The UK's Gambling Commission has announced new measures that will require online gamblers to undergo financial risk assessments if they spend significant amounts of money within a short period. These checks will be triggered for individuals spending more than £1,000 in a 24-hour window or over £3,000 within a rolling 90-day period. Lower thresholds will be applied to gamblers under the age of 25.
The assessments are intended to help operators identify customers who may be at risk of financial harm or experiencing financial difficulties. The commission stated that the checks will utilize data from credit reference agencies, emphasizing that they are not to be considered "affordability checks."
Initially, the new measures will affect a small percentage of customers, starting with those over 25 who gamble more than £5,000 in a 24-hour period. This initial phase will be implemented after engagement with industry companies and stakeholders over the summer. The spending threshold will eventually be lowered to the £1,000 in 24 hours and £3,000 in 90 days. The commission has indicated that the introduction of these changes will be a "very careful, staged way" with no set timeline.
Research conducted in 2023 recommended enhanced scrutiny for customers experiencing very high losses. Data from the Gambling Commission in 2023 revealed that high-spending gamblers are between two and four times more likely to have a debt management plan and between two and five times more likely to have experienced a default in the preceding 12 months compared to the general consumer population.
Sarah Gardner, acting chief executive of the Gambling Commission, assured that the vast majority of customers would not be affected by these assessments. For those who are, the process will be document-free and conducted by credit reference agencies, with no impact on their credit scores. Gardner also noted concerns raised by stakeholders that increased regulation could potentially drive problem gamblers towards illegal black markets.