UK gambling regulations have been a focal point for years, but recent shifts in policy, public opinion, and technology are creating ripples across the industry.
On November 15, 2024, Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the Gambling Commission, delivered a key speech at the CEO Briefing, where he outlined significant regulatory updates and their impact on the UK gambling industry.
His remarks come at a time when the gambling landscape is evolving, driven by changes in technology, player behaviour, and public opinion, highlighting both the risks and opportunities ahead for the sector.
New proposals from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) aim to bolster player protections, while ensuring the industry remains viable. Affordability checks, a contentious topic, have sparked debates about their impact on bettors and operators alike as many players now feel that UKGC regulations are becoming too strict and restrictive.
Stringent affordability checks and other restrictions have been leading many players to explore non gamstop casino websites, which offer a more flexible gambling experience with fewer restrictions. These platforms, operating independently of the UKGC’s framework, cater to players seeking alternative options and provide great benefits, like instant payouts and generous welcome bonuses.
As their popularity grows, they highlight the evolving preferences of modern bettors and the diverse landscape of gaming opportunities available.
The UKGC estimates only 3% of accounts will face affordability checks. Critics argue this figure misrepresents reality, as many occasional bettors—who wager on marquee events like the Grand National—are included in these statistics. This discrepancy leaves regular punters unclear on how frequently checks may apply.
According to Rhodes, the industry faces new challenges and must be willing to evolve and meet new regulatory standards. He further iterated that the UKGC is committed to protecting players and will continue to do so.
Industry veteran David Brown has called for standardised definitions of “active” and “dormant” accounts to streamline the data debate.
Beyond affordability, the sector faces mounting scrutiny over transparency. In a 2023 survey, nearly half of respondents were ambivalent over whether UK gambling was “fair and trustworthy,” with only 21.5% expressing confidence.
This lukewarm trust level underscores the need for clear communication between operators and customers. Withdrawal delays, often cited as a major grievance, remain a flashpoint. While most operators process payouts promptly, issues affecting 1% of accounts generate outsized frustration and social media backlash.
Meanwhile, illegal gambling continues to evolve as a pressing issue. The UKGC has intensified its efforts to disrupt this shadow market, targeting payment providers, search engines, and unlicensed operators.
Over 102,000 URLs were referred to Google for removal this year alone, with over 64,000 successfully taken down. However, enforcement against land-based illegal gambling has proven slower, requiring collaboration with police forces to dismantle operations.
A 2023 study revealed four key cohorts engaging in illegal gambling: self-excluded players, those deliberately seeking unregulated platforms, displaced sports bettors, and inadvertent participants unaware of a platform’s illegal status.
Amid these challenges, innovation offers a silver lining. The industry-led initiative GamProtect, launched in September, exemplifies collaborative efforts to safeguard players. By sharing data about self-excluded customers across participating operators, the tool has already identified over 6,000 at-risk individuals.
Encouragingly, its development included guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office to ensure compliance with data protection laws.
Looking forward, the UKGC’s CEO, Andrew Rhodes, emphasises the importance of collaboration to tackle nuanced regulatory issues.
His recent speech on November 15 highlighted a significant improvement in compliance among operators, with 75% rated as “good” or “satisfactory” in consumer protection between July and September 2024. However, Rhodes warns that complacency remains a threat, urging the sector to adopt proactive measures against emerging risks.”The level of compliance we are seeing from operators is encouraging, but we must remain vigilant. Complacency cannot be an option as the industry continues to evolve, and new risks emerge.”
