A recent YouGov survey, commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), reveals that a significant number of bettors in the UK are unwilling to submit personal financial documents to continue gambling under proposed affordability checks. This raises concerns about a potential shift towards unregulated gambling markets.
The poll found that 65% of participants are not prepared to share sensitive documents like bank statements or payslips as part of enhanced financial risk assessments. Industry experts warn that this reluctance may undermine the effectiveness of new regulatory measures.
These findings align with earlier data from a UK Gambling Commission survey, which indicated that 77% of over 12,000 respondents were against financial risk checks. Only 14% of frequent bettors expressed a willingness to disclose their financial information.
The BGC suggests that mandatory checks based on documentation could significantly alter customer behavior, potentially more than regulators expect, especially if they complicate the betting experience.
Initial trials of financial vulnerability checks have already revealed issues, such as inconsistent data, unclear outcomes for customers, and increased friction in the betting process, according to the BGC.
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the BGC, stated, “Ministers promised punters frictionless checks, but the Gambling Commission risks pushing ahead with the exact opposite. Forcing punters to hand over bank statements isn’t ‘frictionless’; it’s intrusive and will drive customers to the illegal market, where there are no safeguards at all.”
Hurst emphasized that the poll reflects a strong sentiment from bettors, with 65% unwilling to provide sensitive financial information. She warned that the actual percentage could be even higher once these checks are implemented.
Moreover, there is a risk that these measures could push consumers towards unregulated operators, undermining existing protections.
The discussion surrounding affordability checks has also attracted political attention, with over 100,000 individuals signing a petition against them in 2024. This led to a Westminster Hall debate where then-minister Stuart Andrew MP stated that checks would only be introduced if they were “truly frictionless.”
The British Horseracing Authority has also expressed concerns, warning in an open letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy that stringent affordability checks might deter regular bettors and negatively impact the sport’s funding model.
“This unprecedented state intrusion into people’s private lives has dismayed the millions of people who love horse racing,” the authority remarked.
Additionally, the BGC has highlighted the extent of the unregulated market, estimating that around £60 million ($80.5 million) was wagered with illegal operators during the Cheltenham Festival.