Recent reports have indicated that gamblers and bettors in the UK are required to submit more affordability checks at the insistence of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). However, the gaming regulator’s CEO, Andrew Rhodes, has rejected the idea that it’s responsible.
Rhodes insisted in a speech during last week’s World Regulatory Briefing at ICE that the rumor the UKGC is calling for greater affordability checks is “nonsense.” He said the regulator hasn’t requested operators implement blanket checks but added that assessing financial worthiness was always part of the operator’s responsibilities.
Rhodes also downplayed the idea that any type of affordability check would cause damage to the gaming industry. Despite a decrease in revenue and a survey by YouGov, the agency the UKGC relies heavily on for research.
But several bettors have come under increased scrutiny lately by operators, according to the Racing Post and other media outlets. Reports show that they have to turn over bank statements and tax records not only for themselves but, in some cases, for close friends and family.
Rhodes insisted in a speech during last week’s World Regulatory Briefing at ICE that the rumor the UKGC is calling for greater affordability checks is “nonsense.” He said the regulator hasn’t requested operators implement blanket checks but added that assessing financial worthiness was always part of the operator’s responsibilities.
Rhodes also downplayed the idea that any type of affordability check would cause damage to the gaming industry. Despite a decrease in revenue and a survey by YouGov, the agency the UKGC relies heavily on for research.
But several bettors have come under increased scrutiny lately by operators, according to the Racing Post and other media outlets. Reports show that they have to turn over bank statements and tax records not only for themselves but, in some cases, for close friends and family.