Tim Miller, executive director of the Gambling Commission, addressed attendees at iGB Live on Wednesday, highlighting findings from the regulator's financial risk assessment (FRA) pilot. He revealed that the pilot identified a group of players in financial arrears that were overlooked by current operator processes. "We want to focus on those," Miller emphasized, noting a significant "disconnect" between the regulator and the industry concerning FRAs, especially after the sector expressed considerable resistance to the potential policy.
Originally referred to as "rebranded affordability checks" by some within the industry, FRAs were introduced in the Gambling Act review white paper. The Commission launched a pilot scheme in August 2024, involving several tier one operators. This pilot triggered additional checks when a player's net monthly deposit reached £500 during the initial light-touch check. A second phase set for February 2025 will lower that threshold to £150 or above.
In May 2025, the Gambling Commission reported that 97% of checks conducted in the latter part of the pilot were deemed "frictionless." However, the Commission faced a targeted backlash against the policy, which led to a delay in the decision regarding full implementation in May.
Miller stated, "I think a lot of people have forgotten the purpose of the policy in the white paper. It's about being really focused upon higher-spending customers where there is evidence of financial distress." He highlighted that insights obtained from reference agencies helped clarify instances of financial distress without disrupting the customer experience. "I think it will do the opposite as long as they are implemented properly," he added.
When questioned about the timeline for FRA implementation, Miller, who recently announced his departure from the Gambling Commission, indicated he did not yet have a definitive answer. He acknowledged that the regulator faced criticism for both rushing the policy and for delays. "We’ve taken our time deliberately. Regulatory peers around the world are very keen to see what we do on this," Miller noted.
On the topic of the illegal gambling market, Miller criticized technology companies for inadequately addressing the ever-growing threat. He said these companies are "failing British consumers" by not sufficiently working to restrict access to black market sites and their associated marketing efforts. He emphasized the need for those combating the illegal market to establish connections akin to those of the criminal networks operating these sites. Affiliates and B2B suppliers were described as a significant part of the problem, and Miller urged operators to conduct thorough due diligence on their suppliers and affiliates to ensure no connections to the black market. He recognized that some operators, like Entain’s Simon Zinger, are leading the charge against illegal gambling, calling Zinger's efforts "impressive."
