Gambling Minister dismisses £100 loss limits as he lays down SCV gauntlet
Chris Philp MP reveals thinking behind affordability checks and implores UKGC to take a more prominent role
Gambling Minister Chris Philp MP has all but crushed the idea of £100 monthly affordability checks as the review into the Gambling Act 2005 rolls on.
Speaking at the GambleAware annual conference, Philp’s wide-ranging speech touched on several key pillars of the upcoming White Paper, including the debate around single customer view (SCV) and the role of the UKGC.
However, the standout point from the Tory MP’s speech was his apparent confirmation that the floated idea of low-level affordability checks would be dismissed.
In November 2020, the UKGC confirmed it was considering monthly loss limits of £100, an idea also pitched by the Social Market Foundation via author Dr. James Noyes in August of the same year.
However, more than 12 months on, Philp has moved to quash the recommendation.
Philp said: “To be workable and prevent harm, affordability checks need to be proportionate.
“As the Commission has said, demanding payslips or bank statements from every customer spending £100 or so is likely to be unwelcome, disruptive and disproportionate to the risks. But there is a level that is appropriate,” he added.
Philp did not disclose what an appropriate level may look like although it is anticipated to be in the low four figure region.
Philp went on to note that at higher levels of gambling, more intrusive checks would be needed to ensure player safety.
He continued: “I am really keen to explore the role of technology and available data, such as that held by credit reference agencies, to make these sorts of checks work smoothly in a way that is acceptable to customers. At high levels of gambling, more intrusive checks are appropriate.
“Checks based on spend and financial circumstances must supplement rather than supersede all the existing requirements on operators to monitor play data, identify risk and intervene accordingly.”
On the SCV, Philp praised the work of GAMSTOP and implored the wider industry to follow examples from other business sectors to develop the project.
He said: “An SCV solution will protect a person, not just their account with one operator. We know data sharing is well established in financial services.
“I know there are representatives from industry in the audience today, so I want to be clear in my message; now is the time for you to pick up the gauntlet and work closely with both regulators to develop a system that works,” he added.
Finally, Philp went on to note the UKGC would be given further powers to manage the UK market.
Philp said: “It is vital that they have the powers and resources needed to regulate the enormous and innovative gambling industry effectively.
“But on a more day to day basis, I want the Commission to excel in holding the industry to account. The operators who meet and surpass our high standards have nothing to worry about from this. Those who breach the rules do,” he concluded.