UK Gaming Regulator To Begin Enforcing New Restrictions

Article by : Erik Gibbs Feb 5, 2025

• 
• 

The UK Gambling Commission has announced new regulations to strengthen consumer protections in the gambling industry. These measures will take effect in October, focusing on financial safeguards, responsible gaming, and greater transparency regarding player funds. The changes stem from the Gambling Act review white paper published in April 2023, which outlined proposals to modernize gambling laws in Great Britain.

One of the most significant updates requires all licensed operators to prompt new customers to set a deposit limit before making their first transaction. While some operators already offer similar options, this new rule will standardize the practice across all licensed gambling platforms. Players will also have the ability to adjust their limits over time, and operators will be required to remind users every six months to review their account and transaction history.

The Commission emphasized that these changes will provide players with better tools to manage their spending, making it easier to maintain responsible gambling habits. Research has shown that some consumers were confused by deposit limit policies, particularly when operators made adjustments to their systems. To address this, the regulator plans to conduct an additional consultation aimed at improving transparency and consistency in financial limits.

Another major change involves the introduction of a statutory levy, which requires gambling businesses to contribute a percentage of their gross gambling yield (GGY) toward research, prevention, and treatment of gambling-related harm. The levy, first announced in November, will replace the previous system in which operators made voluntary contributions to selected organizations.

The required contribution will range from 0.1% to 1.1% of a company’s GGY, with the exact rate depending on the type of gambling services they offer. The Commission has yet to confirm an official start date for the levy, though many expect it to take effect in April.

The regulator is also increasing transparency regarding the protection of customer funds. Currently, licensed operators must disclose whether player funds are safeguarded in case of insolvency.

The new rules will go a step further by requiring operators to actively notify players about their level of protection every six months. Operators will need to classify the protection level of user funds as one of four categories: no protection with no segregation, no protection with segregation, medium protection, or high protection.

While there is no legal obligation for gambling companies to secure player funds, many do so voluntarily. The Commission believes these updates will help consumers make informed decisions when choosing where to gamble, ensuring they are fully aware of the risks associated with each operator.

Tim Miller, executive director for research and policy at the Commission, stated that these changes reinforce the regulator’s commitment to fairness and transparency in the gambling industry. He highlighted that the new rules will not only assist players in managing their spending but also ensure they understand the status of their funds should an operator face financial difficulties.