The Gambling Commission announced plans to roll out Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) for customers demonstrating unusual spending patterns. This initiative targets players whose net deposits exceed £5,000 in a rolling 24-hour period, a threshold only crossed by 0.5% of UK customers.
The phased implementation will first focus on the largest operators and customers with the most significant spending behaviors. For younger customers and other high-risk groups, the initial threshold is lowered to £2,500 within any 24-hour period.
Once fully operational, FRAs will be activated for players aged 25 and over whose net deposits surpass £1,000 in one day or £3,000 over a rolling 90-day span. For those under 25, the limits are set at £750 for a single day and £2,000 within 90 days.
This approach marks a shift from the £2,000 loss limit proposed in the 2023 white paper. The Gambling Commission intends to finalize the initial rollout schedule after consulting with industry stakeholders this summer. Implementation groups will refine assessment criteria and provide guidance.
Responding to industry concerns about the potential impact on player experience, the regulator emphasized that the assessments would remain "frictionless" and would not affect customers' credit scores.
A pilot conducted from August 2025 through early 2023 indicated that 97% of customers who exceeded specified spend limits could be evaluated through credit reference agency data, surpassing initial estimates. This pilot also introduced additional checks when a player's net monthly deposit reached £500. A second phase, starting in February 2025, will adjust this to a threshold of £150 or more.
To ease the transition, a grace period will be observed, ensuring that operators will not face punitive actions during the initial FRA rollout if they do not act on the findings immediately.
Studies show that high-spending customers are at a significantly increased risk of financial hardship, being two to four times more likely to have a debt management plan and two to five times more likely to have experienced a credit default in the past year. Full implementation is estimated to affect less than 3% of accounts, with fewer than one in 1,000 requiring verification through additional identity checks or open banking data.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) expressed strong disappointment at the Commission's decision to proceed, highlighting concerns raised over the past 18 months. Grainne Hurst, the BGC’s chief executive, noted inconsistencies in data from credit agencies that could lead to misidentification of customers’ financial statuses. She called for fuller evaluation of the pilot data before such measures are formally introduced.
This proposal has drawn significant attention since its mention in the 2023 white paper. In May, a group of cross-party MPs also urged Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to reconsider the initiative, fearing it would disrupt the relationship between racing and betting at a time when the horseracing industry is already facing challenges.
Tim Miller, executive director of the Gambling Commission, addressed criticism regarding the pace of the policy, stating they aimed not to rush the process.
Sarah Gardner, acting chief executive of the Gambling Commission, described the approach to FRAs as cautious yet assured. She expressed confidence that utilizing quality data would help identify customers in financial distress while minimizing unnecessary checks for those not experiencing difficulties.
Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross endorsed the phased implementation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring it is carried out successfully.
