The Gambling Commission announced plans to roll out Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) in a phased approach targeting customers who display problematic spending habits. Players who deposit over £5,000 in a 24-hour period will be flagged, initiating credit checks; currently, only 0.5% of UK customers exceed this amount.
Initially, the first phase will focus on major operators and those customers with the most extreme spending behaviors. For younger demographics and identified high-risk groups, the threshold will be lowered to £2,500 within the same period.
Once the system is fully operational, the threshold for triggering FRAs for players aged 25 and above will drop to £1,000 within a 24-hour window or £3,000 over a rolling 90-day timeframe. For players under 25, the limits will be set at £750 in 24 hours or £2,000 across 90 days. This adjustment replaces the original proposal from the 2023 white paper, which suggested a £2,000 threshold over 90 days.
The commission plans to finalize the stage one timetable after consultations with stakeholders and industry participants. Implementation groups will convene during the summer to refine the assessment criteria and create relevant guidance.
Following extensive industry feedback, the regulator insisted that these checks would be conducted with minimal disruption and would not impact customers’ credit ratings. Results from a pilot program conducted between August 2025 and early 2023 found that 97% of customers exceeding spend thresholds could be assessed using Credit Reference Agency data, a number that exceeded earlier estimates of 80%.
During the pilot phase, additional checks were activated when a player’s net monthly deposit reached £500, with the second phase commencing in February 2025, lowering this threshold to £150. A grace period is to be implemented, providing operators some leeway if they fail to act following an FRA.
The basis for these assessments stems from evidence indicating that high-spending customers are significantly more likely to experience financial challenges. Such customers are reportedly two to four times more likely to have formal debt management plans and two to five times more likely to face credit defaults within the past year when compared to the general population.
The commission estimates that less than 3% of all accounts will require assessment upon full implementation, and fewer than one in 1,000 accounts will necessitate further verification methods, such as identity checks or open banking information.
In response to the commission's announcement, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) expressed its disappointment, criticizing the decision to proceed despite the substantial concerns highlighted by industry stakeholders over the past 18 months. BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst highlighted inconsistencies in data returned by credit agencies, noting that customers might be misclassified as financially vulnerable due to unproven systems. She stated that the lack of a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot makes it difficult for the industry and the public to see the rationale behind these checks.
The proposed FRAs have generated significant debate since their inclusion in the 2023 white paper. A number of cross-party MPs sent an open letter in May to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, requesting the abandonment of the initiative—indicating concerns about its impact on the horseracing sector and established betting practices.
Tim Miller, the Gambling Commission’s executive director, discussed the criticisms faced regarding both perceived delays and a lack of urgency, stating, "We’ve taken our time deliberately. Regulatory peers around the world are very keen to see what we do on this."
Sarah Gardner, interim chief executive of the Gambling Commission, stated that the cautious implementation of FRAs aims to provide support to high-spending customers in distress while minimizing disruption for those who are financially stable by eliminating unnecessary checks. Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross welcomed the careful and phased implementation of the FRAs, emphasizing the importance of ensuring their successful rollout.
