Gambling clampdown

Watchdogs have announced a clampdown on the £4.5billion online gambling industry amid evidence players are being duped.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched action against “a number” of operators who it suspects have broken the law.

It follows an investigation that found firms were using dubious tactics to sign up players and were “unfairly holding on to people’s money”.

Online casino sites try to entice new punters by offering cash bonuses if they put in their own money too. But the CMA says these come with an array of terms and conditions that are often confusing or unfair.

Customers may have to play “hundreds of times” before they’re allowed to withdraw any winnings.

Nisha Arora, CMA senior director for consumer enforcement, said: “We know online gambling is always going to be risky, but firms must also play fair.”