UK Bookmakers Threaten Legal Action Over Planned Player Affordability Checks

^{Pictured: Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council}

UK bookmakers have warned the Gambling Commission that they could take legal action over financial risk assessments for players, Racing Post reported, citing a letter from the industry body the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

The issue concerns financial risk assessments for bettors. The checks are intended to identify customers whose betting activity may indicate potential gambling-related harm. The regulator says the assessments would affect only about 3% of customers. Bookmakers argue the share could be much higher among active players — potentially rising to 20% once customers with net annual betting spend of £200 or less are excluded.

Overall, the BGC estimates that financial documents could be requested from 480,000 customers. The group warned that the measure could push bettors toward the illegal market, potentially costing the Treasury up to £300 million, or about €344.5 million, in tax revenue from the regulated betting industry.

The bookmakers’ main objection concerns the pilot testing of the system. The BGC says the trial revealed problems with credit reference agency data, with conflicting information sometimes returned for the same customers.

As a result, bookmakers argue that the checks will not be fully automated and, in practice, will lead to additional document requests.

The Gambling Commission said no final decision had yet been made. The regulator said it was continuing to work on the risk assessment process and aimed to avoid unnecessary friction for consumers.