The UK Gambling Commission has confirmed it will publish the full evidence, data and methodology supporting its controversial Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) later this autumn, following growing pressure from lawmakers and industry stakeholders demanding greater transparency over the policy.
The commitment was made by Acting Chief Executive Sarah Gardner in a response to questions from the cross-party Culture, Media and Sport Committee. The regulator said the detailed consultation response was delayed because key implementation decisions are still being shaped through discussions with gambling operators and credit reference agencies during the summer.
According to Gardner, the Commission wants its final consultation response to reflect feedback from the newly established implementation groups before publishing the complete evidence behind the decision to introduce FRAs.
Financial Risk Assessments are designed to identify high-spending customers who may already be experiencing serious financial difficulties. Rather than relying on customers submitting bank statements or other documents, operators will use information supplied by credit reference agencies through a “frictionless” process that does not affect an individual’s credit score.
The Gambling Commission announced earlier this month that FRAs will be introduced in phases. Initially, only the largest operators will carry out assessments on customers making net deposits exceeding £5,000 within a rolling 24-hour period, with lower thresholds planned in later stages of the rollout. The regulator says fewer than 0.5% of customers exceed the initial threshold, while less than 3% of all gambling accounts are expected to require an assessment once the system is fully implemented.
The policy has attracted strong criticism across the betting sector. Operators, trade bodies and horse racing representatives argue the Commission approved the framework before releasing the full evidence supporting its conclusions. Many have also questioned whether the assessments will truly remain frictionless and warned that additional checks could encourage some bettors to seek unregulated offshore alternatives.
British horseracing has emerged as one of the most vocal opponents of the measures, warning that restrictions on high-value customers could reduce betting revenues that help fund the sport. The British Horseracing Authority has repeatedly called for greater engagement and access to the regulator’s supporting evidence.
Gardner acknowledged those concerns and confirmed that, although racing representatives will not sit on the formal implementation groups, the Commission will continue holding separate meetings with the sector. She noted that the British Horseracing Authority has already agreed to further discussions, adding that maintaining cooperation with racing remains a priority given its close relationship with licensed betting and shared interests in integrity and tackling illegal gambling.
The debate comes during a period of significant change for the Gambling Commission. Former Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes left the regulator earlier this year, while Policy Director Tim Miller has also announced his departure, leaving Gardner to oversee one of the Commission’s most closely watched regulatory reforms.