Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the UK Gambling Commission, recently released a set of important data regarding player account restrictions, which has attracted widespread attention in the industry.
Data shows that out of the 14,923,840 active customer accounts reported in the UK, 643,779 accounts (accounting for 4.31%) are subject to some form of restriction. These restrictions include, but are not limited to, maximum bet limits, account closures, and limited product access, with some accounts even subject to multiple restrictions simultaneously.
The most common restriction is the setting of maximum bet limits, which appears in 2.68% of all accounts, and accounts for 62.17% of restricted accounts, considered by many operators as the main means of implementing restrictions.
The second most common measure is account closure, accounting for 2.23% of all accounts, with a proportion of 51.69% in restricted accounts. However, Rhodes noted that some operators do not report account closure data truthfully for "business reasons".
Additionally, about 0.83% of accounts are set to a 0.00 GBP betting limit, meaning that although the account is not closed, the player is actually unable to place bets, with this proportion reaching 19.15% in restricted accounts. Furthermore, 0.25% of accounts are restricted from accessing specific products or markets, with this type of restriction accounting for 5.72% in restricted accounts.
Rhodes emphasized: "As stated in the 'Gambling White Paper', gambling platforms are not obligated to provide universal service. As long as it is not discrimination based on protected characteristics, businesses have the right to make commercial decisions. Being a 'successful gambler' does not fall within the scope of protection under discrimination laws."
The Commission also requires operators to provide data on customer profits and losses. Results show that 46.78% of customers in restricted accounts are in a profitable state, significantly higher than the 25.42% in active accounts. In terms of loss rates, restricted accounts are at 51.29%, while active accounts are at 72.54%, showing that restricted players generally perform better financially.
However, the Commission also pointed out that excessive restrictions might push users towards unregulated black market platforms, evading supervision and posing new threats to consumer protection, crime prevention, and industry integrity.
Finally, Rhodes stated: "We understand that the frustration of restricted users cannot be completely eliminated through data transparency, but if this is part of the operators' business strategy, they should honestly inform the players. Although we cannot intervene in the business arrangements of operators, we have the responsibility to ensure that gambling activities are open, fair, and effectively identify the risks of illegal gambling."
It is worth noting that the Commission recently announced that it will update the guidelines for penalties against gambling operators to strengthen enforcement effectiveness.
