Affordability‑Check Adviser Loses Confidence in Productive Dialogue

(AsiaGameHub) –   The much-anticipated affordability checks in the UK have prompted Dr James Noyes to resign from the Gambling Act Review Evaluation Advisory Group in protest against the government, as reported by The Sun.

Noyes was invited to join the Advisory Group by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) due to his expertise in gambling policy and his role as a Senior Fellow at the Social Market Foundation (SMF).

The Advisory Group was established in collaboration with the Gambling Commission to offer technical guidance on the provisions outlined in the 2023 Gambling Act Review White Paper, which Noyes claims has been largely ignored.

No consensus on affordability checks

The tipping point was reached over the controversial affordability checks, which would require bettors flagged by an operator for substantial losses to provide proof of their financial stability, according to the government.

Referred to by the Gambling Commission as Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs), these checks will be triggered once customers exceed a proposed monthly loss threshold of £150.

The Gambling Commission asserts that the checks will be primarily frictionless, causing minimal disruption to affected users, with fewer than 3% of active accounts expected to be impacted.

Alongside most betting industry stakeholders, Noyes has voiced strong criticism of the impending measures, arguing that insufficient evaluation has been conducted on the effectiveness of affordability checks.

In a recent letter addressed to Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Secretary Lisa Nandy, Noyes highlighted concerns about “growing reports of inconsistent data, unclear results, and unwarranted friction” within the pilot scheme.

Despite this, Noyes maintains that he supports the affordability checks, provided they are implemented with proper due diligence and fulfill the promised frictionless approach.

SBC News has contacted Noyes for further comment on his resignation from the Advisory Group.