UK tightens online gambling regulation

The new requirements include:

• ensure consumers are able to directly access 3 months’ worth of account and gambling information, with a minimum period of 12 months available on request
• ensure account and gambling history provides easy to understand totals for a defined period (for example, the ability to be able to view transaction history for the previous two months)
• give consumers access to information about their net deposits (ie the running total of all deposits minus the sum of all withdrawals)
• allow consumers to set financial limits across their entire gambling account as well as individual games.

Sharon McNair, programme director at the Gambling Commission said: “Consumers must be able to make informed decisions about their online gambling activity.

“The findings of our recent consultation indicate that there are differences in approach amongst licensees in relation to the level of information available to their consumers and the ease by which that information is accessible. The new requirements seek to address this and ensure greater consistency in the information available to consumers regardless of who they choose to gamble with.

“Gambling operators must see beyond the bottom line, and ensure both new and existing gambling products are effectively managing the risks to the licensing objectives, keeping gambling safe and fair for all.”

An updated remote gambling and software technical standards is now published, but operators have until 1 April 2018 to ensure the above requirements have been implemented. There are a number of additional requirements concerning information displayed to players that will come into effect 1 October 2017.

McNair added: “Innovation and technological advancement continues to drive growth in the £4.5billion a year online gambling market. We are seeing operators developing new gambling products and technologies every day – something that it is vital to the further advancement of the sector.