DCMS Committee writes to Gambling Commission over plans to implement Financial Affordability Assessments

The letter includes questions about the evidence base and methodology for the decision to introduce Financial Affordability Assessments

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has written to the Gambling Commission to ask about plans to introduce financial affordability checks on bettors.

The letter includes questions about the evidence base and methodology for the decision to introduce Financial Affordability Assessments and the Gambling Commission’s assessment as to the impact of the checks on both consumers and the industry. It also asks about the level of engagement with stakeholders.

Chair of the CMS Committee Dame Caroline Dinenage MP said: “It’s important that people at risk of gambling-related debt receive appropriate support. At the same time any regulatory change must recognise the significant economic contribution made by the industry.

“The Gambling Commission needs to be clear about how the assessments will work and should work closely with bookmakers to ensure new obligations do not impose undue burdens on responsible businesses.”

The letter asks several questions, including whether the Commission will publish the full dataset, evidence base and methodology that informed its decision to proceed with Financial Risk Assessments and to determine the proposed thresholds?

The Commission has announced that implementation groups will be established over the summer to support the next phase of delivery. THE DCMA wants the commission to explain how decisions have been made regarding participation in those groups, including the criteria used to select invitees and the organisations that will be represented.

The Commission has stated that Financial Risk Assessments should reduce the need for document checks for most consumers. The DCMS wants the commission to provide an estimate of whether these changes will result in more or fewer recreational bettors being asked to provide documents or other financial information, compared with existing arrangements?

Some stakeholders have told the Committee that engagement by the Gambling Commission throughout this process has been insufficient. The DCMS wants the commission to set out in detail the consultations, meetings, pilots and other engagement activities undertaken with operators, consumers, sporting bodies and other stakeholders during the development of these proposals.