Two‑thirds of UK gamblers oppose tougher affordability checks

(AsiaGameHub) –   A recent YouGov survey commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) indicates that 65% of UK gamblers would decline to submit personal financial records, such as payslips or bank statements, if such documentation were made a condition for continued betting.

These findings have heightened industry anxieties that the proposed affordability assessments might alienate customers from licensed operators, potentially pushing them toward the unregulated black market.

Significant hesitation to disclose information

The YouGov report, released by the BGC on Wednesday, highlights a marked reluctance among bettors to divulge private financial data as part of enhanced verification procedures. There is a tangible risk that mandatory financial risk assessments enforced by the Gambling Commission could lead to a substantial loss of customers from the regulated industry.

These results align with previous data gathered by the BGC via a Freedom of Information request regarding a Gambling Commission survey. That earlier study found that 77% of more than 12,000 participants were against financial risk checks, with only 14% of regular bettors expressing a willingness to share financial details.

The BGC suggests that these combined figures indicate that compulsory financial document checks may impact customers more severely than regulators currently anticipate.

During initial trials of financial vulnerability assessment procedures, the BGC identified several issues, including ambiguous outcomes for users, inconsistent data, and increased friction throughout the customer experience.

Sharing banking data is not ‘frictionless’

“Ministers gave assurances of frictionless checks, yet the Gambling Commission appears to be moving toward the exact opposite,” stated Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council.

“Requiring punters to submit bank statements is far from ‘frictionless’; it is invasive and will drive users toward the illegal market, where no consumer protections exist.

“This poll conveys a clear message from bettors. A majority (65%) are unwilling to share this sensitive financial data. In practice, that figure could prove even higher once these checks are implemented.

“These measures will drive customers away from the regulated sector and into the harmful, illegal black market, thereby undermining the very protections these checks are intended to provide.

“The vast majority of customers gamble responsibly and within their means. Our focus should be on safeguarding the vulnerable, rather than creating unnecessary barriers for millions of typical punters.

“Failing to strike the right balance will not only erode customer trust but will also increase risks to individuals and further stimulate the growth of the illegal market.”

In 2024, a petition opposing these checks garnered over 100,000 signatures, prompting a Westminster Hall debate where then-minister Stuart Andrew MP stated that such checks would only be implemented if they were “truly frictionless.”

Industry-wide concerns

These apprehensions are shared across the racing industry. In an open letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, the British Horseracing Authority warned that overly rigorous financial risk assessments could have unintended negative impacts on the sport.

The letter cautioned that intrusive affordability requirements could deter regular bettors and ultimately threaten the funding model of horse racing.

“This unprecedented level of state interference in the private lives of citizens has caused dismay among the millions of people who enjoy horse racing.”

The BGC has increasingly highlighted the dangers of unregulated gaming, estimating that as much as £60 million was wagered with unlicensed operators during the Cheltenham Festival.