A leading policy advisor is urgently calling for a pause in the UK government’s rollout of financial risk checks for online gamblers. Dr. James Noyes, a senior fellow at the Social Market Foundation, believes ministers are moving too quickly, before a comprehensive evaluation of the current trial is complete.
Dr. Noyes has directly appealed to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, requesting a temporary halt to implementation. His concern stems from a growing body of evidence suggesting inconsistencies and potential flaws within the pilot program, raising doubts about its effectiveness and fairness.
The initial concept of affordability checks, proposed several years ago, held promise as a way to protect vulnerable individuals. However, Dr. Noyes argues that circumstances have shifted, demanding a more cautious and data-driven approach to regulation.
Reports indicate the pilot scheme has been plagued by inconsistent data and unclear outcomes, creating unnecessary obstacles for bettors. Moving forward without addressing these issues, he warns, risks eroding public trust and ultimately failing to safeguard those most in need of protection.
The Gambling Commission initiated these checks to identify online gamblers exhibiting potentially harmful spending patterns. The system aims for precision, differentiating itself from traditional affordability assessments, but challenges remain.
Data from May 2025 reveals the scale of the trial, with approximately 1.7 million checks conducted across 860,000 accounts, utilizing information from credit reference agencies. Remarkably, 97% of these checks were completed without requiring additional information from customers.
Despite this initial success rate, the regulator acknowledges ongoing difficulties. Discrepancies between credit data providers and the complexities of accurately assessing a customer’s financial vulnerability are key areas of concern, currently under analysis.
Financial vulnerability checks are already active at certain spending thresholds, initially set at £500 in net deposits over 30 days, and later lowered to £150. This demonstrates an existing level of scrutiny within the system.
Estimates suggest these expanded checks could impact a significant portion of UK gamblers, potentially subjecting up to 25% to enhanced reviews based on deposit levels. This comes as the online gambling market continues to thrive, generating £1.36 billion in gross yield in 2024.
The Commission maintains that the pilot focuses on targeted use of credit data and explicitly rules out mandatory open banking or automatic blocking of customers who decline to share further information. Their goal is a nuanced approach, avoiding overly intrusive measures.
Dr. Noyes’s initial support for affordability checks was contingent on robust oversight and demonstrable evidence of their effectiveness. He highlights unpublished findings, including a Gambling Commission survey revealing that 77% of over 12,000 respondents opposed the checks.
Concerns extend beyond individual gamblers, with the British Horseracing Authority and numerous industry figures voicing warnings about potential long-term consequences for the sport. The potential impact on a vital sector adds another layer of complexity to the debate.
Dr. Noyes emphasizes the need for public policy to adapt to changing circumstances. He believes the current situation demands careful consideration and a thorough response from the government before proceeding further with the implementation of these financial risk checks.
