The Betting and Gaming Council and the British Horseracing Authority have urged the Gambling Commission to pause and reassess the proposed introduction of financial risk assessments, over concerns added regulation will drive bettors to the black market.
Following the launch of a financial vulnerability check pilot in 2024, the Commission has begun preparing the ground for the more intrusive FRAs, however both trade bodies warn the measures are far from the frictionless interventions proposed in the White Paper.
“The financial risk assessments proposed by the Gambling Commission risk duplicating existing protections while creating significant friction for customers,” BGC CEO Grainne Hurst told the Racing Post.
“The government should therefore ask the Gambling Commission to pause and review FRAs as part of a wider reassessment of the player protection system, ensuring any changes are evidence-led and protect customers without driving them towards the unsafe, unregulated black market.”
Speaking to The Sun, BHA CEO Brant Dunshea added: “Without a better solution the illegal market will only grow, causing more harm, depriving the government of tens of millions of pounds in lost tax revenue, and sparking widespread job losses across Britain.”
“I urge the Commission and government to carefully consider whether the timing is right for this additional layer of regulation.”
Originally published on Coinslot on March 30, 2026. Republished with permission.