UK Gambling Commission Announces Phased Financial Risk Checks for High-Spending Online Players

21 September 2026

The UK Gambling Commission has unveiled a new system of financial risk assessments for online gamblers who spend more than £1,000 in a 24-hour period or £2,000 over 90 days. The checks, which the regulator insists are not "affordability checks," will be rolled out gradually starting with the largest gambling companies and customers over 25 who spend more than £5,000 in a 24-hour window. This initial phase will affect less than 1% of customers.

What the Proposal Does

The Commission has set thresholds for when the financial risk assessments will trigger. Initially, the checks will apply to customers over 25 who spend more than £5,000 in a 24-hour period. Over time, this threshold will be lowered to £1,500 in 24 hours or £2,500 over 90 days for adults 25 and over, and to £700 in 24 hours or £1,800 over 90 days for younger customers. Notably, the regulator has said it will not use the term "affordability checks" for these measures, advocating instead for the more neutral "financial risk assessments."

Who is Affected First

In the first phase of implementation, the checks will only apply to customers of the largest gambling companies who spend more than £5,000 in a 24-hour period. For young adults under 25, the initial threshold is lower, at £2,000 in a 24-hour window. Even at the highest threshold, this will impact less than 1% of customers, according to the Commission. A later stage of the rollout will apply the reduced £1,500 threshold to all 25+ customers.

Why the Commission Says It Is Acting

The regulator's justification for the new measures is the higher incidence of debt problems among high-spending customers. High-spending customers are 2-4 times more likely to have a debt management plan and 2-5 times more likely to have had a default in the last 12 months than the wider population, the Commission claims. The interim Chief Executive Sarah Gardner contends that the new risk assessments are a necessary step to protect vulnerable players.

How the Checks Will Work

The financial risk assessments will be carried out using data from credit reference agencies, with no need for customers to provide documents. The Commission has been careful to note that the checks will not impact customers' credit scores. Interim Chief Executive Gardner told the BBC, "The assessments will use information that is already available. They will be entirely credit-reference agency based, there will be no impact on credit scores, and will be entirely document-free."

Rollout and Uncertainty

The Commission has not yet set a firm implementation date, stating that the rollout will depend on the level of engagement from industry and stakeholders. A spokesperson said, "We're committed to moving ahead in phases. First, we'll be working closely with the industry and in close consultation with them, watching results closely." Industry experts speculate that the measures may not be widely implemented until 2026 at the earliest.

Implications

For gambling operators and customers, the new measures have significant implications. Operators will face new compliance costs and the challenge of implementing the checks in a way that minimizes customer friction. Customers, particularly those on the cusp of the new thresholds, may feel the assessments are intrusive.

For regulators and consumer advocates, the measures signal a greater focus on protecting vulnerable customers in online gambling. Yet the impact remains to be seen. A 2019 study in the Journal of Gambling Studies found that only 35% of problem gamblers exhibited financial problems, potentially limiting the measures' effectiveness. The Commission's success in striking a balance between customer protection and industry viability will be under scrutiny as the checks gradually roll out.