The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced a series of regulatory changes aimed at enhancing consumer protection, including mandatory deposit limits for new players, increased transparency on customer funds, and the implementation of a statutory levy on gambling operators.
These changes, set to take effect from October 31, come amidst the country’s efforts to modernize gambling regulations as outlined in the Gambling Act review white paper published in April 2023.
Under the new rules, all licensed gambling operators must require first-time depositors to set a financial limit before making their initial deposit. While some operators have already adopted similar measures, the update ensures that this requirement is standardized across the industry.
Players will be able to review and adjust their deposit limits at any time, and operators must remind them every six months to reassess their spending habits by reviewing account and transaction details.
“These rules will take good practice already offered by some operators and expand that so customers can expect the same standards across the industry,” the Commission stated.
The UKGC also plans to launch a short consultation to improve clarity on financial limits. This follows concerns raised by consumers regarding inconsistencies in how different operators apply and communicate deposit restrictions.
In addition to deposit controls, the UKGC addressed confusion surrounding the upcoming statutory levy, first announced in November. This levy will require licensed operators to contribute between 0.1% and 1.1% of their gross gambling yield (GGY), with exact rates varying depending on the type of gambling services provided and their associated risk factors.
To accommodate this change, the Commission will remove its existing requirement for operators to make annual financial contributions to research, prevention, and treatment organizations. This obligation, previously outlined in the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), will become obsolete once the levy is in place.
While the exact date of implementation has not been confirmed, the measure is widely expected to come into effect on April 6. The Commission has assured licensees that they will be notified as soon as the date is officially finalized.
Another key element of the regulatory update focuses on ensuring transparency regarding the protection of customer funds. Currently, operators must disclose whether funds held in player accounts are safeguarded in case of insolvency, including the level of protection provided. This information must be available to customers at the time of their first deposit.
From October 31, any operator that does not offer protection for customer funds in the event of insolvency must actively remind users every six months of this status. The UKGC classifies protection levels into four categories: “not protected – no segregation,” “not protected – segregation of customer funds,” “medium protection,” and “high protection.”
“While there is no legal duty on gambling operators to protect customer funds in the event of insolvency, many of them do so voluntarily,” the Commission stated. “The changes will help consumers understand which operators protect their funds and which do not. This information will support them in making choices about who they gamble with.”
Tim Miller, the UKGC’s Executive Director for Research and Policy
Tim Miller, the UKGC’s Executive Director for Research and Policy, noted the importance of these changes in maintaining transparency across the gambling sector. “These changes illustrate our commitment to ensuring gambling is fair and open by improving consumer empowerment and choice,” Miller said.
“They will help consumers decide on deposit limits, enable them to keep track of their spending, and ensure they are fully aware of what happens to their funds should an operator become insolvent.”
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/02/06/94282-uk-gambling-commission-to-enforce-deposit-limits-statutory-levy-in-industry-overhaul
