The UK Gambling Commission has postponed its decision regarding the full implementation of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs). The announcement followed a board meeting held on 21 May.
In a statement provided to iGB, the commission said its board met yesterday to consider next steps on FRAs.
“[UKGC] was presented with an extensive evidence base but has not yet fully completed its assessment of that evidence. We will communicate further in due course,” it added.
The infamous FRAs
The planned FRAs are part of the government’s 2023 Gambling Act white paper reforms. A pilot programme launched in August 2024 sought to act as a harm-prevention tool, flagging risky gambling behaviours without imposing spending caps on customers.
The Gambling Commission emphasised that these assessments were not designed to restrict expenditure, but rather to support vulnerable players by identifying those potentially experiencing financial difficulties. They concluded that only 3% of active customers would trigger intervention steps. Meanwhile 97% would undergo a frictionless assessment, without disruption.
In a keynote speech at April’s Ethical Gambling Forum in London, GC Executive Director Tim Miller insisted that operators would not be required to ask for supplementary financial documents such as bank statements, following an FRA.
According to a YouGov survey published by the BGC, 65% of UK bettors would refuse to provide personal financial documents if it was a requirement in order to continue betting.
In response to the delay in decision by the Gambling Commission, Sophie Kemp, partner and head of public law at firm Kingsley Napley emphasised that reasonable assessments needed to be made.
“The Gambling Commission had already acknowledged unresolved questions about the reliability of credit reference data, customer friction and the risk of driving customers to unregulated black‑market operators. The board’s decision to delay affordability checks tends to suggest that the pilot evidence has not resolved these concerns, feared across the industry,” Kemp said.
She added: “The Gambling Commission cannot move forward with a decision of this significance without a reasonable assessment of their impact – and if it does, the case for judicial review is likely to be compelling.”
Opposition continues
Opposition to the FRAs has intensified over recent months, encompassing not only gambling operators but also politicians, racing industry stakeholders and media commentators.
A collection of cross-party MPs signed an open letter earlier this week calling on Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to abandon the initiative entirely. With a specific focus on the horseracing industry, the letter expressed concern that the affordability checks would disrupt the established synergy between racing and betting at a time when the sport already faces increasing economic challenges.
Ian Angus, the Gambling Commission’s director of policy, addressed concerns at a Clarion Payments Providers event this week, emphasising that “Financial Risk Assessments are not affordability checks by another name – the checks we have been piloting will not even attempt to make an assessment of what each customer can afford to gamble”.
As of now, the UK Gambling Commission has not provided a revised timetable for finalising its decision on Financial Risk Assessments.
Kathryn Evans
Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/ukgc-delays-decision-on-fras/
