UKGC Paused Research on Player Risk Algorithms
FOI reveals work on operator algorithms was halted, with no information held on a previously announced 'best practice study'.
A Freedom of Information request reveals the UK Gambling Commission “paused” its research into operator risk algorithms. The regulator also confirmed it holds no records of a “best practice study” previously announced by its chairman.
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Regulator Halts Work on Gambling Harm Algorithms
A Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure has revealed the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) “paused” its dedicated research into the risk algorithms used by gambling operators. The response also confirmed the regulator holds no information on a “best practice study” into their use, which was publicly mentioned by its chairman.
The request, dated 2 July 2025, sought to understand the regulator's follow-up work since its 2021 data study on how operators use algorithms to identify players at risk of harm.
Why This Matters
Online gambling operators use complex algorithms to monitor player behaviour. These systems are designed to spot patterns that may indicate gambling harm, such as chasing losses, increasing stake sizes, or playing for long periods. They are a primary tool for operators to meet their licence conditions for customer interaction and player protection.
Regulatory scrutiny of these often-secretive systems is crucial to ensure they are effective at protecting consumers, rather than simply maximising profit. The Commission’s own research and public statements have previously highlighted the need for greater openness in this area.
Key Findings from the FOI Response
The UKGC’s response to the information request revealed several key points:
1. Research into Algorithms Was “Paused” The Commission confirmed it has not conducted any follow-up data gathering exercise to its 2021 study because its work on algorithms was “paused”. Instead, the regulator stated it prioritised work on customer interaction guidance, financial vulnerability checks, and the financial risk assessments pilot.
2. No Records of “Best Practice Study” The request asked for records relating to a “best practice study into the use of algorithms” mentioned by UKGC Chairman Marcus Boyle in a 2022 blog post. In the post, Boyle highlighted “the need for openness and cooperation in an area which has in the past been too competitive and secretive.”
In response, the Commission stated: “The Commission holds no information falling within the scope of your request.”
3. No Specific Data on Compliance Checks The FOI asked how many times since 1 October 2022 the UKGC had sought detailed disclosures from operators on how their risk models are developed and tested. The Commission did not provide a number.
Instead, it stated that understanding these controls is an “integral part of any compliance assessment” and that reviews of customer interaction processes are a “standard part” of all full assessments.
Significance for Consumers
The disclosure indicates a shift in the UKGC's stated priorities, moving away from dedicated research into the technology that underpins modern online gambling safety measures. While the Commission has advanced other important consumer protection policies, the pause in this specific area leaves a potential gap in the oversight of operators' core harm-detection systems.
The confirmation that no information is held on a publicly announced “best practice study” also raises questions about regulatory transparency and the progress of initiatives designed to make gambling safer.