Arabic version: لوائح جديدة للمقامرة تقدم تقييمات مالية للمنفقين بكثرة
Gamblers who spend more than £1,000 online in a 24-hour window will have to undergo a financial risk assessment, according to BBC News. The Gambling Commission has announced that this requirement will also extend to individuals spending over £3,000 in a rolling 90-day period, with lower thresholds set for those under 25.
The assessments will utilize data from credit reference agencies but are not classified as affordability checks. Gambling companies have expressed dissatisfaction with the new measures, arguing that they could drive customers toward illegal gambling markets. The commission has not set a timeline for the changes, stating they will be introduced in a “very careful, staged way.”
Initially, the checks will apply to over-25s who gamble more than £5,000 in a rolling 24-hour period and will be rolled out first among the largest gambling firms. The first stage is expected to affect less than 0.5% of customers this summer, following engagement with the industry and other stakeholders. Eventually, the thresholds will be lowered to £1,000 in 24 hours and £750 for those under 25.
The Gambling Commission noted that high-spending gamblers are significantly more likely to face financial difficulties, with statistics indicating they are two to four times more likely to have a debt management plan compared to the general population. Acting chief executive Sarah Gardner emphasized that the majority of gamblers would never require an assessment, which would be conducted without affecting their credit scores.
However, concerns remain regarding the potential for increased regulation to push vulnerable gamblers into unregulated markets. Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross highlighted the necessity for the assessments to benefit consumers, operators, and the broader gambling ecosystem. The Betting and Gaming Council has voiced disappointment, stating that unresolved issues around the reliability and practical implementation of these checks persist.
