I appreciate your concerns over the impact of the Gambling Commission’s consultation, specifically in regard to affordability checks. It is worth noting that the proposals focused on more prescriptive requirements for operators to identify and intervene with customers who may be at risk of harm. This included a specific process for assessing affordability and particular consideration will be given to the spending/loss threshold at which it might be proportionate to require operators to complete affordability checks.
The Gambling Commission's report can be found online at: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/strategy/raising-standards-for-consumers-compliance-and-enforcement-report-2019-20/triggers-and-customer-affordability. As you will see, in response to evidence showing some gamblers were at greater risk of harm during lockdowns, the Commission consequently published new guidance for online operators to help reduce the risk of harm during those unprecedented circumstances.
You may also welcome that the Government committed to striking the right balance between freedom of choice and protection from harm while reviewing the Gambling Act 2005. I assure you that there will be adequate scrutiny on whether this commitment has been delivered when the Government sets out its findings in due course.
