UK Gambling Commission Defends Financial Risk Assessments

The UK Gambling Commission has stepped up its defence of planned Financial Risk Assessments, as debate over affordability checks continues to split regulators, operators and consumer groups. 

Speaking at the Ethical Gambling Forum, Tim Miller, Executive Director of Research and Policy, positioned the proposal as a replacement for inconsistent practices already in use across the sector. “In 2026 it can’t be right that this still leads to some operators asking consumers to share bank statements and other financial documentation,” Miller said. “Such an approach is outdated, inconsistent and disproportionate.”

The checks rely on credit reference data to identify customers showing signs of financial distress. Critics question whether the process can remain frictionless in practice, while industry voices warn that the perception of intrusive checks could deter users from regulated platforms.

Commission rejects affordability check label

Miller refuted claims that the policy introduces spending limits or indirect affordability controls. “The proposed thresholds for an assessment are not limits or caps on customer spend,” he said. “They are not ‘affordability checks’ by a different name – the checks we have been piloting will not even attempt to make an assessment of what each customer can afford to gamble.”

The regulator argues the current system gives operators too much discretion, leading to inconsistent intervention and missed warning signs among high-spending customers.

“Our casework found too many examples over too many years of operators not providing support for high spending customers who may be at financial risk,” Miller said.

The Commission has not confirmed when or how the checks will be implemented. Miller noted that recommendations will be submitted to the board soon, with no fixed outcome yet.

“Our Board will want to be satisfied that there is a strong evidence base for any next steps on financial risk checks and also satisfied that the Government’s public policy approach continues to support such a change,” he said.

Pilot data points to limited impact

According to the regulator, its pilot revealed that fewer than 3% of active accounts would trigger any form of assessment under the current model. Of that group, Miller said 97% would go through without any friction. 

Only 0.1% would face barriers requiring additional steps, compared to the 0.6% projected in the UK government’s 2023 White Paper. “If anything, through the pilot for Financial Risk Assessments, we now have more evidence that makes clear the status quo can’t hold,” Miller said.

The Commission also indicated that those flagged in the pilot were more likely to show indicators of financial stress, including defaults and debt management plans. 

Industry warns of black market risk

Despite the regulator’s position, industry concern remains focused on user behaviour. A survey by YouGov for the Betting and Gaming Council found that 65% of UK bettors would not want to share financial information with gambling companies.

Operators argue that even indirect or background checks could be misunderstood by customers. If users perceive the process as intrusive, they may shift to offshore platforms that offer fewer protections.

At the same time, pressure on the regulated market is increasing. According to the Betting and Gaming Council, advertising spend is projected to approach GBP 1.9bn by autumn 2026, with unlicensed operators expanding visibility while licensed firms reduce activity.

Miller acknowledged the risk of displacement and pointed to enforcement efforts against illegal operators. Over the past year, the Commission issued 741 cease and desist notices, reported 397,527 URLs to search engines and disrupted 1,134 websites.

He maintained that improving protection within the licensed market remains the priority, while enforcement continues in parallel. “We are not shying away from this issue, far from it,” he said.

The Commission views targeted checks as a way to replace intrusive document requests and strengthen customer protection. But industry stakeholders argue the same policy could weaken trust and accelerate the adoption of unlicensed platforms.

The UKGC is implementing a new policy of conducting checks on high-spending customers to determine those at risk. While the Financial Risks Assessment proposal is aimed at improving protection, there are fears that it might discourage players from using licensed operators to avoid scrutiny.