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Have your say on proposals to strengthen age and identity verification for online gambling

05 September 2018

Consumers, gambling operators, and members of the public are being invited to voice their opinion on proposed changes.

The proposals are aimed at further protecting children and keeping gambling fair and safe.

The proposed changes to the Gambling Commission’s Licence conditions and codes of practice would require online gambling businesses to verify:

  • the age of customers before they can deposit money or gamble1, or access play-for-free versions of gambling games
  • the identity of a customer – including their name, address, date of birth and email address – before they are allowed to gamble
  • that the name associated with the customer’s payment method matches the name of the gambling account holder.

Brad Enright, Gambling Commission Programme Director, said: “Our aim is to protect children, reduce gambling-related harm and keep gambling fair and crime-free.

“We would encourage anyone with an interest in gambling matters to read our consultation and ensure they have their say on these proposals.”

Respond to consultation (opens in new tab).

1 Under the current requirements, operators have 72 hours to carry out age verification (AV) checks. The licensee can’t permit customers to withdraw winnings until AV has been completed, and must return a customer’s stake if it turns out they are underage. However, customers are still able to deposit funds and gamble during that 72-hour window.

Note to editors

  1. More information about how we regulate the gambling industry.
  2. Useful statistics on the gambling industry.

Journalists can contact our press office on 0121 230 6700 or email: communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk

For all media enquiries, please contact the Gambling Commission press office.

Last updated: 10 February 2021

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