The BGC and BHA are among numerous industry bodies opposing the Gambling Commission’s decision to roll out Financial Risk Assessments, which will see the financial position of all those depositing more than £1,000 in a rolling 24-hour period assessed using credit reference data.
The Gambling Commission has announced it will roll out Financial Risk Assessments in stages, with the assessments applying to all over-25s depositing more than £1,000 in a rolling 24-hour period, and “at risk” customers who deposit £750.
The measures will also apply to anyone spending above £3,000 in a rolling 90-day period using data held by credit reference agencies, however the regulator insists, although few agree with them, that the FRAs are not “affordability checks.”
“We are confident that our approach, using high-quality data, will enable support for high-spending customers in financial difficulties, while reducing friction for customers who are not in financial difficulties by removing the need for unnecessary and unpopular document checks to understand financial risk,” said acting CEO Sarah Gardner.
And yet in customary fashion, the Commission has ignored all objections.
Gardner echoed the regulator’s authoritarian playbook and stood by the Commission mantra – ‘we have listened, and we have ignored’.
She continued:“We have listened to feedback throughout the pilot process which has led to us deciding to carefully proceed. We will work with key partners to make sure that they are implemented in the most effective way for consumers and operators.”
The Betting and Gaming Council said it was “deeply disappointed and frustrated” that the Commission has chosen to pursue FRAs “despite the significant concerns raised over the last 18 months by the BGC, operators, racing, parliamentarians and customers.”
“The central issues around reliability, consumer impact and the practical operation of these checks remain unresolved.”
The BHA described the measures as “one of self-harm on an immense scale.”
“Rather than protecting consumers, these checks will have the opposite effect: driving more customers to the illegal market.”
No date has yet been set for the roll-out, which will apply at first to those spending more than £5,000 in a 24-hour period.
‘Self-harm on an immense scale’
BHA said… “Rather than protecting consumers, these checks will have the opposite effect: driving more customers to the illegal market…
BGC weighs up a legal challenge to introduction of FRAs
The Betting and Gaming Council is considering a legal challenge against the Gambling Commission, after the regulator announced it will roll out Financial Risk Assessments for all those spending more than £1,000 within 24 hours.
The BGC is working with colleagues at the British Horseracing Authority to explore the potential for a judicial review, warning that the controversial FRAs could cost British racing £250m over the next five years.
“Industry sources said lawyers were examining whether the commission’s announcement could be challenged in the courts, although any legal action is not expected immediately,” reported The Telegraph.
“The BGC warned the commission earlier this year that the proposals were potentially open to legal challenge if they were introduced without properly taking account of the regulator’s own pilot scheme.”
A BGC spokesman told the paper: “We are considering the Commission’s latest announcement and all options available to us,” but added “no decisions have been taken at this stage.”
Speaking on the Commission’s decision to push ahead with FRAs, the BHA’s director of communications Greg Swift said: “I can’t recall a situation quite like this where a government department has entirely abdicated responsibility for what ultimately is a political decision to a quango.”
“It simply beggars belief that a decision affecting two multi-billion-pound industries employing more than 200,000 people across Britain could be taken without any parliamentary scrutiny whatsoever.”
Originally published on Coinslot on July 20, 2026. Republished with permission.