New Rules for Player Protection in the UK

The British Gambling Commission (GC) and Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) have introduced new rules to safeguard gamblers from financial harm. These regulations, to be implemented by February 2025, focus on financial checks to prevent players from falling into debt.

Financial Check Rules

• Players losing £500 or more per month will undergo additional checks starting in August. The threshold will decrease to £150 by February 2025.
• Financial risk assessment and creditworthiness checks will also be conducted, affecting around 20% of gamblers.
• From August, gambling providers can access public data to assess possible gambling addiction.
• Changes to online slot features, like a minimum 5-second spin interval and removal of Turbo Mode, will be enforced by February 2025.

Responsibilities of the GC and BGC

The Gambling Commission oversees regulation and licensing of UK gambling establishments, focusing on player protection and combating gambling addiction. The Betting and Gaming Council promotes responsible gaming and safeguards minors in the industry.

In Norway, these roles are managed by the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL), with only whitelisted providers legally offering games to German players. Similar to the UK, Norway enforces a 5-second spin interval rule for online slots since the 2021 gambling treaty.

The effectiveness of these measures in combating gambling addiction in the UK remains to be seen.