Tim Miller, the executive director of the Gambling Commission, addressed attendees at iGB Live on Wednesday, highlighting issues identified in the regulator's financial risk assessment (FRA) pilot. He stated that this pilot revealed a group of players in arrears that operators’ existing processes are failing to detect. "We want to focus on those," Miller remarked. He pointed out a "disconnect" between the regulator and the gaming industry regarding FRAs, amid notable resistance from the sector about the proposed policy.
Originally described by some operators as "rebranded affordability checks," FRAs were introduced in the Gambling Act review white paper. The Commission began a pilot program in August 2024, involving several tier-one operators. This pilot initiated further scrutiny when a player's net monthly deposit exceeded £500 during the initial light-touch check, with a second phase starting in February 2025, lowering this threshold to £150 or more.
By May 2025, the Gambling Commission reported that 97% of checks in the latter half of the pilot were perceived as "frictionless." However, substantial opposition to the policy led the Commission to postpone its decision on fully implementing the checks in May.
Miller expressed concern that many have "forgotten the purpose of the policy in the white paper," which he stated was focused on high-spending customers showing evidence of financial distress. The insights gained from reference agencies, he explained, have illuminated issues of financial distress without complicating the customer experience. "I think it will do the opposite as long as they are implemented properly," he added.
When pressed for the implementation timeline of FRAs, Miller, who announced his departure from the Gambling Commission this week, indicated he had no clear answer. He noted that the regulator has faced criticism for both the speed and slowness of the policy’s progress. "We’ve taken our time deliberately. Regulatory peers around the world are very keen to see what we do on this," Miller said.
Miller also addressed the challenge posed by the illegal market, criticizing tech companies for not doing enough to curb black market sites and their marketing strategies. He claimed tech giants are "failing British consumers" by their slow actions against these threats. He emphasized the need for those combating the black market to be as well-connected as the criminal networks involved in these operations. Miller highlighted that affiliates and B2B suppliers also play a significant role in the problem, urging operators to conduct thorough due diligence on their supplier and affiliate partners to prevent any ties to the black market. He acknowledged certain operators, including Entain's Simon Zinger, for their impressive efforts in leading the fight against illegal gambling.
