As Global Gaming Insider announced this morning, the Gambling Commission has indeed confirmed the introduction of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs). These are set to be implemented in stages.
The Commission noted evidence that some high-spending players are experiencing financial difficulties that operators are not identifying. Therefore, a streamlined approach to identifying and supporting these players should be introduced.
FRAs will give operators a more effective way to identify customers in financial difficulty while reducing reliance on document checks. The majority of players will not require an assessment, and most of those who do, will undergo a document-free check through Credit Reference Agencies with no impact on their credit score.
Most players will avoid detailed assessments
Following a pilot program in 2025, the Commission stated that the system could operate in a “frictionless” manner for most users. The pilot found that 97% of customers who spend above the threshold could be easily assessed for financial risk without disruption.
This means fewer than 3% of accounts would require an extra assessment, while fewer than 1 in 1,000 accounts would be unable to complete one. In those cases, operators would need to verify the customer’s identity and may assess financial risk through alternative methods, such as open banking or requesting documentation.
Largest operators to face first-stage requirements
The first stage of implementation will involve the largest operators conducting FRAs for customers who spend significantly over a 24-hour period.
In most cases, this applies to those making net deposits of £5,000 or more within that timeframe. This spending pattern is quite rare, with fewer than 0.5% of customers exceeding this amount.
Once fully implemented, Financial Risk Assessments will be applied to players aged 25 years or older who have net deposits exceeding GBP 1,000 within a rolling 24-hour period or GBP 3,000 over a rolling 90-day period
During the early stages of implementation, no enforcement action will be taken if operators fail to act following a FRA. However, operators will remain subject to all other existing compliance requirements.
The Commission will announce the stage one timetable after consulting with industry and other stakeholders through implementation groups set to be established over the summer.
Full rollout will introduce new thresholds for risk checks
Once fully implemented, FRAs will be applied to players aged 25 years or older who have net deposits exceeding £1,000 within a rolling 24-hour period or £3,000 over a rolling 90-day period.
For customers under 25, these thresholds will be reduced to £750 in a rolling 24 hours and £2,000 in a rolling 90 days.
So far, financial checks were significantly more limited. Since August 2024, operators have been required to carry out only basic checks using publicly available information, such as bankruptcy records, when customers deposit more than £500 in a month, with the threshold later reduced to £150.
How has the industry reacted?
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has criticized the Commission’s decision to proceed with FRAs, arguing that concerns over reliability, consumer impact and implementation remain unresolved.
BGC CEO Grainne Hurst said the regulator’s decision to delay implementation, raise thresholds and move away from its original timetable acknowledged concerns raised by the industry, operators, racing bodies, parliamentarians and customers.
Hurst stated: "The Commission has not demonstrated that the data underpinning these checks is accurate, reliable or consistent enough to support regulatory decisions affecting customers. The pilot exposed inconsistencies in the information returned by credit reference agencies, with the same customer potentially receiving different outcomes depending on the provider.
"Customers risk being wrongly identified as financially vulnerable based on a system that remains unproven. That is not a sound basis for regulatory intervention. The Commission has yet to publish a full evaluation of the pilot, so neither the industry nor the public has seen the evidence needed to justify introducing these checks."
BGC remains concerned that the system may not be truly “frictionless” if it leads to account restrictions or requires customers to provide additional documentation or open banking information.
The Commission will continue working with gambling businesses, Credit Reference Agencies and other stakeholders to refine the assessments, develop guidance and support proportionate implementation
