New data analysis by the Department of Trust (DoT) has found that one in four UK gamblers would have been subject to financial risk checks in 2024 under the latest Gambling Commission regulations. The checks, which were initially enforced in August 2024 with a £500 monthly net deposit threshold, were lowered to £150 as of February 28, 2025.
The study examined anonymized bank transaction data from 90,000 individuals who deposited or withdrew money with at least one UK-licensed gambling operator over the course of 2024. It excluded lottery purchases and free prize draws, as these are not subject to financial risk assessments.
Younger Gamblers More Likely to Be Affected
Breaking down the data by age groups, the findings show that individuals aged 35-39 were the most likely to meet the new £150 net deposit threshold, with 26% of players in this category qualifying for financial risk checks. Gamblers aged 30-34 closely followed, with 25% reaching the threshold, while 24% of those aged 40-44 and 23% of 25-29-year-olds would also be subject to checks.
Among younger players, 21.5% of those under 25 would have triggered at least one financial risk check, compared to 25.6% of those aged 25 and older.
Majority of Deposits Made by Players Above the Threshold
The report also highlights the significant financial contribution of players subject to these checks. Out of the £168 million deposited by the gambling sample group in 2024, nearly 97% of deposits were made by individuals who met or exceeded the £150 net deposit threshold.
The average active gambler deposited around £54 per month, typically betting across three different operators and making deposits roughly once every two weeks. Those surpassing the £150 threshold engaged with five operators on average but did not necessarily deposit larger amounts per operator. Among players under 25 who met the threshold, the average number of operators used rose to 5.68.
For gamblers triggering financial risk checks, the average monthly net deposit was approximately £211. Players under 25 who met the threshold had an average monthly deposit of £142.64, while those over 25 deposited an average of £222.29 per month.
Financial Risk Checks and Player Income
The study also examined the correlation between gambling habits and income levels. The average annual pre-tax income across the sample group was £36,614.43. Among those who met the £150 threshold, this figure was slightly higher at £37,157.84.
The highest earners in this category were individuals aged 50-54, who had an average income of £41,652.79. However, the data does not suggest a direct link between higher earnings and increased gambling expenditures.
Gambling Operators Face Compliance Challenges
With the introduction of stricter financial risk checks, UK gambling operators will be required to carefully monitor deposits to ensure compliance with the new £150 threshold. DoT founder Charles Cohen emphasized the significance of these measures, stating:
“This data shows both the impact and relevance of the light-touch financial risk checks at £150 net loss. Operators simply cannot afford to get this wrong because it’s clear that this is not just where the revenue is, but also the most problematic situations with customers.”
New Statutory Levy Set to Replace Voluntary Contributions
In a separate regulatory development, UK gambling operators will no longer be required to make voluntary contributions to research, prevention, and treatment (RPT) organizations. Under revised Licensing Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) regulations, the statutory levy will take effect on April 6, 2025.
The existing requirement for annual financial contributions under SR Code 3.1.1 will be removed from March 31, 2025. Moving forward, the Gambling Commission will collect levy payments directly from operators, with invoices issued on September 1, 2025, and payments due by October 1, 2025. The 2024/25 levy will be calculated based on regulatory return data submitted from June 2024 to March 2025.
While paragraph two of SR Code 3.1.1 is being removed, paragraph one, which outlines social responsibility obligations, will remain in effect. Further details on the changes are available in the Gambling Commission’s consultation response.
These regulatory shifts mark a significant change in how financial oversight and responsible gambling contributions are handled within the UK’s gambling sector.
Sources:
"DoT: Financial Risk Checks to Hit 25 Percent of UK Gamblers", igamingbusiness.com, March 3, 2025.
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