New Gambling Checks Arrive as Labour Eyes Rewrite of UK Gambling Laws

Britain’s online gambling industry could be heading for its most significant legislative overhaul in two decades, with new financial risk checks set to reshape player protection while Labour MPs call for a complete rewrite of the country’s gambling laws.

The financial assessments, being introduced by the UK Gambling Commission as part of the Gambling Act Review, are designed to identify customers showing signs of financial harm. But some policymakers argue they represent only the first step in a much wider modernization of gambling regulation.

Speaking at a recent Social Market Foundation event, Labour MP Alex Ballinger, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Reform, said the Gambling Act 2005 no longer reflects today’s gambling market, particularly the rapid growth of online casinos, sportsbooks and digital betting products.

According to Ballinger, future legislation should address how gambling has evolved since the Act was introduced, describing the current framework as only “scratching the surface” of the challenges facing the sector.

Details of the Financial Checks

The Gambling Commission’s new framework introduces two levels of financial assessments for higher-spending online customers. Players recording net losses above £125 over 30 days or £500 within a year will be subject to light-touch vulnerability checks using publicly available information, including bankruptcy and insolvency records.

Higher thresholds trigger enhanced financial risk assessments. Customers losing more than £1,000 within 24 hours or £2,000 across 90 days may be assessed using credit reference agency data to help operators identify signs of financial vulnerability before gambling-related harm escalates.

The system follows pilot testing carried out during 2025 and forms part of the wider package of reforms outlined in the Government’s Gambling Act Review.

More Potential Updates to the Framework

Ballinger has also highlighted concerns around gambling advertising and marketing, arguing that the volume of promotions has become a growing source of public frustration. He also expressed support for proposals from the Social Market Foundation to increase Machine Games Duty on adult gaming centres, although those recommendations have been strongly opposed by industry groups, which warn higher taxes could threaten businesses and encourage customers to migrate to unregulated operators.

While Ballinger acknowledged that replacing the Gambling Act is unlikely during the current parliamentary term, he said work should begin now on developing a modern legislative framework capable of addressing today’s online gambling environment.