Gambling Commission chief executive Andrew Rhodes has dismissed accusations that the industry regulator is pressuring bookmakers to impose intrusive affordability checks on bettors as “nonsense”.

Despite extensive evidence of ordinary punters being asked to provide personal financial information in order to continue betting, Rhodes said the commission did not require operators to make such requests. Rhodes also said the reduction in betting on horseracing being claimed by the sport could not be pinned on affordability checks.

Affordability checks are expected to feature in some form among the proposals contained in the government’s long-delayed gambling review white paper. However, the Racing Post has received hundreds of complaints from punters who have already been asked for financial information such as bank statements and tax returns in order to prove they can afford their level of gambling spend.