UK to Discuss Gambling Bonus Regulations as Public Backlash Intensifies

Posted on: November 3, 2023, 09:46h. 

Last updated on: November 3, 2023, 11:40h.

Erik Gibbs Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is ready to address the subject of bonuses and other incentives with gaming industry players. It’s part of a complex review following the publication of the government’s white paper, although public resistance to some of the recommendations is growing.

Mandy Gill, the UKGC’s Director of Compliance, highlighted the consultation on bonuses when she spoke at the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA) this week. The primary focus of the consultations is the use of free bets and other incentives, and the role they play in providing a “socially responsible” gaming experience.

The white paper introduced a number of recommendations that could significantly alter the UK’s gambling space. Not all, such as affordability checks, have been welcome, and it’s up to consumers and the gaming industry to ensure that the reforms meet with their approval.

Bonuses, Free Bets on the Chopping Block

The gaming regulator is now accepting feedback from gaming entities on how they currently address the union between incentives and social responsibility. They will also be able to supply input on how these incentives can be adjusted going forward to align with the government’s sweeping gambling reforms.

Gill said during her BACTA speech that the regulator and government officials will discuss gambling management tools during the latest consultation. Part of this will focus on whether there should be tougher online deposit limits.

The UKGC is also expecting feedback on “regulatory returns.” These are a type of self-supplied audit from gaming operators that provide information on their daily activities. The regulator uses the information to help ensure the operator is in compliance with the terms of its license.

To that end, the UKGC is considering increasing the frequency with which it collects regulatory returns. Currently, most operators provide quarterly and annual returns.

There will also be discussion on the possible removal of a “significant number of items that are out of date or not useful.”

More Consumers Opposed to Changes

The consultation on bonuses and incentives follows the discussion on affordability checks and other topics, which received 3,000 submissions from the gaming space. These checks, in many cases, would require gamblers to constantly show their financial stability to gamble. In some cases, it could also cut some of them off completely.

The UKGC argues that the impact of affordability checks won’t be that substantial, although it hasn’t been able to produce concrete figures to support the claim. There are currently two petitions in progress that would seem to indicate that the general public doesn’t agree.

The “Stop the Implementation of Betting Affordability/Financial Risk Checks” petition points out that the checks will apply when players sustain losses of as little as £1.37 (US$1.69) per day.

The petition launched on November 1, and in just two days, already has more than 41,200 signatures. The window to sign closes on May 1, 2024.

The second petition, “Don’t Allow Affordability Checks for Sports Betting,” isn’t as specific, only stating that “[bettors] shouldn’t have to experience intrusive checks covering aspects of their finances.” This petition ends on November 9, and currently has slightly more than 4,100 signatures.

Additionally, a petition that receives at least 100K signatures will get further government attention. A parliamentary debate is required once a petition reaches that level.