The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned the Gambling Commission that it may take legal action if the regulator proceeds with its current Financial Risk Assessments, the council said. The warning came before a commission board meeting scheduled for 21 May 2026; the commission said no decisions had been made.
Operators may face legal uncertainty over proposed financial risk checks and their implementation.
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Tim Miller, executive director of the UK Gambling Commission, outlined the regulator’s reform work at the Ethical Gambling Forum in London on 28 April 2026. Miller said the 2025 trial indicated that automated checks could cover 97% of accounts that trigger operator intervention, while less than 3% of active accounts would trigger intervention. From 29 July 2026, operators must promptly remove machines the Commission identifies as non-compliant or lacking an appropriate technical licence.
The Betting and Gaming Council has told SBC News it sees few options but to consider a legal challenge to the full rollout of affordability checks in the UK. The checks' second and strictest tier, Financial Risk Assessments, is due to be introduced, the report said.
The Betting and Gaming Council is considering its options as the UKGC proceeds with financial risk assessments. The regulator announced on 7 July that the assessments were being planned.
The Gambling Commission's acting CEO said financial risk assessments leave more than 97% of accounts untouched. The acting CEO accused opponents of using minor points to pick apart the reforms.
Sarah Gardner, the acting chief executive of the regulator, has pushed back at what she characterised as minor objections being used to dismantle the reforms, according to a news report. She maintains that financial risk assessments leave more than 97% of accounts untouched.
The Gambling Commission will publish evidence on financial risk assessments in autumn. Sarah Gardner told MPs the delay reflects the implementation timetable, the outlet reported.