UK Gambling Commission Introduces New Rules to Empower Consumers and Boost Operator Transparency
Published: February 5, 2025 | Author: Ron Clarke
On 4 February 2025, the UK Gambling Commission announced a series of regulatory changes designed to empower consumers and improve transparency across the gambling industry. These new rules focus on enhancing consumer control over deposit limits and increasing the clarity surrounding the protection of customer funds held by operators. These changes are part of the broader effort outlined in the 2023 White Paper titled High Stakes: Gambling Reform for the Digital Age, with the aim of making gambling more transparent and responsible.
New Customer-Led Tools for Managing Gambling
Starting 31 October 2025, all gambling businesses will be required to prompt customers to set a financial limit before they make their first deposit. Additionally, these businesses must provide an easy and accessible way for customers to review and adjust their deposit limits at any time. This rule ensures that consumers have more control over their gambling and can make informed decisions about their spending.
To further enhance consumer empowerment, gambling operators will be obligated to actively remind users to review their account and transaction information every six months. This reminder will encourage customers to reassess their existing limits and make adjustments as necessary. This change aims to promote responsible gambling practices and ensure that consumers are actively managing their finances.
The Gambling Commission has also noted that some operators have recently changed how they offer deposit limits, leading to potential confusion for consumers. To address this, the Commission will launch a supplementary consultation to explore ways to improve consistency and transparency across the industry regarding financial limits.
Transparency in Protection of Customer Funds
Another key change addresses the protection of customer funds in the event of an operator’s insolvency. Under the new rules, operators who hold customer funds must clearly state in their terms and conditions whether these funds are protected, the level of protection offered, and the method by which protection is provided. This information must be made available to customers at the point of their first deposit.
From 31 October 2025, operators whose customer funds are “not protected” in the event of insolvency must remind consumers about this fact every six months. While there is no legal obligation for gambling operators to protect customer funds during insolvency, many businesses voluntarily offer this protection. The new rules aim to make it clear which operators protect customer funds and which do not, providing consumers with the information they need to make more informed choices about where to place their bets.
Changes Linked to the Upcoming Statutory Levy
The Gambling Commission also addressed the upcoming statutory levy, which is set to be introduced on 6 April 2025. Currently, the Commission’s License Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) require operators to contribute financially to various research, prevention, and treatment organizations. This requirement will be phased out as the statutory levy takes effect. The Commission will notify operators of the exact implementation date once the Parliamentary process is complete.
At Casin.com, the leading online roulette and casino portal, we are committed to staying on top of the ever-evolving global regulatory landscape in the online gambling industry. We will continue to provide you with up-to-date information on the latest consumer protection initiatives, ensuring that you are always informed about the most important changes affecting the gambling world.
