UK Gambling Commission Boss Backs Affordability Checks Despite Research

Posted on: October 18, 2023, 07:25h. 

Last updated on: October 18, 2023, 11:02h.

Erik Gibbs Read More

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

In a stern rebuke against what he perceives as a deliberate campaign of misinformation, UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) CEO Andrew Rhodes expressed his frustration at the International Association of Gambling Regulators (IAGR). The CEO pointed his finger at news outlets for allegedly distorting facts about affordability checks, accusing them of intentionally misrepresenting the potential consequences.

Affordability checks, included in the gambling white paper, have been a contentious issue in the UK gambling landscape. The government is pushing for stringent measures to ensure that individuals aren’t exposed to harmful levels of gambling. These checks would assess a player’s financial situation to determine if they can afford the bets they are placing.

Speaking at the IAGR, Rhodes targeted media outlets, asserting that some are actively working to “torpedo the implementation of government policy” by disseminating misleading information about the impact of affordability checks. The CEO expressed his frustration with what he considers a blatant attempt to sway public opinion against the regulatory measures.

Reforms Still Open to Interpretation

Critics argue that affordability checks could have severe consequences for players and the gambling industry. Rhodes reiterated the UKGC’s position that the actual damage wouldn’t be as extensive as some fear. However, he stopped short of providing concrete statistics or research to substantiate this claim.

The CEO’s critique at the IAGR signals a determination on the part of the UKGC to counter what they see as a deliberate attempt to sow doubt and opposition to regulatory measures. As the debate on affordability checks continues, the UKGC faces the uphill task of navigating public discourse. Its goal is to ensure a balanced understanding of the regulatory landscape and its intended effects on the gambling industry and its patrons.

The UKGC and government officials are closing a consultation period on affordability checks, as well as other issues, on Wednesday. The gaming regulator received 2,100 responses at the time of Rhodes’ IAGR speech, which will hopefully be considered when the final policies are ready.

Government Officials Aren’t Listening

There has been a long-held concern that far-reaching controls over the UK’s gambling industry would lead to greater participation through offshore platforms. This has been reinforced by studies that have shown that over-restrictive markets cause gamblers to seek unregulated alternatives.

Rhodes doesn’t believe this will happen, and calls the claim “overstated.” He asserted that the UKGC, through its increased policing efforts, has witnessed a 46% decline in black market online gambling. However, he highlighted that the figures only reflect traffic to certain sites.

His denial of how affordability checks will impact the regulated market clashes with the results of a recent survey. As media outlet Racing Post pointed out from the “Right to Bet” survey, some bettors are already making plans to jump ship.

The same survey found that only 8% of the total survey group would comply with the checks. Some 15.3% said they would comply the first time, but not on subsequent attempts by the UKGC to enforce a check.

Racing industry insiders have already claimed that the affordability checks will decimate the industry almost completely. These latest results seem to support that hypothesis, especially amid a lack of research to the contrary.