Since announced in the summer consultations of 2023, there has been a clear focus from the industry on ‘financial vulnerability checks’ and ‘financial risk assessments’, with a keen focus on the potential industry impact as well as the Commissions definition of ‘frictionless’.

In a blog posted by Tim Miller on February 22nd 2024, the Commission have updated the industry on their next steps regarding this consultation, as expected following the quick update during Andrew Rhodes’ speech at ICE2024 as covered previously.

Uncharacteristically for the UK Gambling Commission, they have not announced implementation of the consultation proposals in the usual manner. Instead, they have announced a soft launch of the lower level ‘Financial vulnerability checks’ to manage the impact for businesses and have also announced a ‘pilot and data period’ to collate information on the suitability of the proposed thresholds for the higher level ‘financial risk assessments’.

The pilot will enable the Commission to test the details of data-sharing in practice, working with credit reference agencies and gambling businesses, thinking always about what this means for the consumer. Also stating that consumers should not be affected during a pilot period to make sure that we can refine the data sharing processes.

This is the first consultation in a long time which shows the commission have heavily taken into account the consultation responses and shows a keen effort toward better collaboration with the industry.

Operators are reminded that the new proposals are not intended to replace existing controls for safer gambling and consumer protection and are proposed as an added layer of protection for consumers.

Industry stakeholders should refer to the full blog currently on the Commission’s website HERE