that these types of rewards may fuel compulsive gambling and enable addiction.

 A Penny for Their Thoughts

The three cashback sites in question all seem to have varying opinions on the matter, as Topcashback is the only one who committed to reviewing their processes. With a vow to review their gambling offers, the site may turn a page. Quidco and Ohmydosh were not as open to adjusting their approach with Quidco pushing accountability onto the players while for Ohmydosh, mum’s the word.