The Gambling Commission Tightens Online Casino Safeguards with Inquiry into Financial Risk Assessments
15 October 2026
Online casino operators must already verify a customer's age and identity before gambling is allowed. Now the Gambling Commission is consulting on financial risk checks as the next safeguard.
The Gambling Commission Tightens Online Casino Safeguards with Proposed Financial Risk Checks
Online Casino Operators Must Verify Age and Identity
All online gambling businesses in the UK must require customers to prove their age and identity before gambling. Operators must verify name, address and date of birth as a minimum.
The 2019 reforms to remote gambling rules required operators to verify age and identity before a customer could deposit funds, play free-to-play games or gamble with their own money. Newer rules clarified that operators cannot request additional documentation during withdrawals if that information should have been collected earlier.
Enhanced Financial Risk Checks Proposed
In a July 2023 consultation, the Gambling Commission proposed financial risk checks to identify and assist customers experiencing potentially harmful gambling losses. The proposed thresholds are:
Stage 1 checks would trigger at £125 net loss within 30 days or £500 within 365 days.
Stage 2 checks would apply at £1,000 net loss within 24 hours or £2,000 within 90 days. Lower thresholds would apply to customers aged 18-24. The automated checks would use credit reference data to create a frictionless process.
Risk of Harm to Players Motivates New Checks
The Gambling Commission stated these checks represent a balanced approach to identify at-risk players, while acknowledging most gamble responsibly. Early intervention helps address potential problems before severe harm occurs, rather than waiting for individuals or loved ones to seek help too late.
New Checks Are Final Step in 2024, and Therefore Apply to Everyone
The rules took effect in August 2024, applying to all UK online casino players. As with identity verification, at-risk players may need to provide financial documentation demonstrating affordability when required.
These changes form part of broader government reforms outlined in the gambling white paper, focusing on improved affordability checks and harm prevention. Operators must ensure compliance while adapting to credit reference systems.
The practical effectiveness will depend on consistent implementation by gambling operators across the industry.