Leading Racing Figures Wade In On UKGC’s Affordability Checks Proposal

The calls on the government to intervene over the United Kingdom Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) affordability checks are growing louder. Essentially, the enhanced checks are supposed to be ‘frictionless’; however, they are causing growing concern within betting circles.

Originally, the increased checks were proposed in the government’s last white paper in 2023. A lower level of background assessments, known as financial vulnerability checks, were formally introduced at the end of August 2024, operating with a £150 net deposit over a 30-day rolling period. However, the UKGC began its own trial, which is courting controversy.

Causing a stir

While the government carried out affordability checks trials, the UKGC piloted its own scheme, and these were termed as Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs). The premise of the UKGC’s experiment was to provide seamless checks for those spending £1,000 within 24 hours or £2,000 within 90 days.

Here, bettors would not need to provide personal information, such as bank statements or pay slips. But soon after, problems arose indicating inconsistent data pulled up by credit reference agencies (CRAs), which could have drawn different conclusions from the same individual in question.

In May 2025, the UKGC hinted it would move onto the next phase of its pilot over the summer, but things have hit a standstill. There are fears that the UKGC’s policy could be too intrusive for punters, with suggestions the affordability checks would be more akin to a mortgage application to buy a house.

Racing figures jump into debate

Horse racing currently finds itself at a crossroads. Although the sport was exempt from the tax hikes announced in the November budget, there have been other crises brewing, including Lord Charles Allen resigning as Chair of the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) after less than six months in the role.

With regards to the affordability checks, they could be deemed a hindrance rather than a help. That is according to Martin Cruddace, the Arena Racing Company (ARC) CEO, who is adamant that the Department of Culture, Media & Sport should quash the UKGC’s proposal.

He said:

“I’m sure I speak for many in the UK horseracing industry when I say we have watched with amazement the Gambling Commission ignore set parameters and instruction by government that any affordability checks must be frictionless, and instead actively pursue a terrible policy that simply drives people to the illegal market where there is no problem.

“They should reverse course, focus on supporting the UK betting industry and finding a practical solution that works for that industry and consumers. The DCMS must grasp the nettle and take back control of this unelected quango.”

Black market fears crop up again

Unsurprisingly, the thorny issue of black market gambling has reared its head again. In relation to the affordability checks, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) claimed 120,000 racing punters could be asked to provide supporting documentation to prove they have sufficient funds to bet with.

More worryingly, the BGC suggested that as many as 96,000 could drop out or refuse to comply with the UKGC’s policy. BGC CEO Grainne Hurst reckons the UKGC are risking “duplicating existing protections”, and drive more people towards the black market.

Meanwhile, William Haggas, a prominent racing trainer, thinks the affordability checks need to be reconsidered, otherwise it could have an untold impact on racing’s finances. He told The Sun:

“Anything that interferes with that will only damage horseracing, cost jobs and deprive the Government of much-needed tax revenue.

“There is surely no harm in the Government taking the time to look at this again and make sure it gets it right.”