UKGC Data Shows Early Divide on Affordability Checks
A 2021 survey, released via a Freedom of Information request, reveals consumer division on the concept of financial risk checks ahead of new rules.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the results of a 2021 Gambling Commission survey on affordability checks. The data shows that while most consumers supported the principle of checks, they were deeply divided on the financial thresholds and methods, foreshadowing the contentious debate that followed.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has brought to light long-awaited data from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), revealing how consumers felt about the concept of affordability checks back in early 2021.
The data, from a 'mini-survey' conducted as part of a call for evidence, shows that while a majority of gamblers supported the principle of financial safety measures, they were deeply divided on how and when those checks should be implemented. The results provide crucial context for the new financial risk rules set to be introduced later this year.
The Original Request
The FOI request, dated 17 May 2024, asked the UKGC to disclose the quantitative results from the survey, which originally ran in January and February 2021. The requester noted a previous commitment from the Commission to publish the results, which had not been fully met until this disclosure.
The UKGC provided a full disclosure, releasing a document containing the numerical responses to the survey's multiple-choice questions. In its response, the regulator noted that the survey was designed to gather views on the concept of affordability measures, rather than the specific proposals that were later developed.
Key Findings from the Survey Data
The survey, which gathered over 2,000 responses from consumers, painted a picture of a public supportive of protection but wary of intrusion.
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Broad Support for Intervention: An overwhelming majority of respondents—nearly 90%—agreed that gambling companies have a responsibility to intervene if a customer shows signs of spending more than they can afford.
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Division on Thresholds: Opinion was sharply split on what should trigger a check. A significant portion (around 40%) believed a check was warranted at a monthly net loss of £250 or less. However, a similarly substantial group (approximately 30%) felt that operators should not conduct any such checks at all, highlighting a fundamental disagreement among consumers.
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Resistance to Intrusive Checks: When asked about the methods for these checks, a clear preference emerged for less invasive measures. Over 60% of respondents were comfortable with 'frictionless' checks that use publicly available data, such as information from credit reference agencies. In contrast, only 10% supported the idea of submitting personal documents like payslips or bank statements, a method viewed as highly intrusive.
Significance for Today's Regulations
This data from 2021 is particularly relevant given the impending changes to gambling regulation. On 30 August 2024, the UKGC will introduce two new types of checks:
- Financial Vulnerability Checks: Light-touch, frictionless checks for customers with a net deposit of over £500 in a rolling month.
- Financial Risk Assessments: A pilot scheme for more detailed, frictionless checks for customers with higher spending levels (e.g., a net loss of over £1,000 in 24 hours or £2,000 in 90 days).
The 2021 survey results demonstrate the tightrope the UKGC has had to walk. The strong consumer resistance to submitting personal documents, as revealed in the survey, likely influenced the regulator's and Government's focus on developing 'frictionless' checks that do not require customers to provide paperwork.
The data confirms the challenge regulators faced: balancing the clear public desire for consumer protection with an equally strong desire for personal privacy. The deep division on financial thresholds shows why setting specific trigger points has been one of the most contentious aspects of gambling reform.