Published on: May 21, 2026, at 08:14h.

Updated on: May 21, 2026, at 08:14h.

• UKGC reports proposed financial risk assessments impact less than 3% of accounts
• Regulator claims new gambling checks will mainly be “frictionless” for users
• Horse racing sector warns reforms could further harm betting revenue streams

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) asserts that the proposed financial risk assessments (FRAs) within the nation’s extensive gambling reforms would primarily be frictionless and affect under 3% of all gambling accounts in activity.

The term FRA refers to what was previously called “affordability checks”—financial evaluations of customers who surpass a specific deposit threshold within a month.

Critics contend that these checks are invasive, arguing that individuals should not be required to justify their spending patterns on lawful leisure activities. Additionally, there are fears this may push gamblers towards illegal markets.

The horse racing industry has expressed particular concern, as it benefits from £350 million annually from the licensed gambling sector, which includes sponsorships, media rights, and betting levies. They claim that betting revenues have recently declined by 15% to 20%, attributing this drop directly to non-mandatory trials of these checks currently in progress.

‘Misinformed Commentary’

During his speech at the Clarion Payment Providers Summit, Ian Angus emphasized that much of the recent discourse surrounding FRAs has been “misinformed or inaccurate.”

He indicated that pilot data reveals that less than 3% of active gambling accounts would trigger any operator engagement under the proposed financial risk assessment framework.

Of those accounts, 97% would partake in a “frictionless” review process—significantly outpacing the 80% expectation outlined in the government’s 2023 Gambling White Paper.

Angus noted that only around 0.1% of active accounts, or roughly one in every 1,000, would face difficulties completing an assessment without complications.

Refrain from Calling Them Affordability Checks

“FRAs are distinctly different from affordability checks,” he stated, referring to a previous, now-abandoned initiative that would have required customers to submit bank statements to operators.

Under the FRA model, an automated data verification would operate discreetly, with only atypical or high-risk cases necessitating intervention.

The assessments we have been testing will not attempt to determine what each user can afford to gamble, nor will the proposed thresholds for assessment impose limits or caps on customer spending,” he added. “FRAs were identified in the 2023 White Paper as the optimal approach to provide a seamless and uniform method for gambling firms to evaluate whether a consumer faces financial hurdles.”

The future of financial risk assessments remains uncertain. The regulator continues to analyze pilot data and engage with industry stakeholders before making any final recommendations regarding implementation.