The Gambling Commission isn't protecting punters, it's just providing them with an even greater test of discipline
Strict deposit limits are ineffective and may actually encourage problem gamblers to hoard winnings rather than withdraw them.Summary
Clumsy gambling regulation often leads to unintended consequences. While much attention focuses on the black market, the pitfalls of affordability checks with licensed operators are equally perilous for punters. Stringent deposit limits are described as a myth regarding protection, as they are ineffective without a unified cap across all bookmakers. A problem gambler can easily move to another operator once they hit a limit with one. Furthermore, these inflexible limits discourage withdrawals. A punter who has reached their net deposit limit but has a winning forecast may choose to leave the excess funds in their account to avoid the friction of depositing more money. This encourages hoarding winnings and increases temptation, ultimately testing the discipline of punters rather than protecting them.
(Source：Racing Post)