Britain’s home office launched an investigation into the reports that some asylum seekers use payment cards, which are designated for basic supplies, for gambling.
Request freedom of information by PolitismSHOME More than 6,500 gambling transactions have been revealed by asylum seekers using ASPEN cards over the past 12 months.
These cards, provided by the home office, are designed to allow asylum seekers who are waiting for their decisions regarding their status to purchase necessities such as food and hygiene products, with small weekly organs.
Receits initially receive 9.95 pounds ($ 13.40) per week on their ASPEN card while they are in hotels that were fully provided to 49.18 pounds ($ 66.21) when they move to self -accommodation.
However, some have used chips and players to gambling in physical places such as casinos, gambling machine and retail dealers in the lottery.
Trying gambling transactions was banned online, while some cash withdrawals were performed near gambling sites, and they were identified through peripheral identification numbers.
FOI data that PoliticsHome highlighted a high point from 227 gambling attempts in one week last November, with 40 attempts in a week last July.
About 80,000 asylum seekers are currently using ASPEN cards, which are supposed to have controls and limits using use.
“This madness must end,” says Tory MP.
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry told Readwrite that he “began an investigation into the use of ASPEN cards.”
“The Ministry of Interior has a legal commitment to support asylum seekers, including any of the dependents, who will be executed.”
The Minister of the Conservative Party, Chris Philip, expressed his rejection of this use of taxpayers’ money, saying: “This madness must end.”
This work government allows illegal immigrants to gambling to use the taxpayer money that is difficult. This madness should end. pic.twitter.com/cnszwylvyx
– Chris Philip MP (@mphilpofficial) July 24, 2025
It is understood that the measures will be taken by the Ministry of Interior to ensure that the material gambling cannot be able to do with the future ASPEN cards in the future.
UK government, in cooperation with the Treasury, has She also conducted 2025 National Risk Evaluation Money laundering and terrorist financing.
in Report 163 pagesSome things have been found in regard to how legal practices appear a hot point for money laundering, as well as raising the level of risk from low to medium in the casino and gambling sector.
Credit image: Ukhomeoffice/x
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