The UK gambling industry is facing mounting concerns over proposed affordability checks, with key figures from the horse racing sector warning that the stringent regulations could have detrimental effects on both bettors and the broader industry. A series of open letters, petitions, and surveys has highlighted the growing unease, particularly around the potential for customers to move toward unregulated and illegal betting platforms.

Bettors Strongly Oppose Financial Checks

The affordability checks, which require bettors to provide sensitive financial information, have raised concerns that they could undermine the experience of responsible gambling. According to a YouGov survey commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), a significant 65% of UK bettors are unwilling to share personal financial documents such as bank statements or payslips if required to continue gambling. This reluctance underscores the fear that such measures could drive punters away from regulated operators and into the arms of illicit markets where no safeguards exist.

The BGC, which has been vocal in its opposition to the checks, warned that these new regulations could lead to an exodus of customers from the regulated gambling environment. “Forcing punters to hand over bank statements isn’t ‘frictionless’; it’s intrusive and will drive customers to the illegal market, where there are no safeguards at all,” said Grainne Hurst, the CEO of the BGC, according to The Sun. The body also noted that previous trials of these checks have shown inconsistent results, with unclear outcomes for customers and added friction in the customer journey.

This sentiment was echoed by figures within the British horseracing industry. In an open letter addressed to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, representatives from the British Horseracing Authority warned that such regulations would harm the sport’s funding model. The letter stated that unnecessary state intrusion into people’s private lives could result in a loss of bettors who enjoy the sport regularly and within their means. “This unprecedented state intrusion has dismayed the millions of people who love horse racing,” the letter read.

A similar petition was launched in 2024, gathering more than 100,000 signatures against the proposed affordability checks, which led to a Westminster Hall debate on the issue. During the debate, the then-minister Stuart Andrew MP emphasized that the checks would only be implemented if they were “truly frictionless,” a promise that the gambling community is now questioning.

The Gambling Commission, which is overseeing the implementation of these checks, launched a pilot financial risk check scheme in summer 2024, based on players’ monthly net deposits. However, the move has been controversial, with concerns that it could further fuel the illegal betting market. The BGC estimates that during the Cheltenham Festival alone, £60 million was wagered through unregulated operators, highlighting the potential risk of pushing bettors into the black market.

Industry’s Growing Distrust of the Checks

Industry leaders are particularly concerned that the new rules, intended to protect vulnerable players, may have the opposite effect. Many believe that the checks, which have been framed as a way to make gambling safer, could ultimately harm the most responsible bettors by creating unnecessary barriers to participation.

The BGC is advocating for a more balanced approach, calling for a focus on protecting truly vulnerable players without unduly affecting the wider population. “The overwhelming majority of customers bet safely and within their means,” said Hurst. “We should be focusing on protecting the vulnerable, not placing unnecessary hurdles in front of millions of ordinary punters.”

The horse racing community, which relies heavily on betting revenue, also fears the loss of vital funds that support the sport. With sponsorships, prize pools, and operational funding dependent on legal betting activities, the sport stands to lose substantial backing if bettors turn to unregulated platforms.