Online gamblers who lose £500 or more per month will soon face additional checks as part of new measures to prevent problem gambling. The UK Gambling Commission announced the new rules in an effort to protect vulnerable players and reduce the negative impact of online gambling.
The new checks will require online gambling operators to step up their monitoring of players who lose significant amounts of money each month. Currently, online gambling companies are only required to conduct basic identity checks, such as verifying a player’s age and location. However, the new rules will require operators to conduct more thorough checks on players who lose £500 or more in a month.
This move comes after concerns were raised about the growing number of problem gamblers in the UK. According to the Gambling Commission, an estimated 430,000 people in the UK are problem gamblers, with a further 2 million at risk of developing a gambling addiction.
The new regulations will also require online gambling operators to conduct regular affordability checks on players, to ensure that they are able to afford their gambling habits. Operators will be required to monitor players’ spending and gambling patterns, and intervene if they believe a player is at risk of developing a gambling problem.
In addition to the new checks, online gambling operators will be required to provide additional support and resources to players who are identified as being at risk of problem gambling. This could include offering counselling services, setting limits on deposits and bets, and providing information on responsible gambling.
The UK Gambling Commission has welcomed the new measures, stating that they will help to protect vulnerable players and reduce the harm caused by problem gambling. The Commission has also urged online gambling operators to take their responsibilities seriously and work with regulators to ensure that they are meeting their obligations.
Many online gambling operators have expressed support for the new measures, stating that they are committed to promoting responsible gambling and ensuring that their players are protected. However, some critics have raised concerns about the impact that the new regulations could have on the online gambling industry, with some suggesting that they could lead to a decrease in revenue for operators.
Overall, the new measures are seen as a positive step towards addressing the issue of problem gambling in the UK. By requiring online gambling operators to conduct more thorough checks on players who are at risk of developing a gambling addiction, the regulations aim to ensure that vulnerable players are protected and that the negative impact of problem gambling is reduced.
