STOPTOBER: UKGC's new-look rules limits first-time depositors from October

Gambling Commission

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has revealed new rules to be included in the Licence Conditions and Code of Practice (LCCP) that will require users to set deposit limits upon creating an account at an online casino or bookmaker. 

Designed to increase players’ control over deposit limits and enhance transparency related to the protection of customer funds by operators, this protocol sets the standard for all businesses operating in the industry. 

From 31 October, all first-time users must establish deposit limits before processing a debut transaction. As many operators already administer customisable deposit caps, the UKGC views this latest move as an improvement on good-faith services currently in place on select platforms. 

Further, freshly announced controls detail that operators have the responsibility of notifying users to review account settings every six months. It is anticipated that regular manual account reviews will help customers to better understand, change and create refreshed deposit restrictions.

The UKGC also detailed crucial findings uncovered during the research process that led to these changes. According to the regulatory body, recent changes by some operators on how deposit limits are offered could cause confusion among consumers. As a result, the UKGC is preparing a “supplementary consultation on proposals to improve consistency and transparency for consumers on how financial limits work.”

Additional requirements presented within the UKGC’s updated rules stipulate that platforms that do not protect customers’ funds in the event of insolvency, must remind users of this fact once every six months. Under the previous policy, operators were only obligated to describe the level of protection as any of the following:

• Not protected – no segregation
• Not protected – segregation of customer funds
• Medium protection
• High protection

Fresh laws published on 4 February add an extra layer of communication between operators and players concerning funds protections. Although there remains no mandate for operators to protect consumer funds upon insolvency, it is expected that consistent transparency will encourage more companies to develop safeguards for players’ funds. 

Last on the UKGC’s docket of rule alterations is the removal of compulsory donations by operators towards research, prevention and problem gambling treatment organisations. This previously-mandatory charge will be made obsolete by an upcoming statutory levy imposed by the Government, due to go live in April. 

Announced in November, the new levy will place a 1.1% duty on all gross gambling yield (GGY) accrued by online betting operators to fund research, education and treatment (RET) for gambling harm.

Tom Miller, commission executive director of the UKGC, commented on these changes in a press release: “These changes will help consumers decide on deposit limits, enable them to keep track of their spending and ensure they are fully aware of what happens to their funds should an operator become insolvent.”

In his public statement, Miller noted that the UKGC continues to make decisions based on vital data uncovered by a recent white paper that analysed gambling activity and protections in the UK: “We will now continue our work to deliver our remaining white paper commitments, including our programme of evaluation.”

To learn more, visit our responsible gambling  page which also offers resources and advice on where to seek help if needed.